Social Workers Plan March on State House

Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – Indiana Chapter Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD) Indianapolis, IN – February 1, 2008 - Five hundred social work practitioners, students, and educators from across the state of Indiana will gather in Indianapolis on Wednesday, February 6, 2008 from 8:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Sheraton City Centre Hotel in Indianapolis and then march to the State House. This marks the eighth year of this effort to influence public policy. This year we will focus on Children & Families, Health Care, Affordable Housing/Foreclosure/Property Taxes, Political Action, Reinvestment in the Social Work Profession and other issues involving human service agencies. Though this session is short, a number of key issues are under consideration that could impact social service agencies and the many clients social workers serve. The mission of NASW’s Legislative Education and Advocacy Day is to promote social justice by facilitating Indiana social workers maximum participation in the legislative process. "The ultimate goal of NASW’s Legislative Education and Advocacy Day is to create community and legislative environments in which social work values are adopted and implemented by policy makers in Indiana," stated Dr. Marion Wagner, a social work educator and activist. Social Workers will march around the State House at 11:45 a.m. Social Work practitioners, students, and educators will carry signs and chant before entering at the south and east sides. The “Rally” will be held in the North Atrium at 12:00 noon where legislators will address key legislative issues being considered this session. After the rally, practitioners, students and educators will meet with their individual legislators in small constituency groups. The National Association of Social Workers – Indiana Chapter, Indiana University School of Social Work, Indiana Association for Social Work Educators and many other supporters with a vested interest in social justice concerns and issues sponsor LEAD. The program is an extension of the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics and the Council on Social Work Education’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards on Social Work Education. Both organizations mandate social workers participate in public policy making processes in collaboration with the vulnerable populations they serve.