Advocacy and Outreach Committee

BPD, Los Angeles, October 25, 2006

Joan Zlotnik gave a presentation on the Social Work Reinvestment Initiatives.  Since one of the provisions is more funding for social work education and loan forgiveness, the committee discussed ways of encouraging BSW programs and students to get involved. State NASW offices will be developing state Social Work Reinvestment Initiatives, and BSW programs are encouraged to work at the state level to pass the initiatives.

Policy and Practice classes might consider taking on research projects related to such initiative areas as workforce issues, licensure, Title I’VE, loan forgiveness, etc.  The federal government provided stipends for social work education in the 1960s and 1970s which encouraged the development of many BSW programs. Watch in January for more information at the national level.

Kara Ullestad, the 2006 Summer Policy Fellow, presented at a session at BPD. The 2007 Summer Policy Fellow application will be distributed through various means to BSW programs.  BSW students should be encouraged to apply.

The committee sponsored a joint presentation with the Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research (IASWR) and Influencing State Policy (ISP).  Attendees suggested more BPD conference sessions on social work advocacy and especially presentations on getting programs and students more directly involved in advocacy.