Legislative Advocacy and Social Work Education: Models and New Strategies

Abstract

The National Association of Social Workers promotes legislative advocacy through Lobby Days throughout the country. Yet legislative advocacy can be an under-taught and underutilized skill set for social work students. This article describes a variety of pedagogical models and strategies that social work programs can employ to prepare students for legislative advocacy experiences, including Lobby Days. CSWE’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards are applied to the educational strategies. In addition, practical strategies to prepare for and implement Lobby Day are shared.

KEYWORDS:

• LEAD Day
• legislative advocacy
• Lobby Day
• social work education