LEAD 2023 Booklet

Thank you for joining us for Legislative Education and Advocacy Day! If you’ve joined us in past years, welcome back! If this is your first year attending LEAD, you’re in for an exciting day of education and advocacy.

We understand that attending legislative meetings and advocating for legislation can be intimidating, especially if this is all new to you. However, there is no reason to worry. Legislators want to hear what their constituents have to say. Your voice matters, and we hope that Legislative Education and Advocacy Day will help you better understand how social workers elevate society!

We encourage you to look through the materials in the following pages to familiarize yourself with the bill we are advocating for. If you still have questions, please feel free to find a sta member or volunteer, we are here to help you have a successful day.

LEAD 2023

AGENDA

March 21, 2023

Tuesday, March 21st - LEAD Day - Zoom

8:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Legislative Visits – Meet with your Legislator

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

LEAD Rally

Webinar Schedule for the week

Program runs from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. daily

Up to 6 CEUs if CE credit option purchase.

Zoom link is the same for all webinars.

Tuesday, March 14th

LEAD Logistics and How/Why We Advocate

Wednesday, March 15th

Best Practices in Communicating with Elected O icials

Thursday, March 16th

Panel Discussion: Social Workers in Government Roles (featuring Rep. Aerion Abney)

Friday, March 17th

The Importance of Advocacy

Monday, March 20th:

Deep Dive on the LEAD Issue: Funding for Behavioral Health and Workforce Development

NASW-PA PACE Committee

The Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) Committee is the political action committee of NASW, dedicated to advancing social workers’ values and public policy goals in campaigns, elections and building political relationships with elected o icials. NASW-PA PACE evaluates Pennsylvania legislative candidates as well as the gubernatorial candidates in respect to social work values and professional issues through several means. NASW-PA PACE uses your contributions to help elect candidates who will advance the profession and advocate for social justice.

Interested in becoming involved? Contact Johanna Byrd at jbyrd.naswpa@socialworkers.org – Learn more about NASW-PA PACE Committee online at www.nasw-pa.org/pace

NASW-PA Legislative Committee

The NASW-PA Legislative Committee is a new committee that examines NASW-PA’s legislative agenda and evaluates proposed legislation in relation to the interests of professional social work and the clients we serve. The committee recommends to the Board and others to take a position on certain bills of interest, whether it be to support, oppose, or remain neutral. This information is then used by our sta and lobbying team to inform our actions in the legislative arena.

If you have an interest in becoming involved with the Legislative Committee, contact Johanna Byrd at jbyrd.naswpa@socialworkers.org

Interested in joining one of these or any other committee? Go to https://www.nasw-pa.org/page/volunteer to learn more.

Whatistheadvocacyfocusofthisyear’sLEAD?

Thisyear,weareadvocatingtoreleaseandspendthe$100millionthatwasallocatedlast yeartoadultbehavioralhealth.Thisincludes$37milliontosupportbehavioralhealth professionalsinrecruitmentandretention,$39milliontoexpandcapacityandimprove servicedelivery,$23.5milliontoimprovecriminaljusticeandpublicsafetysystems,and $500Ktoevaluatetheimpactofprojectssupportedbytheone-timefunding.This allotmentisthefulfillmentoftherecommendationsoftheBehavioralHealthCommission, soisbasedonin-depthevaluationanddiscussionfromagroupofexpertsinthefield.

Whatisthehistoryofthebill?

Act54of2022createdtheBehavioralHealthCommissiononAdultMentalHealth,tasked withrecommendingtotheGeneralAssemblyhowtospend$100millioninone-timeARPA funding.TheCommissionsubmittedtheirrecommendationstotheGeneralAssemblyin October2022andsincethen,nothinghasmovedforward.Wehaveuntil2024toallocate thesefundsand2026forthefundstobespentorthefundswillbereturnedtotheFederal Government.ItisimperativethatthisfundinggetspassedsothatPennsylvanianscanget thehelptheysodesperatelyneed.

Whydoesthisnothaveabillnumber?CanIreadthetextofthebill?

Asthisisonlythestartofthe2023-2024sessionofthePennsylvaniaGeneralAssembly,the billisstillintheprocessofbeingdraftedandcollectingco-sponsorsinboththeHouseand theSenate.Youcanreadtheco-sponsormemos,butthebillitselfiscurrentlyunavailable tothepublic.Itwillnotacquirebillnumbersuntilitisofficiallyfiled.

Whatisourmessageand/orourask?

Primarily,ourmessageistheimportanceofreleasingthesefundsinatimelymannerto ensuretheyareutilizedtobenefitadultmentalhealthinPennsylvania,andarenot returnedtotheFederalGovernment.However,forthoseanyonewhoappearsfriendlyto thecauseinyourmeetings,askthemtoconsiderco-sponsoring.Todoso,membersofthe HousewouldreachouttoRep.MikeSchlossberg’sofficeandmembersoftheSenate wouldconnectwiththeofficeofSen.MarieCollett.

HowdoIknowwhatappointmentstogotoandwhentheyare?

WehaverequestedappointmentswiththeRepresentativeandtheSenatorthatrepresent thedistrictswherethecollegesanduniversitiesarelocatedwithschoolsofsocialwork. YoushouldexpecttogototheHouseandSenateappointmentassociatedwithyour universityortheclosesttowhereyoulive.TheappointmentsandtheZoomlinkswill continuetobeaddedtotheLEADAttendeesiteand/orupdatedaswereceivelastminute changesorcancellations.

CanIgotootherappointments?

Yes!Additionalattendance,whilealwayswelcome,isparticularlyencouragedinthose appointmentswherewemaynothavestudentsattendingfromtheschoollisted.These willbenotedonthesite.

Whyaren’tweadvocatingforsomethingelse?IsthisallthatNASW-PA isworkingon?

ThisbillisonlyonesmallpartoftheNASW-PAlegislativeagendaandouradvocacyefforts, buthasbeendeemedasthemostsignificantandtimelyissuewhereyouradvocacyefforts willmakethegreatestimpact.Thisdecisionismadeinconsultationwithourlobbying teamandourLegislativeCommittee.

Talking Points/Messaging

OVERALL MESSAGE:

In 2022, the General Assembly agreed to allocate $100 million of the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds given to Pennsylvania for the purpose of improving the adult behavioral health system in the Commonwealth. That resulted in Act 54, which created the Behavioral Health Commission, and the recommendations they made. Now, it is imperative that this funding get passed so that Pennsylvanians can get the help they need. The bill, currently in co-sponsor memos from Rep. Schlossberg and Sen. Collett, will take the recommendations of the Behavioral Health Commission and create a commission that will meet long-term to continue to address mental health needs. According to ARPA, Pennsylvania must allocate the funds no later than 2024 and must spend the money no later than 2026, so time is of the essence or the money will be returned to the Federal Government.

Sen. Scavello

Ask your Representative and Senator to please consider co-sponsoring this important legislation!

TALKING POINTS:

• TheBehavioralHealthCommissionwasmadeupofexpertsinthementalhealthfieldandtheir recommendationsweredesignedtomakethegreatestamountofimpactwiththefundsgiven.Althoughnot sufficienttofixalltheproblems,itisdefinitelyastepintherightdirection.

• Long-term,additionalfundingwillbeneededfromrecurringrevenuesources,butit’salsoimportanttouse thisfederalfundingtothebenefitoftheCommonwealthanditsresidents.

• Alargeportionwillgotorecruitmentandretentionoftheworkforce,whichassocialworkerswearewell awareofcurrentshortagesinourfield.(Agoodopportunitytotalkaboutchallengesyoufaceinyour professionalcareer,studentloans,salaryissuesinsocialwork,etc.)

• ExpeditepassagetoensurethemoneyisspentbeforereturningtotheFederalGovernment!

Rep. Kosierowski

Prime Sponsor, HB 2320

Prime Sponsor, SB 706

MAKING AN IMPACT in the lives of others

Experience our high-quality social work program for students in the region and beyond.

• BSW and MSW available on campus

Sen. Scavello

• BSW degree completion program in Harrisburg

• MSW online option

ACCREDITED BY THE COUNCIL ON SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION

Department of Social Work and Gerontology

BSW • MSW

begins right here.

Geisinger Marworth has been named the #1 treatment center in Pennsylvania. Make the best choice in treatment for alcohol or drug dependency. Geisinger Marworth offers personalized residential and outpatient programs for adults at our serene campus in northeast Pennsylvania. We involve the family and have specialized programs for healthcare and uniformed professionals. Using state-of-the-art therapies, recovery at Geisinger Marworth is

800-442-7722

marworth.org

Prime Sponsor, SB 706

2023

Conference Theme & Rationale:

• BreaksBarriersthatpreventpeopleandcommunitiesfromthriving!

• Embodiessocialworkerscommitmenttoempoweringindividuals,families, communitiesandourgreatersocietytoovercomehurdlespreventingtheir achievingbetterwell-being.

• Continuesstrivingforchangetomakeoursocietyabetterplacetolive,including livablewages,improvedworkplacesafety,andsocialsafetynetprogramswhich assistintheameliorationofpoverty,hunger,andhomelessness.

2023

Conference Student

Opportunities:

• PresentapostershowcasingyourresearchatourBSW|MSW|PhD|DSW| StudentPosterPresentationsMondayOctober23,2023

• NetworkwithfellowstudentsandprofessionalsfromalloverPennsylvania

• Participateinastudent-focusedworkshoptrack

• Volunteeropportunitiesforstudentmemberstoreceivediscounted conferenceregistration

• Learnandconnectwithjobandgraduateprogramopportunitiesatour ExhibitorHallandRecruitmentFairTuesdayOctober24,2023

2023

Conference Student

Opportunities:

Students and recent graduates (up to 2 years post-graduation) are welcome to submit.

Deadline for submission: 10/9/23.

Submission format:

1.Your name

2.University / College a iliate

3.Program level: BSW, MSW, PhD, DSW

4.Faculty liaison with credentials

5.Title of poster presentation

6.Abstract (100 words)

WHEN: October 22 - 25, 2023

WHERE: Kalahari Resort and Conventions, Pocono Manor, PA

Suggested research topics for poster presentations

◦ Qualitative

◦ Quantitative

◦ Needs Assessment

◦ Macro Social Work

7.Recorded video of your presentation (Helps selection committee understand your research)

To submit your Poster Presentation: https://www.nasw-pa.org/page/2023confposters

LEARN

Celebrate March Social Work Month with 50% o NASW-PA Store

Apparel, Desktop Items, Drinkware and Kitchen items from the NASW-PA Store. Use Special code LEAD2023. Code only available for March 1 – 31, 2023. Excludes Grad Shipping Cord, Licensure Manual. Shop NASW-PA Store & get your social work swag well supplies last!

Small snap shot of the NASW-PA store pictured above with some of our sta and members favorite items!

STARTING SOON: NASW-PA Student Committee

We are looking for representatives from all Pennsylvania social work programs. Members will help coordinate NASW-PA student related activities, programs, and events. If you’re interested in learning more or would like to sign up, contact Rachel Rhodes at rrhodes.naswpa@socialworkers.org