LEAD 2023 Booklet

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FUNDING FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

Agenda

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NASW-PA PACE & Legislative Committee

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FAQ

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Talking Points/Messaging

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Stories from Social Workers

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NASW-PA 2022 Conference

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Student Roundtable

Find out more information on the LEAD 2023 Attendee page. You will find resources

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 staff member or volunteer, we are here to help you have a successful day.

Thank you to our 2022-2023 Annual Sponsors!

as well as a list of advocacy tasks for the day! https://www.nasw-pa.org/ page/LEADAttendee

Share your photos from the day and let the world know how

Students, join our student Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/pasws

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All student members of NASW-PA get a free graduation cord - just pay shipping!

Shipping is just $5! https://bit.ly/3r2mjWm

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 Officials 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

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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 officials. 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 staff 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.

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FAQ What is the advocacy focus of this year’s LEAD? This year, we are advocating to release and spend the $100 million that was allocated last year to adult behavioral health. This includes $37 million to support behavioral health professionals in recruitment and retention, $39 million to expand capacity and improve service delivery, $23.5 million to improve criminal justice and public safety systems, and $500K to evaluate the impact of projects supported by the one-time funding. This allotment is the fulfillment of the recommendations of the Behavioral Health Commission, so is based on in-depth evaluation and discussion from a group of experts in the field.

What is the history of the bill?

Act 54 of 2022 created the Behavioral Health Commission on Adult Mental Health, tasked with recommending to the General Assembly how to spend $100 million in one-time ARPA funding. The Commission submitted their recommendations to the General Assembly in October 2022 and since then, nothing has moved forward. We have until 2024 to allocate these funds and 2026 for the funds to be spent or the funds will be returned to the Federal Government. It is imperative that this funding gets passed so that Pennsylvanians can get the help they so desperately need.

Why does this not have a bill number? Can I read the text of the bill?

As this is only the start of the 2023-2024 session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the bill is still in the process of being drafted and collecting co-sponsors in both the House and the Senate. You can read the co-sponsor memos, but the bill itself is currently unavailable to the public. It will not acquire bill numbers until it is officially filed.

What is our message and/or our ask?

Primarily, our message is the importance of releasing these funds in a timely manner to ensure they are utilized to benefit adult mental health in Pennsylvania, and are not returned to the Federal Government. However, for those anyone who appears friendly to the cause in your meetings, ask them to consider co-sponsoring. To do so, members of the House would reach out to Rep. Mike Schlossberg’s office and members of the Senate would connect with the office of Sen. Marie Collett.

How do I know what appointments to go to and when they are?

We have requested appointments with the Representative and the Senator that represent the districts where the colleges and universities are located with schools of social work.

You should expect to go to the House and Senate appointment associated with your university or the closest to where you live. The appointments and the Zoom links will continue to be added to the LEAD Attendee site and/or updated as we receive last minute changes or cancellations.

Can I go to other appointments?

Yes! Additional attendance, while always welcome, is particularly encouraged in those appointments where we may not have students attending from the school listed. These will be noted on the site.

Why aren’t we advocating for something else? Is this all that NASW-PA is working on?

This bill is only one small part of the NASW-PA legislative agenda and our advocacy efforts, but has been deemed as the most significant and timely issue where your advocacy efforts will make the greatest impact. This decision is made in consultation with our lobbying team and our Legislative Committee.

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

Prime Sponsor, SB 706

TALKING POINTS: • The Behavioral Health Commission was made up of experts in the mental health field and their recommendations were designed to make the greatest amount of impact with the funds given. Although not sufficient to fix all the problems, it is definitely a step in the right direction.

• Long-term, additional funding will be needed from recurring revenue sources, but it’s also important to use this federal funding to the benefit of the Commonwealth and its residents.

• A large portion will go to recruitment and retention of the workforce, which as social workers we are well aware of current shortages in our field. (A good opportunity to talk about challenges you face in your professional career, student loans, salary issues in social work, etc.)

• Expedite passage to ensure the money is spent before returning to the Federal Government!

Rep. Kosierowski Prime Sponsor, HB 2320

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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 Prime Sponsor, SB 706 • MSW online option Learn more by scanning the QR, visit

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Department of Social Work and Gerontology BSW • MSW

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2023 Conference Theme & Rationale: • Breaks Barriers that prevent people and communities from thriving!

• Embodies social workers commitment to empowering individuals, families, communities and our greater society to overcome hurdles preventing their achieving better well-being.

• Continues striving for change to make our society a better place to live, including livable wages, improved workplace safety, and social safety net programs which assist in the amelioration of poverty, hunger, and homelessness.

2023 Conference Student Opportunities: • Present a poster showcasing your research at our BSW | MSW | PhD | DSW | Student Poster Presentations Monday October 23, 2023 • Network with fellow students and professionals from all over Pennsylvania

WH E N:

October 22 - 25, 2023

WHE R E : Kalahari Resort and Conventions,

• Participate in a student-focused workshop track • Volunteer opportunities for student members to receive discounted conference registration

Pocono Manor, PA

• Learn and connect with job and graduate program opportunities at our Exhibitor Hall and Recruitment Fair Tuesday October 24, 2023

2023 Conference Student Opportunities: Suggested research topics for poster presentations

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

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Qualitative

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Quantitative

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Needs Assessment

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Macro Social Work

4. Faculty liaison with credentials 5. Title of poster presentation 6. Abstract (100 words) 7. Recorded video of your presentation (Helps selection committee understand your research) To submit your Poster Presentation: https://www.nasw-pa.org/page/2023confposters

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LE A R N MORE AND GET UPDATE S : www.nasw-pa.org/conference

Celebrate March Social Work Month with 50% off 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 staff 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 09