Advocate for change in reproductive, criminal, and behavioral health justice!
As social workers, it is important to understand systemic issues and how they affect our communities, and to advocate for policy change. Social work advocacy can range anywhere from small-scale actions to legislation change at the local, state, and national level. On August 10th, professionals in the social work field are invited to lead state-level policy change with NASW-CA at Social Workers L.E.A.D.
At Social Workers L.E.A.D., social workers will be on the forefront of advocating for policies that positively impact our profession and the people we serve. We are proud to announce the three bills that we will be advocating for alongside you this Summer, and look forward to teaching social workers throughout the state to use their expertise and influence to fight for social justice and equity through advocacy.. For our inaugural Social Workers L.E.A.D. event, join us in supporting:
- AB 2091 (Bonta) Reproductive Health and Privacy
Ensures out of state subpoenas are not granted if they seek information on a patient who received reproductive healthcare in California. By doing this, California will protect the medical privacy of those patients who may be targeted under other states’ laws which restrict abortions.
- AB 2167 (Kalra) Crimes: Alternatives to Incarceration
Requires a court to consider alternatives to incarceration, including, collaborative justice court programs, diversion, restorative justice, and probation. The bill would additionally state the intent of the Legislature that the disposition of any criminal case use the least restrictive means available.
- SB 1002 (Portantino) – Direct Access to LCSWs Under Workers’ Compensation
Enables injured workers to seek immediate mental and behavioral health care from a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSWs) within the workers’ compensation system, by authorizing medical provider networks to add LCSWs as providers.
These bills are issues that matter to our field, and we look forward to your participation in ensuring that social work voices are heard in state-level policy change.
Please email contact@naswca.org with any questions.
