Message to social workes from Indiana legislators: Feb. 6, 2008 – “Thank you,” was the resounding message Indiana legislators presented to hundreds of social work students, faculty and other professionals during the annual advocacy day at the Indiana State House.
A huge crowd not only filled 300 chairs set out for them in the north atrium of the State House, but many had to stand while some people even leaned over a balcony railing from the floor above.
The 8th annual LEAD (Legislative Education and Advocacy Day), an event planned by a group of professionals working through the National Association of Social Workers- Indiana Chapter, brought participants from across the state to Indianapolis.
While it is billed as an education day to learn about the legislative process, it had the feel of a pep rally and revival tent meeting rolled into one.
Dr. Katharine Byers of the Indiana University School of Social Work told students it is important “we speak our minds, that we use our social work voices,” to let legislators know what social workers think about bills legislators are considering.
Byers, who is the program director of the Bachelor of Social Work program on the IU Bloomington campus, told the students who hadn’t been to the State House before to be sure to take time to explore the wonderful building.
But in the end, Byers said, dealing with legislators isn’t any different than what social workers do on a daily basis – form relationships.
“Who knows how to develop relationships? Social workers do,” she said. “That’s what we are all about,” Byers said. “We develop relationships with individual people every single day. And legislators are people.”
Legislators in fact lined up to speak to the crowd.
State Rep. John Day, D- Indianapolis, urged them not to let Wednesday’s visit be their last.
He told them they needed to come back in future years to tell legislators of the needs of the people they serve. “Who better knows the needs of children, who better knows the needs of old people in nursing homes,” Day said, citing a litany of people social workers serve.
He recalled a quote from Robert Kennedy who spoke about a chance for “all of us,” to “brighten the future.” Looking out at hundreds of faces, Day said, “Let us do that.”
State Rep. Joe Micon, D-West Lafayette, who has a Master’s of Social Work degree, reminded the audience that while the major issue before the legislature this session is property tax reform, it also is an issue that social workers needs to pay special attention to.
Why? Because part of the reform package calls for decreasing property taxes by increasing the sales tax, Micon said. That in turn can hit low-income people the hardest, he pointed out.
Who better to help protect people from unintended consequences of a reform movement that social workers, Micon asked.
Facing the crowd, including some students who were wearing T-shirts that read, “You are in luck….I’m a social worker,” State Rep. Gregory Porter, D-Indianapolis, told the social work students they were just what Indiana needs – change agents.
“Give yourself a hand,” Porter said as students clapped and whistled in response.
Social workers are devoted to securing justice for everyone, Porter said. “I truly respect and honor that.”
Porter said he had two words he wanted to tell the crowd: “Thank you.”
For more information contact Rob Schneider, Indiana University School of Social Work at (317) 278-0303
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Social workers fill atrium at State House for LEAD
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