A Look At Social Work Lobby Day 2024

This week's blog is a combination of thoughts from the KSCSW practicum students and what Lobby Day meant to them this year:

Every Day is Lobby Day in Social Work (Post 1)
Every year on Social Work Lobby Day, Kentucky social workers and social work students assemble at our state capitol in Frankfort to talk about policy, and to make our voices heard. Much of the work we do day-to-day is dependent on having laws and policy that support our mission to empower people who are vulnerable, and to improve the well-being of individuals as well as society as a whole. Some of the bills put forth in our current legislative session even impact our ability to learn, to teach others, and to advocate for our communities.
The legislative process is complicated and challenging to navigate. Even when we do everything we can to be present and navigate the process within the rules, legislation may not be what we want. Laws that are harmful to our profession, or pose harm to the communities we serve, will pass out of committee and onto the House and Senate floors, and may even be voted into law by our elected officials.
When one political party has a supermajority, as the Republican party currently does in the Kentucky legislature, they have the power to come together and pass any legislation they all agree on. As social workers, we must continue to engage our legislators not just on lobby day, and not just about bills that aren’t yet law, but year-round, to let them know how their policies are impacting Kentuckians.

Through the eyes of a MSW student (Post 2)
As a first year MSW student completing my practicum with KSCSW, I wanted to share a bit about my first ever Social Work Lobby Day.
I carpooled with a colleague, and we arrived early in the morning to make sure we could find parking. After connecting with other social workers in the Annex cafeteria, the first thing we did was go to a committee hearing where two bills relevant to our clients and our profession were being presented.
The first, Senate Bill 240, would allow foster parents who telework to be eligible for child-care benefits. Senator Armstrong (District 19) presented the bill, with testimony from an aspiring foster parent who telecommutes. After the Senator and the witness spoke, the committee chair opened for comments from individuals who had signed up to speak in this committee session. These folks, both licensed clinical social workers, had no opposition to the bill. The committee approved the bill unanimously with 8 votes to move ahead to the Senate. The second bill, Senate Bill 255, would establish legal standards around telehealth provided by social workers, despite the fact that the Kentucky Board of Social Work has already established regulatory standards. Senator Adams (District 36) presented the bill, along with testimony from an individual representing the Children’s Alliance. After the Senator and witness spoke, the committee chair did not open for comments from individuals who had registered to speak. In its current draft, the bill would present multiple challenges for social workers, and for the Kentucky Board of Social Work, but the committee chair did not allow anyone to voice opposition or concerns about the bill. The committee approved the bill unanimously with 8 votes to move ahead to the Senate.
While legislators may not always give us the opportunity to speak, that does not mean we will be silent. After the committee meeting, board members from KSCSW gathered to draft a letter opposing the bill.
Later that day, social workers and social work students from all over Kentucky gathered in the Capitol rotunda for a rally. Our professional organizations honored several Social Justice Stars, including:
 First Lady Britainy Beshear,
 Ethan Almighty and his person, for speaking out about the fact that individuals who
abuse animals also abuse people.
 Ethan B for his work related to rescue pets.
 Representative Lisa Willner and Representative Lindsey Burke as the only licensed
mental health professionals in the General Assembly.
 Darlene Thomas, MSSW of Greenhouse 17 for her advocacy for survivors of intimate
partner abuse.
 Pastor Edward L. Palmer Sr. for his work across Kentucky related to diversity, equity and
inclusion.
Governor Andy Beshear also spoke and thanked social workers for our contributions.

The rally in the rotunda was a fun opportunity for social workers to gather in solidarity and celebrate leaders in our community. It takes a lot of work and coordination to bring all of these people together, and it is very much worth it. Throughout the day, I found myself reflecting on how the Capitol is our building as Kentuckians. It is our house. The legislators sponsoring bills and voting for or against bills are elected officials who are there to serve us. The elegance, classic architecture, marble hallways and tall ceilings of the building can feel intimidating. But we belong there, and our voices do too.

Through the eyes of a BSW student (Post 3)
Social work lobby day was a very fun and rewarding experience. I was able to witness bills being passed, as well as the process of advocating for bills that I am opposed to. It was nice to see social workers come together as a team and recognize others who are active in the community for their hard work in bringing positive change and awareness to several situations. I felt honored to be able to speak in front of all social workers and students across the state by introducing myself and expressing my goals as a future social worker. Finally, it was very inspiring to hear how Governor Andy Beshear recognized and appreciated all social workers and his goals for them in the future.