KSCSW and NASW to Host Open Forum for Legislative Candidates Oct. 3

9/10/2018

Do you know which legislative candidates you are going to vote for in the upcoming statewide elections? Are you wondering what positions candidates take on specific issues affecting the lives of clinical social workers and the clients we serve? If so, be sure to attend the special legislative forum that KSCSW and NASW will host on Wednesday, October 3. Open Forum: Electing Decision Makers with Clarity on Social Issues will begin at 6 pm at the Farish Theater of the Central Library in Lexington.

The NASW Code of Ethics clearly states that, "Social workers should be aware of the impact of the political arena on practice and should advocate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social conditions in order to meet basic human needs and promote social justice." Voting is the most essential form of advocacy, but it's not always easy to find out exactly where a candidate stands on policies that shape Kentucky's efforts to "meet basic human needs and promote social justice." This forum will give you the chance to ask questions and get answers directly from the candidates themselves.

KSCSW and NASW have invited all incumbent and challenging legislative candidates from districts in Fayette and surrounding counties to attend this open forum. The table below shows all the candidates who have been invited, highlighting those who have agreed to participate in green and those who have declined in red. This table will be updated all the way up to the event, so check back often to see the status of candidates from your district.

Take Action Now!
You don't have to wait until October 3 to begin participating in the Open Forum. If any candidates from your legislative districts listed below have not responded to their invitations to the October 3 forum -- or if they have declined to attend -- we encourage you to reach out to them directly and encourage them to participate. And if you have any questions you would like to ask a specific candidate, or all of them, please share those questions in the Comments section of this blog post. We invite KSCSW members to share all their election-related thoughts, questions, and concerns with each other in the Comments section.

Open Forum: Electing Decision Makers with Clarity on Social Issues
Candidates Invited
(Green = Accepted Invitation; Red = Declined Invitation; * = Incumbent)

Senate Candidates
District 12: Paula Sester-Kissick  (D) vs. Alice Forgy Kerr* (R)
District 13: Reggie Thomas (D) vs. Unopposed
District 22: Carolyn Dupont (D) vs. Tom Buford* (R)
District 28: Denise Gray (D) vs. Ralph Alvarado* (R)
District 36: Sheri Donahue (D) vs. Julie Raque Adams* (R)
 
House or Representatives Candidates
District 39: Russ Meyer* (D) vs. Unopposed
District 45: Josh Hicks (D) vs. Stan Lee* (R)
District 56:  Joe Graviss (D) vs. Daniel Fister
District 62: Jenifer Urie (D) vs. Phillip Pratt (R)
District 72: Emily Ferguson (D) vs. Matthew Koch (R)
District 75: Kelly Flood* (D) vs. Unopposed
District 76: vs. Ruth Palumbo* (D) vs. Richard Marrs (R)
District 79: vs. Susan Westrom* (D) vs. Josh Irvine (R)
District 78: Gregory Coulson (D) vs. Mark Hart* (R)

1 Comment

Jennifer Connor Godbey

9/19/2018 09:28:19 pm

Here are the questions/ topics that have been submitted. We are looking forward to our forum in two weeks.

Dear Candidates and Legislators,

Thank you so much for agreeing to be part of our Open Forum in Lexington, KY on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 from 6-8pm at the Farish Theatre.  Below are questions posed by various KSCSW and NASW-KY members. We may not get to all of them on Wednesday night, but we will try to cover what we can. Melissa Johnson, the current President of the national Clinical Social Work Association will be in town to moderate. Each candidate will have an opportunity to share his/her views. We also plan to incorporate audience questions or clarifications.

1. Many are concerned about the condition of our foster care and adoption services in KY as the numbers of children have increased to over 9500.  KY is #2 in child neglect and abuse in the country. We are seeing the impact of our opioid crisis on these increasing numbers.  What is your position on how we can reduce the numbers of children awaiting placements or permanent homes or help families impacted by addiction? 

2. Immigration is a hot button topic in our state and country, and uncertainty around DACA and immigration/ refugee policies have impacted in all those living in Kentucky.  What are your thoughts about how Kentucky can address this issue?

3. Environmental, economic and social justice issues have been raised by those in low socio-economic and rural communities. Many have concerns about the loss of good jobs in the coal industry and the impact on the land.  What are your views about climate control, economic policy and social/income inequality and what might be helpful for our state?

4. There was a recent poll about the Medicaid waiver.  What are your opinions about the work requirements and how it will impact vulnerable Kentuckians?

5. Our teachers have been very active in advocating for our children and adolescents against the backdrop of such heated discussions as charter schools and tax credits that will have a significant impact on some of our urban and rural schools.  Some of the safety issues have also brought attention to the need for increased mental health support and resources for our youth as issues such as substance abuse, trauma, and domestic violence impact our students.  What is your position on our public education and charter schools?

6. In addition to other minority populations, We are concerned for our LGBTQ populations.  Conversion therapy and the threat against our confidentiality as therapists working with transgender youth have been hot button topics in surrounding states.  How will you advocate to protect our LGBTQ populations if these issues are brought to you as a representative?

7. Medical marijuana has been a discussion for decades in our state.  It is setting the stage for a very heated dialogue this session.  Where do you stand on this issue?

8. Criminal justice reform is a broad and critically important, yet divided, topic here in Kentucky.   What do you think are the most important issues facing our criminal justice system and what are your priorities to addressing these issues?

KSCSW Blog

KSCSW and NASW to Host Open Forum for Legislative Candidates Oct. 3

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