No decision about you, without you.
Together, members and staff represent social work in legislative settings, local and national media, and at the forefront of social change. Pursuit of the Chapter advocacy agenda is achieved through advocating directly at the NYS Legislature, government agencies, and other organizations; finding creative sources of funding for professional development opportunities as they relate to the legislative landscape for members; and staffing and assisting the Political Action for Candidate Election committee. At the New York State Chapter, we are here to amplify your voice!
Develop Our Legislative Agenda
Only members are invited to participate and lead on our Advocacy and Government Relations (AGR) Committee. The AGR Committee serves as the backbone of the Chapter’s policy and social justice agenda by defining our legislative agenda, creating an actionable strategy, and mobilizing our membership.
Capitol Action Day
This yearly event mobilizes our members to advocate on the our legislative agenda with policy makers in person and online. Our goal is to give our members the tools they need to advocate for themselves and their clients year round, creating a loud thunder of social work voices that cannot be ignored.
Advance Social Work Through Election
Only members are eligible to sit on the Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) Committee. PACE endorses campaign candidates on behalf of the Chapter, makes financial contributions to candidates who support NASW’s policy agenda, and enhances social workers electoral presence. It is our mission to increase the number of social workers that are elected officials in New York State.
Our legislative priorities are determined by the Advocacy and Government Relations Committee. Click here to learn more about this committee and how you can contribute to this work. Stay tuned to learn more about our 2024-2025 session.
Social Work Salaries
Click here for the position paper
Click here for the 2022 Social Work Salary Analysis Report
Click here for the Social Work Salary Infographic
Social Work Loan Forgiveness
Click here to read the bill text
Click here to read the position paper
Social Work Licensure Requirement
Click here to read the bill text
Increase the Student to Social Worker Ratio
Click here to read the bill text
Home Care Services for Medicaid
Click here to read the bill text
Paid Family Leave Benefits
Click here to read the bill text
Prohibit Evictions Without Just Cause
Click here to read the bill text
Changing the Fees of Our Justice System
Click here to read the bill text
Mandate C.P.S. to Disclose Rights
Click here to read the bill text
2023 Letters to NYS Legislature
Click here for the 2023 Request Letter to the Legislature
Click here for the proposed Budget Cuts
Social Work Salaries
Click here for the position paper
Click here for the 2022 Social Work Salary Analysis Report
Click here for the Social Work Salary Infographic
Social Work Loan Forgiveness
Click here to read the position paper
2023 Letters to NYS Legislature
Click here for the 2023 Request Letter to the Legislature
Click here for the proposed Budget Cuts
Our legislative priorities are issues that impact and intersect with all social workers. Beyond these priorities, we participate in coalitions, partner with organizations, and provide direct comment and recommendations on a variety of issues and bills that are in line with the values of social work. Click the letter title to read the document.
• Memo in Support: New York Healthy Workplace Bill
•Memo in Support: Informed Consent
•Memo in Support: Mental Health Educational Opportunity Program
• Letter of Support: Enacting and Fully Funding the Doctor John L. Flateau Voting
and Elections Database and Academic Center
• Memo in Support: Referrals for Child Support Enforcement for Foster Care Maintenance Payments
•Memo in Support: Employment of Mental Health Professionals by School Districts
• Memo in Support: Family Miranda Rights Act
• Memo in Support: Strengthening New York Paid Medical Leave
•Memo in Support: End Predatory Court Fees Act
•Memo in Support: Restore Home Care Access
•Memo in Support: Good Cause Eviction
•Memo in Support: Social Work Workforce Act
•Social Work Workforce Act Press Release
• Letter to Congress: Increases Domestic and International NDD Funding
• Letter of Support: Family Miranda Rights Act
• Letter of Support: The Child and Family Wellbeing Fund
• Letter of Support: Treatment, Not Jail
• Request for Intervention with Fidelis’ Auditing Practices for Social Work Services
• Memo in Support: Employment of Mental Health Professionals by School Districts
• Memo in Support: Insurance Provisions Increasing Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services
• Letter of Support: Part II Article VII Mental Hygiene Insurance Provisions
• New York Family Professionals for A2886
• NASW-NYS Memo in Support: Jury of Our Peers Act
• NASW-NYS Memo in Support: Family Miranda Rights Act (A1980/S901)
• Letter to the Hill Opposing Student Debt CRA
•Group letter supporting Non-Defense Program Funding
Legislative priorities determined by the Advocacy and Government Relations Committee focus directly on social work practice and workforce. The Chapter works in partnerships and coalitions that advocate for social justice issues that impact the clients and communities we serve, and the systems social workers encounter through their work.
NY Renews
NY Renews is a coalition of over 350 environmental, justice, faith, labor, and community groups, and the force behind the nation’s most progressive climate law. Click here to learn more.
Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice
Katal is building leadership and organizing capacity to end mass incarceration and the drug war, and advance equity, health, and justice for everyone. Click here to learn more. Click here to register for an upcoming Monthly NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call.
PARSE Coalition: Prevent Addiction and Support Recovery in Employment
Committed to creating a culture of recovery-supportive workplaces within New York State that actively develops resources for preventing substance use and addiction. Click here to learn more.
Legal Defense Fund: NYSVRA
The NYVRA builds on the strongest parts of the landmark federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 to protect New York voters against discrimination. Click here to learn more.
JMacForFamilies
JMACforFamilies is a non-profit organization working to dismantle the current child welfare system while simultaneously investing in community support that keeps families together. Click here to learn more. Click here for their presentation with us on Mandated Reporting, to Supporting.
•2024 People's Budget Framework
• NASW-NYS Guide to the 2023 Budget
•LMSW/LCSW Scope of Practice FAQ
• NYS Legislation Relevant to Social Workers
• 2023 Advocacy Toolkit
• Find your Representative
• Voting is Social Work
• Talking to Your Legislator
• FY 2024 Budget Highlights
• 2023 Gubernatorial & Legislative Priorities Expand
Click a below link for a briefing on that topic:
Human Services
Healthcare
Education
Higher Education
Mental Hygiene
Public Safety
State Workforce
FY 2024 Briefing Book- Full Document
FY 2024 New York State Executive Budget: Health and Mental Hygiene Article VII Legislation
Yellow Book: A Review and Analysis of the FY2024 Executive Budget by the NYS Assembly
Blue Book: A Review and Analysis of the FY2024 Executive Budget by the NYS Senate Majority
White Book: A Review and Analysis of the FY2024 Executive Budget by the NYS Senate Minority
The People's Budget: A Budget Analysis and Proposal from the NYS Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus
• Resources for Medicaid Unwinding Expand
Tips and Tools for Social Workers
Key Health Care Policy Dates in Spring 2023
Unwinding and Returning to Regular Operations after COVID-19
NASW Comments on Essential Health Benefits
Telehealth Delivery of Services- NYS Legislation in effect until April 1, 2024
U.S. Department of Labor Flyer Losing Medicaid or CHIP? (dol.gov)
CMS Flyer Have an employee who's losing Medicaid?/¿Tiene un empleado que está perdiendo Medicaid?
Families USA Factsheet: Lost Medicaid or CHIP? Learn How to Stay Covered
CMS article Unwinding Special Enrollment Period (SEP) FAQ
HHS Report from the Office of The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation Medicaid Enrollees Who are Employed: Implications for Unwinding the Medicaid Continuous Enrollment Provision | ASPE (hhs.gov)
Georgetown University Center for Children and Families Unwinding Continuous Coverage Resources and 50-State Unwinding Tracker
U.S. Department of Labor Blog What Does the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Mean for Health Benefits? | U.S. Department of Labor Blog (dol.gov)
Act Now campaigns connect social workers to their legislators through email, phone, and in person to advocate on issues that impact the systems we work in, our practice, clients, and communities. Act Now campaigns rally and mobilize supporters and maximizes the impact of our legislative efforts by amplifying the voices social worker across all levels of government.
These prefilled advocacy letters make it possible for social workers to take immediate action on issues that are reviewed and recommended by a committee of their peers. We encourage you to personalize the letter or script with your relevant experience(s), research, and/or case examples.
Simply click the title of one of our current Act Now campaigns and take 3 minutes to add your name and voice to a chorus of social work advocacy that cannot be ignored.