NASW Needs Memorial Day Recess Visits to Members of Congress!

Dear Social Workers:

Since January, things have been moving fast both on Capitol Hill and in NASW’s Government Relations Department. President Bush announced his plans for Welfare Reauthorization in February and his support for Mental Health Parity in April. NASW opposes the proposal that President Bush announced for Welfare. Although, NASW stands behind the President in support of full mental health parity, the specifics have yet to be announced by the White House and Congress.

At the end of this month, your Member of Congress will be back in their District office for the Memorial Day Recess, May 25-June 1, 2002. NASW would like you to take advantage of this opportunity to meet with your elected officials regarding the impact these two pieces of legislation will have on their constituents. Since Welfare has been voted on in the House, this issue should only be discussed with Senators; and, Mental Health Parity needs to only be discussed with Representatives. NASW will provide all participants with a legislative information package that you can take to the meeting. The package will include:

• Lobbying Do’s and Don’ts
• Talking Points on the legislative issues
• Fact Sheets on the issues to give to their Member of Congress
• Follow-up Form to be given back to NASW after the meeting
• Additional Resources

Local advocacy is the key to getting the attention of Members of Congress on issues. One visit, your visit will make a difference in helping NASW advance its legislative agenda. Because many social workers work directly or indirectly with populations affected by both of these important pieces of legislation, NASW wants to ensure that social workers’ voices continue to be heard!

If you do not think that you will be able to set up a meeting, the act of calling and requesting a meeting will also be noted. Public officials take notice when several of their constituents call about the same issue. Several people in a community requesting a meeting on the same issues alert elected officials of its importance. If you have questions on scheduling an appointment with your legislators, please visit www.socialworkers.org/advocacy/welfare/toolkit/meeting.asp.

Thank you for being a partner in social work advocacy!