Working to persuade lawmakers to create, amend, or repeal laws in support of clients or social issues.
Introduction to Legislative Advocacy: An overview of the basics of legislative advocacy, including the role of social workers in the process and the importance of policy change.
Understanding the Political Landscape: An understanding of the political environment in which legislative advocacy occurs, including the role of elected officials, political parties, and special interest groups.
Policy Analysis: A toolkit for conducting policy analysis, including how to identify relevant policies, gather information about their objectives, and assess their effectiveness.
Identifying and Building Coalitions: Strategies for building effective coalitions around policy objectives, including identifying potential allies, building consensus, and mobilizing support.
Mobilizing Grassroots Advocacy: Techniques for mobilizing grassroots advocacy, including how to engage the community in the policymaking process, develop communication strategies, and rally support.
Legislative Process: An understanding of how legislation is created and enacted, including the various stages of the legislative process and the roles of key actors such as committees, chairs, and floor leaders.
Communication Strategies: Effective communication strategies for persuading policymakers, including how to craft messages, frame issues, and build relationships with key stakeholders.
Campaigning and Lobbying: The tools and tactics used in campaigning and lobbying policymakers, including tracking legislation, developing policy briefs, and engaging in direct advocacy.
Advocacy Ethics and Professionalism: An understanding of ethical and professional standards in social work advocacy, including the importance of transparency, accountability, and integrity.
Policy Implementation and Evaluation: Strategies for implementing and evaluating policy changes, including monitoring policy outcomes, measuring the impact of policy changes, and addressing unintended consequences.
Grassroots Advocacy: This type of advocacy involves mobilizing community members to promote a particular policy or issue with the objective of creating change.
Direct Lobbying: This involves engaging directly with policymakers to influence legislation, administrative rule-making, or other government decisions.
Campaign Finance Reform: This focuses on advocating for laws that regulate the role of money in politics to minimize the influence of wealthy individuals and special interest groups.
Environmental Advocacy: This type of legislative advocacy involves advocating for laws and policies that promote environmental protection and conservation of natural resources.
Criminal Justice Reform Advocacy: This includes advocating for changes in the criminal justice system through public education, lobbying, and litigation.
Health Care Advocacy: This type of advocacy deals with advocating for better access to health care for all individuals, regardless of their economic or social status.
Education Advocacy: This involves promoting equitable access to quality education, funding for schools, and state policy changes to improve education outcomes.
Gun Control Advocacy: This type of advocacy centers on advocating for laws that regulate the possession and use of firearms in the United States.
Immigration Advocacy: This involves advocating for policy and legislative changes to promote fair and just immigration policies that treat all immigrants with dignity and respect.
LGBTQ Advocacy: This type of advocacy involves advocating for equal rights and protections for people who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Disability Advocacy: This involves advocating for policy and legislative changes to promote equal rights for people with disabilities.
Child Welfare Advocacy: This type of legislative advocacy involves advocating for policy and legislative changes to improve the safety and well-being of children in the United States.
Housing Advocacy: This focuses on advocating for policies that promote affordable and accessible housing for all individuals, especially those who are low-income or homeless.
Poverty Reduction Advocacy: This involves advocating for policies that address poverty, income inequality, and economic development.
Women’s Rights Advocacy: This involves advocating for policies and legislative changes that promote gender equity and eliminate discrimination against women in all areas of life.
Consumer Advocacy: This type of advocacy involves advocating for consumer protections in areas such as product safety, fiscal transparency, and anti-fraud measures.
Racial Justice Advocacy: This involves advocating for policies and legislation that address systemic racism and promote racial equity in all aspects of society.
Elder Advocacy: This type of advocacy involves advocating for policies and legislation that address the unique needs of older adults, including health care, financial stability, and long-term care.
Animal Welfare Advocacy: This involves advocating for policies and legislation that promote the protection and humane treatment of animals.
Sustainable Development Advocacy: This type of advocacy focuses on advocating for sustainable development practices and policies that promote ecological, economic, and social sustainability.