As NASW-MO prepares for a hardworking 2023 General Assembly session, here are valuable pieces of information and updates!
We received and analyzed the responses to our survey to set legislative priorities for the 2023 session. Our results indicated that our top three priorities are Health and Behavioral Health, Human Rights, and Children and Youth. Anti-Poverty Efforts was another highly rated issue. Informed by these results, we intend to champion the following issues: 1) Extending postpartum Medicaid coverage, 2) Increasing childcare provider rates and/or subsidies, and 3) Supporting the CROWN Act. This is not the only legislation we will support. General Assembly is a fast-paced time. Our agenda may evolve rapidly. We will be responsive to the opportunities and demands of each day, in line with the ethics of our profession and the will of our membership.
Please know that part of NASW-MO’s legislative agenda will include opposing legislation that harms underrepresented and marginalized communities. Fights over legislative proposals that threaten human rights and dignity can be difficult and frustrating, but we believe giving up is not an option because the health and wellbeing of our neighbors is at stake.
When we identify potentially damaging legislation as a priority, our first aim is to oppose the bill and block its progress. However, we are also realistic about the realm of the possible, and much of our work is modifying or narrowing language to mitigate its negative consequences. We know not every policy debate will end with our preferred outcome. We know sometimes legislation that is not ideal will pass in order to prevent even more harmful bills from moving forward. This work is not easy, but we believe it is core to the values we hold as social workers.
Our experienced lobbying team prepared and presented an advocacy training for members in November. Whether or not you participated, NASW-MO is here to support and guide your skillful efforts in legislative advocacy in line with our priorities. Never hesitate to reach out to me!
Finally, as we enter December, for some this is a time of holidays and opening our homes. For some this is snow and vacation. I wish you a joyful holiday season, if this is a special or sacred time of year for you.
And yet, for some of us, this time is difficult. We have our own histories and personal losses. This time is hard for clients. We might be apart from loved ones or personal observances to be on-call.
I know how significant Compassion Fatigue is within our profession. Many of us experience this daily, across our practice settings. NASW recently put out a new Practice Perspectives specifically on A Look at Compassion Fatigue and Resources for Social Workers as a free and evidence-based brief resource. I encourage you to take a look!
In solidarity.
Cassie E. Brown, MSW, LCSW (she/her/hers)
Executive Director, NASW-MO