Recently, Warner University’s Social Welfare Policy class traveled to Tallahassee, FL for the 2023 Legislative Education and Advocacy Days hosted by NASW-FL. LEAD is a two-day event in Tallahassee where students and social work professionals meet to advocate for effective, sustainable policies that are reflective of the NASW Code of Ethics.

Students had the opportunity to meet their legislators and sit in on House and Senate Committee meetings. More than 950 social work practitioners, students and educators attended the event in person and virtually to advocate for the social work profession and the individuals, families and communities we serve. For many students, this experience was their first introduction to the legislative process, and an important macro experience.

Warner students learned through this experience how state and local government can affect their ability to provide services to the populations they serve. Students were particularly interested in bills related to domestic violence and services to children and families.