How to Win Friends & Influence Policymakers:

SSW Advocacy in Action!

SSWAA Government Relations TeamMyrna Mandlawitz, Libby Nealis &

Doug Spohn

Workshop Objectives

Participants will learn About the “why” of Advocacy. About the “how” of Advocacy. What’s happening NOW in

Washington related to SSW. About a first-hand account of how

advocacy should work!

Public Policy Advocacy

What is it…and why is it important?

SSWAA Mission & Vision

Mission:SSWAA empowers school social workers and promotes the profession to enhance the social-emotional growth and academic outcomes of all students. 

Vision:We envision school social work as a valued, integral part of the education of all children, connecting schools, families and communities.

What is Advocacy?

Speaking up for what you believe in.

Mobilization of a network of activists for a common goal.

Civic engagement.

Why is advocacy important?

Laws & regulations affect everyone! Advocates

identify key public policy issues. provide policymakers with accurate

information. give “voice” to those who can’t speak for

themselves. work together to make a difference.

Advocates are Change AgentsAdvocates are Change Agents

We can…..We can…..

Let current policies standLet current policies stand

ORORWork together to affect Work together to affect

changechange

Advocacy…is advocacy…!

Three audience tiers – same advocacy tools!

Local – state – federal (more on this in a little while!) Lawmaking Regulatory Policies & procedures

The “Nitty Gritty”:

Legislative & Regulatory Processes

Local – State – Federal

It’s pretty much the same process at every level!

Important processes: Legislative – enacting the statute (law) Regulatory – Official implementation

rules Guidance and technical assistance –

additional implementation information

AuthorizationAuthorization: Establishing a program : Establishing a program and setting funding limitsand setting funding limits

AppropriationsAppropriations: Providing funds for : Providing funds for authorized programsauthorized programs

Authorizing & Appropriating

Steps in the Legislative Process

Step #1: An issue is raised. Initiated by the policymaker Initiated by a constituent Initiated by a “special interest”

Step #2: Policymaker introduces a bill. Bill number assigned. Referred to committee(s) of jurisdiction.

Next Steps Step #3: Related activities

Committee hearings may be held. At the legislature In the field

Step #4: Bill markup Committee considers/amends the bill. Bill is reported out (moves forward or is

killed). Committee report written (majority &

minority).

And More Steps

Step #5: Bill placed on calendar for floor consideration.

Step #6: Bill considered in that chamber as separate measure or amendment to another bill.

Step #7: Bill sent to other chamber for consideration.

And Even More Steps

Step #8: Conference committee meets to reconcile versions of the bill.

Step. #9: Chambers vote on final conferenced bill.

Step #10: Bill sent to president for signature or veto.

Step #11: Legislature may attempt to override veto.

Who cares about staff? You Do!

Staff members have… direct access to legislators. their bosses’ trust. knowledge (sometimes!) on issue areas. A pulse on what issues matter to their

constituents. (What about your issues?) INFLUENCE over legislators’ decisions

and actions!

All Staff are NOT the Same

Personal staff State or DC staff District staff

Committee staff Leadership staff Support agency staff Institutional staff

Supporting the National Organization:

Making Friends at Home

Developing Relationships

Got to know congressional district and state staff.

Help SSWAA deliver timely messages. Be a resource for district- and state-

specific info on SSW. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS!

SSWers in Policy & Practice

Multiple “jurisdictions” Education AND Mental Health School AND Community Children AND Families

SSWAA also works to influence all issues affecting SSW practice and outcomes for students.

Current Policy “Buzz” Words “Whole child,” “non-cognitive skills” Poverty, equity, economic outcomes Positive approaches to discipline SEL, PBIS, MTSS, ISS Trauma-informed response &

recovery Community relationships Sustainable partnerships

SSWers in Federal Law

Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Reauthorization

Elementary & Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP)

Crisis prevention, response, recovery Mental health reforms Building SSW profession & loan

forgiveness

ESEA Reauthorization: House

H.R. 5, Student Success Act Similar to bill passed in July 2013. Basically block grant to states. Bill does not mention school MH

services. Bill not conservative enough?

ESEA Reauthorization: Senate

Negotiated bipartisan bill: Every Child Achieves Act of 2015

Main sticking points Testing & accountability

AYP Education waivers

Common core standards Local control and flexibility

ESEA: School MH Definitions

“School counseling” includes SSW! “School-based MH Services Provider”:

“State licensed/certified SSW, school counselor, school psychologist, or other State licensed/certified MH professional qualified to provide services to children and adolescents.”

Senate ESEA Bill: Title I

“Allowable use” for MH, preventative services, MTSS, PBIS, community MH partnerships

“Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk”: Includes SISP, school-wide plan

Transferability: Allows $$ from Titles II and IV to transfer into Title I.

Senate ESEA Bill: Title IV

“Safe & Healthy Students” formula grants can be used to: assist districts to expand access to or

coordinate resources for counseling and MH programs, e.g., school-based MH services partnership programs.

support activities promoting physical & mental health and well-being for students and staff.

Senate ESEA Bill: Title IV School districts:

Must conduct needs assessment May include

school-based MH services: school or community providers

partnerships: comprehensive school-based services, supports, staff development

emergency planning school counseling programs training in identifying warning signs PBIS

ESEA Recommendations: SSWAA/NASISP

Currently “pupil services” in ESEA. Senate bill includes “Specialized

Instructional Support Personnel!”“…school counselors, SSW, school psychologists, &

other qualified professional personnel involved in providing assessment, diagnosis, counseling, educational, therapeutic, & other necessary services (related services, Sec. 602, IDEA) as part of a comprehensive program to meet student needs.”

ESEA Recommendations: SSWAA/NASISP

Office of Specialized Instructional Support Services

SISP at the table: school-wide planning, school improvement, professional development

NASISP Activities

SISP House Resolution – Rep. Loebsack, D-IA

National SISP Week: April 13-17 #SISPinSchools Twitterstorm! www.nasisp.org

Bills Supporting SISP Reducing Barriers to Learning Act

(Loebsack) Changes pupil/related services to SISP Creates Office of SISP State grants to hire coordinators

Keep Kids in Schools Act (Sen. Casey, D-PA)

Supporting Community Schools Act (Rep. Honda, D-CA)

Elementary & Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP)

Only federal grant to hire SSW (ESEA) Funded through annual appropriations FY 2010 = $55 million; FY 2015 = $49

million. President’s FY 2016 budget includes

ESSCP for the first time!

Federal $$ for SSW/MH Services

ESEA-Title I: proposed expanded uses of $$ for MH, PBIS, prevention

IDEA: 15% may go to early intervening services for students not yet identified as disabled

Grant programs: braided or blended funding

School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act (SSWISS)

Sponsor: Rep. Gwen Moore, D-WI Will be reintroduced in this Congress Purpose: Grants to high-need districts

to retain/hire more SSW. NEED more co-sponsors: How about

YOUR representative? Moore also sponsored “SSW Week”

resolution

Expanding School SW Services

Proposed legislation/language just words until enacted or funded.

Real data/examples enhance chances of enacting.

Federal language model for state laws and vice versa.

Promote the MESSAGE despite the politics!

Mental Health in Schools Act

House sponsors: Napolitano (D-CA) & Gibson (R-NY) – H.R. 1211

Senate sponsor: Franken (D-MN) School-community partnerships to

increase MH services. SSWAA working to strengthen school-

employed implementation & school-based coordination.

School MH and Prevention Momentum for school MH services &

stronger community linkages “School-based support personnel”

Guiding Principles: A Resource Guide for Improving School Climate & Discipline

Eliminating Disparities in School Discipline: http://rtpcollaborative.indiana.edu

Building the Profession & Loan Forgiveness

Social Work Reinvestment Act Rep. Lee (D-CA); Sen. Mikulski (D-MD)

Increased Student Achievement Through Increased Student Supports Sen. Tester (D-MT)

Partnerships for Improving Academic Success (PASS) Act Rep. Chu (D-CA)

Federal Grant Opportunities

Promise Neighborhoods Communities in Schools My Brother’s Keeper White House MH National Dialogue “Now is the Time”

School Climate Transformation Grants Project Aware, MH First Aid Project Prevent

Developing Partnerships

Who needs to see/hear about your work?

Existing partnerships/coalitions that support SSW and broaden reach?

Fellow service providers and education professionals?

SSWAA is Your Advocacy Resource

E-Bell – DC Updates SSWAA National Conference Summer Leadership/Legislative

InstituteWe want to make it easy to TAKE

ACTION!

Thanks for participating & becoming stronger advocates for

School Social Work!

…and stay tuned for more resources at www.sswaa.org!