What is LEAD?
Social Work Legislative Education and
Advocacy Development
Wednesday, February 29,2012
The Goals of LEAD in Indiana
 To promote social justice by facilitating
participation in the legislative process.
 Create community and legislative environments
where social work values are accepted and
implemented.
 Educate participants about the importance of
influencing state policy by participating in the
electoral process and advocating for statewide
actions.
What is LEAD?
 Legislative Education and Advocacy Development
(LEAD) is an annual event planned by a dedicated
group of professionals and students working
through the NASW-Indiana Chapter.
 The first LEAD was on Feb. 2, 2000 with
approximately 200 participants.
LEAD 2011: 422 participants
LEAD 2010: 250 participants even with snow storms
and icy roads
LEAD 2009: 575 participants
LEAD 2008: 625 participants
LEAD Day in the Past
13th Annual LEAD
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The State House
200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
For the Latest NEWS on 2012 LEAD:
www.naswin.org
and select the “Advocacy/Public Policy” tab
 To find the location on a map click here
 For parking information click here
 To see a map of the State House Rotunda meeting area click here
 To view a YouTube clip of LEAD click here
2012 LEAD Day Schedule
 Statehouse tours at:
 9:00 & 9:30 AM
 12:00 & 12:30 PM
(Each tour lasts 30 minutes)
 General LEAD Session:
 10:00 to 11:30 AM
 Students can then go to individual appointments with
Legislator(s) or attend hearings.
 Lunch will be on your own, click here to view dining
options located near the State House or bring your own
lunch.
Ways to prepare for LEAD
 Find out who represents you at the General
Assembly at: http://district.iga.in.gov/DistrictLookup/
 Make contact (email or phone) to schedule a
time to talk on February 29
 Review legislation ahead of time being
considered by the General Assembly online at:
http://www.in.gov/legislative
Ways to prepare for LEAD
Continued…
 Find out about your legislator’s position on
issues of concern to you.
 Click here to view legislator’s positions on specific
issues.
 Review the general priorities this year decided
by interim study committees:
 State Budget- click here for Indiana’s State Budget
Ways to prepare for LEAD
Continued…
 Contact legislators to set up appointments
following the General LEAD Session.
 http://district.iga.in.gov/DistrictLookup/
 Prepare talking points ahead of time on
specific legislation to discuss with legislator.
 Click here for samples of talking points
 Your professional image matters
 View Professional Image for LEAD here
Social Work Practice Skills
Demonstrated
 Meeting with a legislator & building a relationship
 Writing an action letter or email
 Collaborating and networking with others
 Influencing the legislative process
 Navigating the system
 Being empowered by being knowledgeable
 For specific details, see the “Public Policy and
Advocacy: Yes You Can!” PowerPoint
Feedback From LEAD Participants:
“Being in the State House and seeing the process in person made policy
class research and study come alive”
“Hearing from NASW leadership enhanced my ability to identify with the
profession”
“I gained a feeling of empowerment and increased confidence in own
policy practice skills”
“This experience helped me make a connection between policy and
practice”
Works Referenced
Byers, K. (2000). “Lobby Day 2000: Organizing and mobilization strategies that work.” Paper
presented at Politics, Policy, and Social Change: An Institute for Social Work Educators
and Practitioners, Atlanta, GA, June 17-20.
Byers, K., Hymans, D., Wagner, M. (2001). “400 voices at the State House: Empowering
students in policy practice.” Paper presented at the 2001 Annual Program Meeting of the
Council on Social Work Education, Dallas, TX, March 8-11.
Cummins, L. & Byers, K. (2000). “Teaching policy practice skills: An integrated model.”
Presentation at the IASWE Annual Program Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, October 6.
Dickinson, J. & Byers, K. (2001). “Educating Students to Influence State Policy: What is the
Status in BSW Programs.” Presentation at The Policy Conference: Bringing It All
Together, Charleston, SC, June 16-19.
Keller, T. (2001). Student debates in policy courses: Promoting policy practice skills and
knowledge through active learning. Journal of Social Work Education, 37, p343+
(electronic version)
Rocha, C. (2000). Evaluating experiential teaching methods in a policy practice course: The
case for service learning to increase political participation. Journal of Social Work
Education, 36, p.53+ (electronic version)