The purpose of the Legislation and Advocacy Branch is to advocate for issues of importance to Clinical Social Workers as professionals; mental health issues and clinical social work licensing/practice issues. Each of our local jurisdictions-DC, Maryland and Virginia-has a legislative committee that monitors various regulations, policies, programs, and legislative initiatives having to do with mental health and clinical social work in the State/District, as well as relevant professional licensing and scope of practice issues. We keep our membership informed of issues that may need prompt action and how we might all be impacted by developments in the legislative and regulatory realms through our newsletter, website and list serve.

The focus of the legislative program is deliberately narrow. We are not in competition with NASW, which has a broad political and social agenda. NASW has a political PAC; they endorse candidates; they take stands on issues like war, gun control, and so on. Members of GWSCSW may personally support those important positions, and may encourage other members to do so as well. The Branch is not a political arm of the Society. The GWSCSW does not contribute to individual candidates or legislators for Federal and municipal government.

Clinical social workers are responsible for almost half of all psychotherapy in the United States.  When we speak up about issues like health care reform, parity, cultural competency, insurance, telemedicine, and so on, our point of view adds an important dimension to the discussion. As Rabbi Hillel said: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?”  This really does encompass the importance of what the Legislation and Advocacy Branch and our Committees do-we advocate for ourselves to help others understand the importance and worth of our profession; we recognize the needs of those who can’t speak for themselves in order to promote mental health and the well-being of our clients and of society; and we need to do this work NOW, at the moment when the opportunity presents itself.

Please contact us to help us strengthen our voice in this important work.

Director: Judy Gallant | judy.gallant@verizon.net

DC Chair: Adele Natter | anatter@verizon.net

Maryland Chair: Judy Gallant | judy.gallant@verizon.net

Virginia Chair: Wayne Martin | wamnoles@aol.com