Social work students get firsthand lesson on the importance of advocacy

Most people try to avoid prisons. Lydia Moll '18 hopes to end up in one.

Armed with bachelor's degrees in criminal justice and sociology (and a minor in gender studies), she's pursuing her master's degree in social work, aiming to "help in some small way to decrease recidivism" as a correctional therapist working with prisoners who are eligible for release.

Moll was one of 30 USI social work students who traveled to Indianapolis for the National Association of Social Workers' Legislative Education Advocacy Development (LEAD) Day at the Statehouse on Monday, February 18. Dr. Elissa Mitchell, assistant professor of social work, organized the trip, which was sponsored by USI's Center for Social Justice Education. "Social workers are advocates, either on the micro or macro level. We might be advocating for an individual (to have a place to live, to get treatment) or for a policy change at the state or federal level," Mitchell said. "When something is unjust, social workers need to know how to make change."           

"When something is unjust, social workers need to know how to make change."
-Dr. Elissa Mitchell, assistant professor of social work                   

Both Moll and fellow attendee Sydney Miner '19, social work, hope to become a "voice for the voiceless" after graduation. They, along with more than 400 other social work students and faculty from across the state, embraced the opportunity to learn firsthand about legislation that may impact social workers and their clients.

One such piece of legislation is HB 1175 which, as Mitchell explains, "would simplify and improve the treatment process" for outpatient mental health or substance abuse clients by allowing licensed clinical social workers to be included as eligible providers for their plan's supervision.

Payday lending bills, bias crimes legislation and a potential increase in TANF (Temporary Aid for Needy Families) were also addressed. These issues and others are discussed in a policy course taught by Dr. Veronica Huggins, assistant professor of social work. She and several of her students also attended.

"It was great to hear how much impact social workers have on these bills," said Miner.

"Social welfare policy impacts how we can provide assistance and to whom," Mitchell said. "Having a basic understanding of the legislative process can help students understand how these policies are formed and passed, and also provide insight into the advocacy process." 

In addition to presentations about social work-related legislation and the NASW, students also observed General Assembly sessions and toured the Statehouse. Moll, who has "watched so many documentaries about wrongful convictions and appeals," said standing in the Indiana Supreme Court room was the most memorable part of the day.

"It was amazing to be in a room where justice can be served and past decisions can be studied and overturned," she said. Added Miner, "It was an inspirational day that got me excited for my future as a social worker."

Excitement and inspiration. They're often found on campus, but every now and then you need to look 175 miles away.

USI is hosting its 17th Annual Spring Social Work Conference: "Social Work: Changing Lives through Best Practices, Advocacy and Social Justice" on March 1, 2019, in honor of National Professional Social Work Month.