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Six students from the Department of Social Work at Mount Saint Mary's recently made their mark at the National Association of Social Workers Legislative Lobby Days. Held over two days, this event serves as a pivotal platform for educating over 1,200 students and professionals on crucial legislation impacting clients and the social work field.

Accompanied by associate professors Amanda Romero, EdD, and Michelle Melendres, EdD, the students traveled to Sacramento to advocate for a range of social welfare issues and policies.

Romero, who is also the chair of the Department, emphasizes the significance of policy advocacy in shaping social work practice. "Policy informs practice in social work," she affirms. "Through initiatives like this, our students witness firsthand the profound impact policy advocacy can have on our daily lives. It's a direct pathway to effecting positive change in California."

This year marked the third participation of Mount Saint Mary's Department of Social Work in the conference. The agenda was comprehensive: on day one, participants delved into the lobbying process directly from the professionals who researched and authored the bills in which they advocated for, gearing up for their legislative appointments. Day two saw students engaging directly with legislators at the California State Capitol, putting their advocacy skills into action.

Evelyn Barba ’26, one of the students involved, reflects on the experience with enthusiasm. "As aspiring social workers, our goal is to drive policy through social action," she shares. “This experience will continue to be significant in my academic journey because I got to experience lobbying, engage with individuals, gain practical experience, and be exposed to many diverse populations. I have gained a broader understanding and perspective and look forward to doing this again.”

For Sarah Zepeda ‘25, the experience reaffirmed her career choice: "The highlight of this experience was being able to advocate for myself and my future clients. This opportunity has reassured me that I picked the right career path."

“During the NAWS-CA Legislative Lobby Days, I had the opportunity to explore what macro-level social work is and work together with my colleagues to lobby on bills that we believe align with our mission and values,” says Siouxsie Luna ’24. 

Their advocacy efforts focused on a variety of bills crucial to the welfare of Californians:

1. AB 2250 (Weber-D): Social Determinants of Health
   This bill aimed to ensure insurance plans cover Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) in consultation with social workers to screen patients for socioeconomic and cultural stressors in assessing their mental health needs.
2. AB 1970 (Jackson-D): Black Mental Health Navigator Certification
   This bill sought to create a certification program to identify culturally sensitive mental health resources in the African-American community.
3. AB 1810 (Bryan/Bonta-D): Incarcerated Persons Menstrual Products
   Advocating for the provision of menstrual products to incarcerated individuals without the need for prior request.
4. AB 1799 (Jackson-D): Annual State of Public Health in California
   This bill aimed to include the impact of racism in the annual California State of Mental Health Report.
5. SB 26 (Umberg-D): CARE Scholarship Program
   Advocating for the creation of a scholarship fund for mental health providers, including social workers, in exchange for a commitment to work in a county behavioral health agency for three years.
6. SB 953 (Menjivar-D): Medi-Cal Menstrual Products
   Seeking to add menstrual products to the mandatory Medi-Cal formulary list.

Through initiatives like the National Association of Social Workers Legislative Lobby Days, Mount Saint Mary's Department of Social Work continues to empower students to become advocates for change, equipping them with the skills and passion needed to effect real-world impact in their communities.