NASW New York Advocacy

Social Work Advocacy in New York

NASW-NY advances policies that strengthen the social work profession, support social workers and improve the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities throughout New York.

Take Action Now View Legislative Priorities

New York social workers participating in advocacy at the State Capitol

Member voices power NASW-NY policy and advocacy.

Start Here

How Would You Like to Get Involved?

Choose one of the following ways to engage with NASW-NY and make a difference for social workers, clients and communities across New York.

Take Action

Contact lawmakers and respond to current advocacy campaigns affecting social workers and the communities they serve.

View current campaigns

Legislative Priorities

Explore the policy issues NASW-NY is advancing to strengthen the profession and improve lives across New York.

Explore policy priorities

Join the Advocacy Committee

Help shape NASW-NY’s legislative agenda, advocacy strategy and grassroots outreach.

Learn about the committee

Advocacy Toolkit

Access practical resources for meeting with legislators, preparing testimony and becoming a more effective advocate.

Open the 2026 toolkit

Take Action Now

Current Social Work Advocacy Campaigns

Support active policy campaigns, contribute to workforce research and learn how social workers are advancing fair compensation throughout New York.

Campaign graphic celebrating progress toward removing barriers to entering the social work profession

Legislative Action

Help Remove Barriers to Entering the Profession

NASW-NY is advocating for legislation that supports social work graduates and reduces unnecessary barriers to professional practice.

Contact the Governor

Workforce Research

Complete the 2026 Social Work Salary Survey

Share your compensation and employment experience to help strengthen NASW-NY advocacy for fair and competitive social work salaries.

Take the Salary Survey

Watch On Demand

Social Work Salary Town Hall Series

Watch NASW-NY’s conversation with 1199SEIU and learn how social workers can advocate for better salaries throughout New York.

Watch the Series

Member-Powered Advocacy

No Decision About You, Without You

NASW-NY members and staff represent the social work profession in legislative settings, government agencies, the media and movements for social change. Member voices guide our legislative agenda, policy positions, grassroots campaigns and electoral work.

How Members Power Our Advocacy

Members shape policy, identify important local races and strengthen the political voice of social work throughout New York.

Legislation

Develop Our Legislative Agenda

Members of the Advocacy and Government Relations Committee define NASW-NY’s policy priorities, develop advocacy strategies and help mobilize the membership.

Learn about the committee

Elections

Strengthen the Political Power of Social Work

Help NASW-NY PACE identify local races and candidates affecting the social work profession and the communities we serve. Complete the 2026 Member Feedback Survey to alert us to important races in your district.

Complete the PACE Survey Find local races with the 2026 Advocacy Toolkit

PACE

Join the PACE Committee

Become part of NASW-NY’s Political Action for Candidate Election Committee. PACE helps educate members, engage candidates and strengthen the political voice of social work across New York.

Learn about PACE

Our Policy Agenda

Legislative Priorities for Social Work in New York

The NASW-NY Advocacy and Government Relations Committee determines our legislative priorities based on issues affecting social workers, the profession and communities throughout New York.

Increase Base Pay for Social Workers Workforce

NASW-NY advocates for fair, competitive compensation for social workers providing essential services throughout New York.

Reduce Student Loan Debt Workforce

NASW-NY supports strengthening and expanding loan-forgiveness programs to recruit and retain social workers in high-need areas.

Improve Mental Health Services in Schools Support

NASW-NY advocates for equitable school social worker-to-student ratios and expanded access to mental-health services in K–12 education.

Establish Paid Social Work Field Placements Workforce

NASW-NY supports a Master of Social Work Paid Field Work Pilot Program to help reduce financial barriers and promote equity within the profession.

Regulate Artificial Intelligence in Therapy Support

NASW-NY supports safeguards governing the use of artificial intelligence in therapy, psychotherapy and mental-health services.

Remove Barriers to Licensure and Employment Workforce

NASW-NY supports legislation that closes post-graduation practice gaps, extends limited permits and reduces financial and administrative barriers to professional licensure.

Support Daniel’s Law Support

NASW-NY supports Daniel’s Law and the development of appropriate community-based responses to mental-health and substance-use crises.

Support the New York for All Act Support

NASW-NY supports policies protecting immigrant New Yorkers and strengthening trust between communities and public institutions.

Oppose the SUPPORT Act Oppose

NASW-NY opposes legislation that would negatively affect social-work practice, professional standards or the communities social workers serve.

Cover of the NASW-NY 2026 Advocacy Toolkit

Featured Resource

The 2026 Advocacy Toolkit

Use the NASW-NY Advocacy Toolkit to prepare for meetings with lawmakers, understand New York government and take informed action on issues affecting social workers and the communities they serve.

Learn how New York State and New York City government work.
Find and contact your elected representatives.
Review NASW-NY legislative priorities.
Prepare for meetings, testimony and advocacy outreach.

Open the 2026 Advocacy Toolkit

Working Together

Coalition and Community Advocacy

NASW-NY partners with organizations and coalitions advancing social justice, health equity, professional opportunity and community wellbeing throughout New York.

Social Workers for Justice

NASW-NY works with Social Workers for Justice, the Latino Social Work Coalition and mental-health organizations to address inequities in social-work licensing and workforce access.

Release the Data Campaign NYC Council Resolution 362-A

A Better Balance

NASW-NY works with A Better Balance to advocate for equitable paid medical leave so New Yorkers can take time away from work for illness or injury without risking their livelihoods.

Read the Times Union Op-Ed

New York Health Act

NASW-NY works with Physicians for a National Health Program and other partners supporting comprehensive healthcare access for New Yorkers.

Learn About the New York Health Act

Right to Remain Silent

NASW-NY supports legislation ensuring that young people can consult with legal counsel before being interrogated by police.

Read the NASW-NY Memo

End Solitary Confinement

NASW-NY supports social workers and allies working to end solitary confinement and its disproportionate harm to people of color, LGBTQ+ people and individuals with mental illness.

Learn About the Campaign Read the NASW-NY Memo

Treatment Not Jail

NASW-NY supports the Treatment Court Expansion Act and community-based approaches that connect people with appropriate care rather than criminalizing unmet behavioral-health needs.

Learn About Treatment Not Jail

Workplace Equity and Recovery

NASW-NY supports efforts addressing workplace bullying, recovery-supportive employment practices and healthy, equitable working environments.

New York Healthy Workplace Advocates Recovery Ready Workplace Act

NASW-NY 2026 Sign-Ons

NASW-NY supports SR 1722 (Stewart-Cousins), funding a Library Social Work Pilot Program.
NASW-NY joined the NAMI-NYS coalition sign-on letter supporting S2033/A279, legislation that would strengthen the New York State Constitution by establishing a clearer obligation for the state to protect and promote mental health.
NASW-NY joined more than 100 organizations signing an organizational letter for the Solutions Not Suspensions Act (S.134/A.118).
New York Families Deserve Care, Not Criminal Charges: NASW-NY signed the statewide sign-on letter in support of the Community Care, Not Criminalization Act.
NASW-NY signed on in support of the SNAP for Students Act (Assembly bill A08757 / Senate bill S08347), a proactive and preventative approach to college student food insecurity.

Listen and Learn

Power of Social Work Podcast

Hear conversations with social workers, advocates, policymakers and community leaders about the issues shaping the profession and the communities social workers serve.

Social work policy and legislative advocacy
Professional practice and workforce issues
Community leadership and social justice

Explore Podcast Episodes

Member-Exclusive Policy Updates

Get Policy Corner in Your Inbox

Policy Corner keeps NASW-NY members informed about legislative developments, advocacy opportunities, professional issues and ways to take action across New York.

Become a Member

Helpful tools

Important Advocacy Resources

Find your representatives, support voter engagement and learn how to communicate effectively with elected officials.

Find Your Representative

Identify your federal representatives and locate contact information for their offices.

Search for your representative

Voting Is Social Work

Access nonpartisan resources supporting voter registration, education and participation.

Explore voting resources

Talk to Your Legislator

Learn how to prepare for a meeting and communicate your message clearly to elected officials.

Watch the advocacy video

Common questions

Social Work Advocacy FAQs

Learn how NASW-NY develops its policy agenda and how members, students and supporters can participate.

What is NASW-NY’s role in social work advocacy?

NASW-NY represents the social work profession in legislative, regulatory and public-policy settings. The Chapter advocates for policies affecting social workers and the communities they serve.

How does NASW-NY determine its legislative priorities?

The member-led Advocacy and Government Relations Committee reviews policy issues, identifies priorities and helps develop the Chapter’s legislative agenda and advocacy strategy.

What is ACT Now?

ACT Now campaigns help social workers quickly contact elected officials about active legislation and policy issues. Visit the ACT Now page to see current campaigns.

What is Capitol Action Day?

Capitol Action Day is NASW-NY’s annual advocacy event bringing social workers and students together to learn about policy issues and communicate directly with New York State legislators.

Can social work students participate in advocacy?

Yes. Students can participate in Capitol Action Day, respond to ACT Now campaigns, attend policy programs and use the Advocacy Toolkit to learn how to communicate with lawmakers.

How can I join an NASW-NY advocacy committee?

Committee participation is a member benefit. Visit the Advocacy Committees page to learn about eligibility and opportunities to participate.

What is the NASW-NY Advocacy Toolkit?

The toolkit provides information about New York government, legislative priorities, contacting representatives, preparing for meetings and participating in policy advocacy.

How can I find my elected representatives?

Use the representative-search resources on this page or the Advocacy Toolkit to identify federal, state and local officials serving your district.

What is NASW-NY PACE?

The Political Action for Candidate Election Committee supports candidates who advance social-work policy priorities and helps strengthen the profession’s electoral presence.

Where can I follow NASW-NY policy updates?

Members receive Policy Corner updates, and visitors can follow NASW-NY advocacy announcements, campaigns, events and social-media channels for current information.