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Capitol Action Day

Social Workers & Mental Health Professionals: Make Your Voices Heard!

Join us for Capitol Action Day and advocate for the future of social work in New York.

Capitol Action Day at the New York State Capitol

Tuesday, February 10, 2026
NYS Capitol Concourse
Albany, New York

What is Capitol Action Day?

Capitol Action Day is NASW-NY’s annual advocacy event. Our last event was held on Tuesday, February 10, 2025, designed to empower social workers to engage directly in the advocacy process at the State Capitol to make an impact for the profession and the communities we serve. At Capitol Action Day, members and beyond will have a chance to talk with legislators about the issues that matter to us and most importantly, to you. Our advocacy resides in the belief that to adequately address the mental health crisis in the State, there must be a focus on the recruitment and retention of social workers.

Capitol Action Day is open to both social work students and professionals. Attendees will visit their legislators throughout the day via legislative appointments or blanket canvassing to advocate for our issues.

We encourage attendees to arrange a meeting with their local legislators in addition to the already planned schedule. Find your NYS Senator and Assemblymember: NYS Senator and Assemblymember lookup .

NASW-NY cannot do this alone. We need your presence in this process! Your advocacy is crucial to ensure successful passage of legislation and budget commitments that will address our concerns and support an expansive and responsive mental health delivery system.

Why your advocacy matters: the Social Work Code of Ethics in action

Leadership training

“Social workers should strive to become and remain proficient in professional practice and the performance of professional functions...”

– Social Work Code of Ethics

Participate in Capitol Action Day to gain invaluable experience in legislative advocacy, developing skills crucial for professional growth and leadership.

Connect with representatives

“I am deeply thankful to NASW New York for providing the opportunity to advocate for the communities we serve at Capitol Action Day...”

– Bryan Jimenez, LMSW

Directly engage with your elected officials. Your professional insights are vital in shaping policies that impact social workers and the clients you serve.

Advocate for the future

“Today was so inspiring! Speaking and advocating alongside nearly 100 fellow social workers at Capital Action Day...”

Megan Marshall, MSW

Be a catalyst for change. Your participation helps drive policy shifts that improve social conditions and promote justice for all New Yorkers.

Research policy

“Social workers should critically examine and keep current with emerging knowledge relevant to social work...”

– Social Work Code of Ethics

Learn about and contribute to evidence-based policy advocacy, leveraging research to inform legislative decisions that enhance social work practice.

2026 legislative priorities

The following legislative priorities were determined by the 2025–2026 NASW-NY Advocacy and Government Relations Committee for Capitol Action Day. Learn more about the NASW-NY Advocacy and Government Relations Committee .

Secure your sponsorship today for Capitol Action Day 2026!

Make your mark on New York’s future by sponsoring Capitol Action Day. Together, we can advocate for policies that create systemic change, improve mental health services, and uplift social workers as the essential workers they are.

Sponsorship packages fit a range of budgets and objectives. Whether you’re an organization looking to enhance your brand visibility or an individual passionate about supporting social work, there’s an option for you.

Be our sponsor and make a difference.

Why you should sponsor

1. Brand exposure

Sponsoring Capitol Action Day increases your organization’s visibility among NASW-NY’s extensive statewide audience of more than 60,000 social workers and supporters.

2. Employee engagement

Supporting this event boosts employee morale and reinforces your organization’s commitment to ethics, equity, and social responsibility.

3. Community connection

Sponsoring Capitol Action Day shows your organization’s dedication to causes that matter to communities across New York State.

4. Support a critical cause

Your sponsorship directly supports advocacy to address New York’s mental health crisis, strengthen the social work workforce, and sustain vital mental health and social services.

Thank you to our sponsors

We are grateful to our sponsors for supporting Capitol Action Day and social work advocacy across New York State.

Social Justice Leader

Assisted Living Locators NYC

Thank you to our new partner Assisted Living Locators NYC for their support of Capitol Action Day as a Social Justice Leader.

Assisted Living Locators NYC helps place seniors in the best fit assisted, independent, or memory care communities across NYC, providing senior concierge living solutions at no cost to the client. Howard Horowitz and Michael Wolfson serve the five boroughs of New York City and select areas of northern New Jersey.

CE at CAD!

Getting Started: Nuts and Bolts of Political Engagement

Presented by Mark Laster, MS, LCSWR and Allysha Bryant, MSW, LMSW, CAPM

Register for CE session

Missed the 2025 Fall Policy Series?

Watch the recordings with all the information to equip advocates for Albany.

Watch the recordings

Capitol Action Day photo gallery

Highlights from last year’s Capitol Action Day.

Information about the NYS Capitol Building

Use the resources below to plan your trip to the Empire State Plaza in Albany, New York.

Driving directions to the Empire State Plaza

Please call to request directions to hearings in other locations, or use the Google Maps link above to generate a map and detailed driving directions.

From the North

Take I-87 (Northway) to I-90 East (exit #1E). Take I-90 to I-787 South. Take Exit #3A for the Empire State Plaza.

From the South

Take I-87 (NY Thruway) to Exit 23, then take I-787 and Exit #3 for the Empire State Plaza.

From the East

Take I-90 West to I-787 South. Take Exit #3A for the Empire State Plaza.

From the West

Take I-90 to I-787 South. Take Exit #3A for the Empire State Plaza.