Advocacy

From agenda inception, to research, policy and position writing, to grassroots campaign development, direct advocacy at the Capitol, and more; our members power and lead all of our work. We invite you to join us.

ACT Now

Member-led campaigns that let social workers contact legislators quickly by email, phone, or in person.

Capitol Action Day

NASW-NY’s annual event connecting students and professionals to meet legislators and advocate for policy change.

Advocacy and Government Relations Committee information

Advocacy Committee

A member-led committee that develops and advances NASW-NY’s statewide legislative agenda.

Voting Resources

Nonpartisan voting tools and guidance to support informed civic engagement.

LGBTQ+ Resource Center

Advocacy tools, historical context, and community resources for LGBTQ+ social workers and clients.

No decision about you, without you.

Together, members and staff represent social work in legislative settings, local and national media, and at the forefront of social change.

We pursue the Chapter advocacy agenda by engaging directly with the New York State Legislature, government agencies, and partner organizations; identifying funding for professional development tied to the legislative landscape; and supporting the Political Action for Candidate Election committee.

At the New York Chapter, we are here to amplify your voice.

Develop Our Legislative Agenda

Only members are invited to participate and lead on our Advocacy and Government Relations (AGR) Committee. The AGR Committee serves as the backbone of the Chapter’s policy and social justice agenda by defining our legislative agenda, creating an actionable strategy, and mobilizing our membership.

Capitol Action Day

This yearly event mobilizes our members to advocate on our legislative agenda with policymakers in person and online. Our goal is to give members the tools they need to advocate for themselves and their clients year-round—creating a loud thunder of social work voices that cannot be ignored.

Stay tuned for opportunities to sponsor CAD 2027.

Advance Social Work Through Election

Only members are eligible to sit on the Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) Committee. PACE endorses campaign candidates on behalf of the Chapter, makes financial contributions to candidates who support NASW’s policy agenda, and enhances the electoral presence of social workers. It is our mission to increase the number of social workers who are elected officials in New York State.

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NASW-NY is proud of the progress made during this year’s budget and legislative session. We are grateful to our members, partners, and advocates who helped move this work forward. We encourage everyone to read our full Budget and Session Statement to learn more about this year’s wins and the work ahead.

Read the End of Budget and Session Statement here.

NASW NY Policy celebrates a win towards removing barriers to enter the profession.

Contact the Governor to sign the bill into law, here.

Launching our 2026 Salary Survey!

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Click here to complete the survey.

Missed our Conversation with 1199SEIU in May? Watch our Townhall series to better understand how to advocate for social work salaries in New York!

NASW-NY & 1199 MAY 2026 (4)

Click here to watch the series on youtube.

Legislative Priorities for Social Work in New York State

The Advocacy and Government Relations (AGR) Committee at NASW NY determines our legislative priorities each year. Learn more about the AGR Committee and how you can get involved.

These goals are critical to supporting the social work workforce and the health and wellbeing of communities throughout New York.

New York has long led progressive labor movements—and now must lead again by prioritizing the social work profession. Our legislative focus includes:

1. Increasing base pay for social workers who provide essential services across the State.

2. Reducing student loan debt to attract and retain the next generation of social workers.

Update Coming Soon...We have begun to develop legislation to strengthen the Loan Forgiveness Program in the State.

Full Bill Text on Social Work Loan Forgiveness -- We continue to advocate for S1113(May)/A6016(Simon) to recruit and retain social workers in rural areas that are in high need.

We are advocating to increase funding for the New York State Social Work Loan Forgiveness program to 12 million. See more information about NASW NY's suggestions in the NYS Budget.

Learn more about the Licensed Social Worker Loan Forgiveness Program here.

3. Improving mental health services in schools by ensuring equitable social worker-to-student ratios.

4. Promoting equity in the profession by establishing a Master of Social Work Paid Field Work Pilot Program (S7894).

5. Safeguarding the profession through regulation of Artificial Intelligence in therapy and psychotherapy services (S8484).

6. Removing Barriers to Enter the Social Work Workforce and to Licensure.

7. Daniel's Law (S3670/A4617)

8. NY For All Act (S2235/A3506)

9. Oppose the SUPPORT Act (S6999/A780)

2026 Advocacy Toolkit is here!

Look no further for ways to engage in the Chapter’s advocacy efforts and make your voice heard for issues that affect the social work profession and the communities we serve. Sift through the toolkit to find information about New York State and New York City government, how to contact your representatives, our 2026 Legislative Priorities, and much more!

Download Toolkit (PDF)

Coalition Information

Legislative priorities determined by the Advocacy and Government Relations Committee focus directly on social work practice and workforce. The Chapter works in partnerships and coalitions that advocate for social justice issues that impact the clients and communities we serve, and the systems social workers encounter through their work.

Social Workers for Justice

NASW-NY Chapters continue to partner with Social Workers for Justice, Latino Social Work Coalition, and mental health organizations such as NAMI-NYC to repeal the ASWB exam for entry-level social workers.

2026 Release the Data Campaign!Read the NYC Council Resolution 362-A Read the Memo of Support for the Social Work Workforce Act

A Better Balance

NASW NY continues to work with A Better Balance to advocate for equitable paid medical leave. New Yorkers deserve a system that ensures time off for personal illness or injury without risking their livelihoods.

Read the 2026 Times Union Op-Ed View the Memo of Support

Physicians for a National Health Program – NY Metro

The New York Health Act (NYHA) is the only bill in the New York State legislature that would guarantee comprehensive, high-quality healthcare for every New Yorker — with no co-pays, deductibles, or network restrictions. Everyone would have access to the care they need, when they need it.

Legal Aid Society

The #Right2RemainSilent campaign supports legislation (S878C(Bailey)/A2620B(Hevesi)) that guarantees youth the right to consult with legal counsel before being interrogated by police. This bill protects the rights of young people under age 18 and ensures any Miranda waiver is fully informed.

Read the 2026 Memo of Support Read their 1-pager

Katal Center for Equity, Health, and Justice

Organizing to end mass incarceration and advance health equity.

Read the 2025 Memo of Support Learn more about the campaign

Social Workers and Allies Against Solitary Confinement

A national task force of social workers and allies dedicated to ending the torturous practice of solitary confinement that is carried out in our nation’s jails and prisons, disproportionately affecting people of color, the LGBTQ population, and people suffering from mental illness.
Read the 2026 Memo of Support Learn more about the campaign

New York Healthy Workplace Advocates

Working to pass legislation to make workplace bullying illegal in the workplace since 2006.

Read the 2025 Memo of Support Learn more about the campaign

The Treatment Not Jail Coalition

Supports the Treatment Court Expansion Act.

Read the 2025 Testimony Learn more about the campaign Bill Fact Sheet

Artificial Intelligence Protection

NASW-NY Supports the Passage of S.9051 (Gonzalez) / A.10379 (Bores) – the Prohibition on Unsafe Chatbot Features for Minors Act

Read 2026 Memo of Support for Common Sense Media Read the bill 1-pager here

PARSE Coalition

Promoting recovery-supportive workplaces.

Read the 2025 Letter to the Governor Read the NYS 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 over 100 organizations who signed onto an organizational letter for the Solutions Not Suspensions Act S.134/A.118.
NEW YORK FAMILIES DESERVE CARE, NOT CRIMINAL CHARGES NASW NY signed Statewide Sign-On Letter in Support of the Community Care, Not Criminalization Act.
The SNAP for Students Act (A08757 / S08347) is a proactive and preventative approach to dealing with the issue of college student food insecurity.

Past Sign ons

Youth Justice and Opportunities Act (S4330/A5293): Expands alternatives to incarceration for youth. Read more
Student Borrower Protection Center Coalition Letter. Read more.
Protect IDEA Funding in FY25: Ensures rights of students with disabilities. Read letter
Support for robust FY 2025 federal investments in youth workforce and education access.
Support for federal bill S4990 to end child marriage.
Student Loan Relief via NPRM: Read letter
College, Not Cuts campaign: Read letter
Opposing harmful loan plan changes (IDR/PSLF): Read letter to Department of Ed
Mask Ban Opposition: Read letter
Jury of Our Peers Act (A1432-C/S206-B): Read memo
Telehealth Access Extended: Thanks to the advocacy of over 6,700 social workers, Medicare telehealth flexibilities have been extended through September 30, 2025. Learn more
NY Renews: Coalition of 350+ organizations behind NY’s climate law. Learn more
Legal Defense Fund – NYSVRA: Protecting voters under NY’s Voting Rights Act. Learn more
JMacForFamilies: Dismantling harmful child welfare practices. Visit site | Watch their presentation

Help NASW NY PACE Strengthen the Political Power of Social Work through elections

Complete the Member Feedback Survey to alert us on races impacting social work in your district!

The 2026 Advocacy Toolkit contains information on how to find races in your local area.

Stay up to date with NASW NY Policy! The Policy Corner is member exclusive benefit, serving as Your Source of News Affecting the Social Work Profession. The Newsletter provides up-to-date information and opportunities for social work advocacy every Monday.

Become a member today!

policy corner

Sponsor a Power of Social Work Podcast through NASW Social Work Talks!

This is an exclusive opportunity to advertise through our National platform and the New York platform.

See the media toolkit from NASW here.

The podcast is featured on Iheartradio, spotify, and itunes. It has received 1.7 million downloads and gets up to 30,000 downloads an episode.

The sponsorship will feature an intro with the advertisement and a 30 seconds commercial.

Visit our Podcast page here.

Contact @amrodriguez.naswny@socialworkers.org for inquires on sponsoring the next episode.

Important Resources

Find your Representative

Voting is Social Work

Talking to Your Legislator

Take Action for Social Work Advocacy

Act Now campaigns empower social workers to influence policy by connecting directly with legislators through email, phone, or in-person meetings. These advocacy tools spotlight issues that affect our profession, clients, and communities at every level of government.

Each campaign features pre-written letters, reviewed by fellow social workers, making it easy to take quick, meaningful action. Personalize your message with your experience or research to make it even more impactful.

Browse our current Act Now campaigns and lend your voice. It only takes three minutes to stand up for social justice and strengthen our collective impact.