Story by Tricia Howley
“The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.” -Jane Addams
On Jan. 31, students in CSU’s School of Social Work had the opportunity to use what they’ve learned in the classroom about effecting change in public policy-making during the first department-sponsored Advocacy Day at the Colorado State Capitol.
In our society, social workers see first-hand how hard it can be when people struggle to maintain basic human needs for themselves and their families.
It’s a unique position that lends social workers authority to be the voice of change and social justice.
Students in the School of Social Work explore social workers’ commitment to social and economic justice through their coursework. The advanced generalist program includes a special emphasis on empowering and improving the well-being of marginalized groups.
Assistant Professor Jennifer Portz, working with Field Education Director Susan Tungate and Associate Field Director Liz Davis, secured a grant from the Council on Social Work Education to provide the funding for Advocacy Day at the Capitol. Activities were tailored to students’ interests in policy practice and social justice issues.
“The goal was to ask questions, learn and practice advocacy skills,” said Portz. “Students were encouraged to learn more about the individual legislators’ interests, current bills and backgrounds.”
During the first part of the day, students observed Colorado legislative sessions from various vantage points in small groups, such as being on the Senate floor with Sen. John Kefalas of District 14, or being on the House floor with Rep. Jonathan Singer of District 11.
Students then attended a Community Advocate Panel in the old Supreme Court chambers. Speakers included representatives from the National Association of Social Workers, the Colorado Mental Wellness Network and the Center for Trauma and Resilience, as well as one of Singer’s interns.
The students got a meet-and-greet opportunity with Colorado state lawmakers upon adjournment of the legislative sessions. During the afternoon, students again broke into small groups and either attended committee hearings or advocated in scheduled meetings with legislators of both parties.
Several School of Social Work faculty members guided students through the day.
“This experience really allowed us to demonstrate macro-level social work to our students in a way that can’t be duplicated in a classroom,” said Marie Villescas-Zamzow, one of the faculty members who joined the students at the Capitol.
The School of Social Work is part of Colorado State University’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
