Team Leader Training Lobby Days 2017
AGENDA Welcome and Dinner Introductions Review Packet NASW Advocacy Team Leaders Role Lobby Days Bills Reminders Skits
NASW ADVOCACY SOCIAL WORKERS ADVOCATE! It s in our code of ethics 6.04 Social workers should engage in social and political action that seeks to ensure that all people have equal access to the resources, employment, services and opportunities they require to meet their basic human needs and to develop fully. It s in our history and tradition Connecting policy and practice and part of social work education
NASW LOBBY DAYS Component of NASW advocacy program (800 advocates, meeting over 100 legislators) Training social workers to be advocates within the legislative system The power of social workers lobbying issues that impact their clients and their profession Team leaders bring organization and leadership to a mass effort
TEAM LEADER ROLE NASW trains the team leaders on Saturday Team leaders organize and train their teams on Sunday Team leaders lead their team on Monday The team evaluates the experience
TRAIN AND ORGANIZE THE TEAM Your team is assigned to you based on which legislative district they live in Some may not live in the district but due to logistics have joined your team Average 6-8 team members Most will have little or no experience lobbying Some team leaders will have more than one team, if this is the case, you will be assigned to two adjacent tables after the afternoon break
TRAIN AND ORGANIZE THE TEAM On Sunday after the 2:35pm break: Sit at your team table(s). Tables will be numbered by your team number Make sure the team members are at the right table and confirm with all times and location of Monday appointment Do introductions, share lobbying experiences if any Share the legislator background info Their profile, committee assignments, voting record Discuss and learn the lobby topics (bills)
Organize your team Assign team members to speaking roles Team leader should introduce the team and start off the meeting Assign three different people to talk about each of the 3 issues (bills). Personal stories are useful Each bill should take 2-3 minutes, total meeting 15-30 Assign a person at the end of the meeting to ask for a commitment on how the Legislator will vote on the issues Team leader should wrap up meeting and give the office the leave behind folder. Also ask for a business card and thank them for their time Practice, Practice, Practice!!
SB 219 (Wiener) LGBT Senior Bill of Rights
Background Estimates say there are 1.5 million LGBT elders in the United States, and by 2030, that number will nearly double to 3 million LGBT people 65 and older Research has just begun to assess the needs and life experiences of older LGBT people and their families Today s LGBT elders are the first generation to survive the HIV/AIDS epidemic
Need for the Bill LGBT elders are more likely to be single, childless, estranged from their biological family, and reliant on families of choice, such as friends and other loved ones Without traditional support systems in place, many LGBT elders end up relying on nursing homes or other institutions providing long-term care
Need for the Bill Lifelong experiences of marginalization place LGBT seniors at high risk for isolation, poverty, homelessness, and premature institutionalization Many LGBT senior are members of multiple underrepresented groups Many LGBT seniors avoid elder programs and services
The Research Studies have shown that such institutions are either not aware of the evolving nature of their residents or not prepared to address the needs of this population One study asked if LGBT older adults could be open about their sexuality with facility staff and only 22 percent of LGBT respondents answered yes
The Research Studies have shown that LGBT seniors have been discriminated against in longterm care facilities
The Research In a 2011 study, 43% of respondents witnessed or experienced LGBT seniors being mistreated in a long-term care facility including: Being refused admission or readmission Being abruptly discharged Verbal or physical harassment from staff Not accepting medical power of attorney from the resident s partner or spouse Refusing the use a preferred name or pronoun
SB 219 (Weiner) LGBT Senior Bill of Rights Prohibits any long-term care facility to take specific discriminatory actions on the basis of a person s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status Requires these facilities to post a notice of these policies alongside their current nondiscrimination policies
Types of Prohibited Discrimination Deny admission, transfer, or evict or involuntarily discharge a resident from a facility Deny a request by two residents to share a room Cannot refuse to assign a room to a transgender resident, that is not in accordance with their gender identity Prohibit or harass a resident from using a restroom in accordance with their gender identity Restrict a resident the right to sexual intimacy Cannot deny or restrict medical care
SB 219 Support Equality California (sponsor) American Civil Liberties Union California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform Justice in Aging National Association of Social Workers National Center for Transgender Equality San Francisco Human Rights Commission National Center for Lesbian Rights Transgender Law Center FORGE APLA Health The Source LGBT+ Center
SB 219 Status Will be heard in the Senate Human Services Committee on Tuesday, March 28 th Committee members include: Scott Wiener (Chair) D- San Francisco, Tom Berryhill (Vice- Chair) R Modesto, Steve Glazer D- Orinda, Josh Newman D- San Dimas, Janet Nguyen R- Garden Grove Keyed fiscal Senate Appropriations
The Political Realities We expect smooth sailing for this bill with the possible exception of one provision On page 7, commencing with line 25, it provides for a private right of action for violations of this law which is the ability to allow private parties to bring a lawsuit Transgender issues may be difficult for some
SB 8 (Beall) Diversion: Mental Health
Background In 1957, the Short-Doyle Act was passed in response unneccessary institutionalization in state hospitals. It provided state funds to local mental health programs for community care The legislature intended for savings from the closure of the state hospitals to be distributed to community based treatment programs but that funding was slashed by Governor Ronald Reagan The incarceration rate of those with a mental illness skyrocketed when funding was pulled from community based care
Background The number of mentally ill people in prison in California has almost doubled over the past 15 years. Today, 45 percent of state prison inmates have been treated for a severe mental illness within the past year The Los Angeles County Jail is the largest mental health provider in the country The average sentence imposed on defendants suffering from mental illness is longer than the average sentence imposed on defendants who do not have a mental illness for the same crime
Background Standard recidivism rates - or rates of reoffending hover around 60 to 65 percent The veteran s diversion program in San Diego cut the recidivism rate to 4.1 percent over a three year period. Saved San Diego County and California State taxpayers $3.9 million in incarceration and treatment costs
SB 8 (Beall) Mental Health Diversion Grants trail courts the discretion to offer a diversionary sentence to defendants who suffer from mental illness when charged with low level offenses. There must be a showing that mental illness played a significant role in the commission of the underlying offense. It must also be shown that the defendant would benefit from mental health treatment.
SB 8 (Beall) Mental Health Diversion Eligible crimes include misdemeanors and lowlevel felonies that are not prison-eligible. Treatment sources must also be available so this bill does not require the formation of new programs. A diversionary sentence is designed to address the underlying cause of the offense. Currently, a person must be convicted first before courts can require treatment. Convictions damage a person s prospect for future employment and housing.
Arguments in Support This bill will save California money by avoiding trial and incarceration costs Just like veteran s courts, this bill will lead to participants being less likely to re-offend This bill is a tool for trial courts to use in appropriate cases, it is discretionary and not automatic If the divertee in not benefiting from the program the court can determine whether criminal proceeding should be reinstituted
Support California Public Defenders Association (Sponsor) ACLU of California American Friends Service Committee Anti-Recidivism Coalition California Coalition for Women Prisoners California Psychiatric Association National Association of Social Workers, CA
Status of the Proposal This bill will be heard in the Senate Public Safety Committee March 21st Senator Nancy Skinner (Chair) D-Berkeley Senator Joel Anderson (Vice Chair) R- Alpine Senator Steven Bradford D-Gardena Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson D-Santa Barbara Senator Holly J. Mitchell D-Los Angeles Senator Jeff Stone R- Temecula Senator Scott D. Wiener D- San Francisco Bill is keyed fiscal
Political Realities There is no registered opposition to this bill The D.A. in San Diego has expressed concerns about diversion The bill has two republican co-authors: Brian Maienschein R-San Diego and Randy Vopel (R- Santee) Diversion is a hot topic in the legislature The bill will have a price tag, but it does not require the creation of new facilities and it could save court and incarceration costs
SB 54 (De Leon) The California Values Act
Background New policies emanating from the Trump Administration pose major risks to immigrant communities Policies expand the definition of criminal aliens prioritized for deportation Not just those convicted of serious crimes but rather those with a chargeable criminal offense Broad guidelines to deport anyone in violation of immigration law Authority to hire more border agents
Background/Research There are approximately 2.35 to 2.6 million undocumented immigrants in CA About two-thirds of the undocumented have lived in the U.S. for 10 years or more An estimated one-third of undocumented parents have US citizen children Nearly 1 in 8 school-aged children have an undocumented immigrant parent More than 90 percent of the undocumented are in working households
Background/Research Undocumented immigrants alone contribute about $181 Billion to CA s GDP In some CA industries, such as crop production, food services, and building and landscaping services as much as 15 to more than 30 percent of the workforce are undocumented
Background The California Legislature was quick to speak out against federal immigration proposals Democrats in the legislature introduced a package of bills to protect our immigrant communities SB 54 is the centerpiece of this reform
Need for the bill It is imperative that police, as well as schools and hospitals, maintain a relationship of trust with immigrant communities Immigrants should not fear deportation if they have been a victim of a crime, or if they witness a crime Recent mass deportations have increased fear and mistrust in immigrant communities The President s executive orders have greatly expanded the number of people that are a priority for deportation
SB 54 The California Values Act Prohibits the use of local and state resources from being used for immigration enforcement purposes Requires that schools, health facilities, courthouses and shelters remain safe and accessible to all California residents, regardless of immigration status Requires notification to the FBI of the scheduled release or parole or post release supervision of all persons confined to state prison serving a term for a violent felony. Also allows a sheriff to notify the FBI of a scheduled release from a local facility for those with a prior felony
Arguments in Support Keeps our communities safe by helping police build trust with the communities they serve Scarce state and local dollars should not be used to enforce federal laws Protects against new immigration policies that separates families and hurt our economy The new executive orders have increased fears, family stress, and mental health issues among immigrants
Arguments in Support Law enforcement will still have the ability to use a judicial warrant The state does have the authority to restrict the use of public dollars for this purpose no matter what Trump says! The federal government will be unable to strip funding because it would violate the 10 th amendment Try to stay away from the good immigrant bad immigrant scenario
SB 54 Support NASW-CA California Immigrant Policy Center American Academy of Pediatrics, CA Center for Gender & Refugee Studies Children s Defense Fund Long list of Immigrant rights groups, civil rights groups and unions
Political Realities This bill passed out of the Senate Public Safety committee on 1/31/17 on a 5-2 vote Ayes were Bradford D-Compton, Jackson D-Santa Barbara, Mitchell D-Los Angeles, Skinner D-Berkeley No votes were Anderson R-Alpine, J. Stone R-Temecula SB 54 will be heard in Senate Appropriations on 3/13! Committee members include: Lara (Chair) D- Bell Gardens, Bates (Vice-Chair) R- Laguna Niguel, Beall D- San Jose, Bradford D- Compton, Hill D- San Mateo, Nielsen R- Gerber, Wiener D- San Francisco This is the President Pro Tem s bill The Governor is supportive
The Visit (Monday) Arrive outside the Legislator s door 20 minutes before the appointment time Stay outside and keep the noise down until 5 minutes before your visit If scheduler has no NASW appointment... Team Leader: Introduce the team, visit purpose, provide the leave behind folder (white folder only) Say something positive (voting record)
The Visit Individual Team Members presentation: Introduce yourself, if constituent, say so Your background in social work, school Field of practice Speak to your section of the bill (2-3 minutes) Team Leader or Team Member Ask if the Legislator supports the bill(s) If not why? Record answers (Seal the Deal form) Conclude the meeting, thank the member or staff
After the Visit Debrief the visit with the whole team: How did it go, any follow up? Complete the Seal the Deal Form including any comments or follow up Return the form to the State Capitol Basement Cafeteria NASW table Attend the Social Action Rally, 10 th St. Side, 11am -12pm Attend hearings of interest in the Capitol
Monday 3/13 Capitol Hearing Schedule Senate Appropriations, 10 AM, Room 4203 SB 54, SB 6 (Hueso) Immigrants Legal Services, SB 31 (Lara) CA Religious Freedom Act Assembly Floor 1 PM, Item #5: HR 14 Visitor s Gallery 3 rd floor (Thurmond) Social Work Month **** Senate Health, 1 PM, Room 4203 SR 26 (Hernandez) The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Check-off list Double check the Legislator s room number on the roster across from the elevators Dress and act professionally (business attire) Don t be late and don t bring non team members. Turn off cell phones. Don t switch appointments with someone else Note new issues brought up in meeting on Seal the Deal Form.
Logistics Parking - Meters are free on Sunday Closest and cheapest parking for Sunday is the Memorial Garage on 14 th and J For Monday, meters are still cheapest - parkmobile.com app Cheapest garage is still Memorial Garage Closest is 10 th & L street Capitol Building, 4 digit numbers new side, 3 digit # s are in the old ornate side. Cafeteria in the basement of the old side.
SKITS (Rehearse Sat. Perform Sunday) Volunteers to serve on: The good team and the bad team Need a team leader, team members to speak Need legislators and their schedulers (good and bad)