2010 NASW-OH ADVOCACY AGENDA
The agenda is the Ohio Chapter’s top advocacy priorities for the year. The agenda is divided by the action that NASW Ohio will take- lead, collaborate, or follow. The issues that fall under the ‘Lead’ category will be the first priority for the Chapter and will primarily focus on professional issues. The issues that fall under the ‘Collaborate’ category are those that we will actively push for passage with other organizations/associations. The ‘Follow’ category are issues where we have joined other state wide advocacy groups to build strong united campaigns under a coalition to advocate for those we serve.
Lead
Priority 1- Workplace safety. NASW-OH plans to lead this initiative, which includes researching other states’ proposed laws and proposing its own version. As recommended by the Professional Issues Committee, the Legislative Committee will advocate for establishing basic workplace safety measures for any social work setting.
Priority 2- Educational Debt Relief. Although the recent federal legislation has advanced this goal, additional legislation on the state level is still needed.
Priority 3- Removal of civil service exemptions in our licensing law for non-social workers. This removal will move us to title protection.
Collaborate
Pink Slip Legislation- We will continue to support the inclusion of LISWs in the pink slip legislation (formerly SB 53) providing us to put a mental health hold on individuals at risk to self and others. and its passage. The Counselor association will be taking the leading role in this issue.
GLBT Rights Legislation- Work with the organization, ‘Equality Ohio’ to support anti-discrimination legislation which will focus on employment and housing issues.
Workforce Issues- We will work with other organizations to ensure that social workers are hired and retained in a myriad of work settings.
Follow
Health care- Collaborate with the Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage, a coalition that supports insurance market reforms, public coverage or subsidies to make coverage affordable, shared responsibility for health care spending, and other measures. NASW-OH is also a member of the UHCAN Coalition (United Healthcare Action Network).
The Ohio Chapter is also a member of:
The Coalition for Patient Rights. A coalition of associations and providers working to improve timely access to quality and appropriate health care treatment and medication for the optimal well-being of all Ohioans. Cheri L. Walter, Chair – Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities.
The Ohio Statewide Health Disparities Collaborative provides a coordinated effort to address heatlh disparities in Ohio and serve as a vehicle for the development of a policy agenda and funding strategies in the futures. The foal of the Collaborative is to serve as a catalyst in creating successful community partnerships to reduce health disparities for low income and minority families. Convener: Children’s Defense Fund
Reproductive Rights- Collaborate with the Coalition for Family Health on the ‘Ohio Prevention First’ efforts to pass legislation for comprehensive sex education and coverage for contraceptives.
Education- Collaborate with multiple coalitions to ensure that social workers are involved in schools and that schools receive equitable funding.
The Ohio Chapter is also a member of the following coalitions:
The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Corporate Roundtable. Mission: To facilitate the meaningful exchange of information around public policy issues between Ohio's Corporate community and members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus. The Ohio Legislative Black Caucus Corporate Round Table is a collaborative think tank of members of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, businesses, associations, non-profit organizations and other members of the Ohio's corporate community. The Round Table was constituted for the purpose of providing a forum for education and the exploration of public policy issues, particularly as they relate to the African American community.
Ohio Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Consortium. The mission of the OSIP Violence Prevention Consortium is to promote the prevention of sexual and intimate partner violence by creating an infrastructure that connects state agencies and local communities in working together toward the elimination of gender inequality and other systemic oppression. Conveners: Ohio Domestic Violence Network and Ohio Department of Health.
Women’s Advocacy Action Network. The Network seeks to unite the voices of women across race, class, and religion to seek justice for Ohio’s children. The focus and goal is to educate the Community about the needs of children.
Have a Heart Ohio (HAHO) represents over one hundred organizations that provide health and human services to hundreds of thousands of Ohioans. For over two decades, Have A Heart Ohio has been advocating on behalf of Ohio's low-income families, children and individuals—fighting for meaningful welfare reform and workforce policies, supporting sufficient human service funding, supporting health care coverage for low-income working parents and other policies that improve the lives of Ohio's most vulnerable citizens.
The Coalition for Healthy Communities’ Mental Health Managed Care Reform/Oversight Work Group: We will focus solely on addressing issues & concerns to improve access for individuals who have private insurance that includes treatment benefits for mental health, alcohol and/or substance abuse coverage, whose treatment has been denied or limited by a managed care company (recognizing that improvements on the private side of managed care will benefit individuals covered by Medicaid managed care). Convener: Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association.
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