Overview & Mission

The NASW Ohio Legislative Advocacy Committee (LAC) is a vehicle for social workers and students to learn about the political process and engage in legislative advocacy in the name of our clients, our profession, and our ethics and values. The committee is focused on the Ohio state legislature, reviewing, evaluating, prioritizing, and taking action on state legislation relevant to social work practice and values. The mission of the committee is to enhance the well-being of all Ohioans, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are oppressed, by engaging in legislative advocacy guided by social work values and ethics. 

The NASW Ohio Legislative committee focuses on taking a pro-active approach in Ohio’s government, advocating for vulnerable populations and professional issues concerning the field of Social Work. 

To view LAC's current advocacy priorities, please check out our 2024 Legislative Agenda.

Getting Involved

Understanding that we all have different levels of availability, we welcome all to get involved in whatever capacity you can participate. We value the many diverse perspectives that are represented in our profession and welcome all who are interested in engaging in state level advocacy, regardless of NASW Ohio membership. To get involved simply register to attend upcoming meetings here.

Leadership

The LAC Steering Committee is a group of committee members who have committed to helping lead and direct the work of the committee. The Steering Committee is made up of no more than six members. Steering committee members are expected to attend both the general LAC meetings, as well as an additional planning meeting each month. Steering committee members support NASW Ohio Staff and the LAC Chair in facilitating LAC meetings, prioritizing legislative actions, tracking legislation, supporting committee members, providing administrative support, etc. 

Steering Committee Members:

Nichole Geibel, MSSA, LISW-S, CAGCS, LAC Chair

Joe Minarik, MSW, MPP, PhD

Erica Kittleson, MSW, LISW-S, PMH-C

Emily Gemar

Matthew Tippit, MSW, LSW

If you are interested in getting involved in committee leadership please fill out this form. Steering committee members must have attended a minimum of three LAC meetings prior to joining the steering committee. New steering committee members are voted in by the existing members. 

Actions & Outputs

The Legislative Advocacy Committee’s actions could include, but are not limited to:

• Building relationships with members of the Ohio state legislature
• Submitting testimony in favor of or opposition to proposed legislation
• Write op-eds addressing legislative concerns
• Attend coalition meetings to strengthen partnerships and provide social work perspectives
• Mobilize social workers in legislative advocacy action
• Host virtual letter writing or phone calling campaigns
• Create content (graphics, articles, videos, etc.) to raise awareness which NASW OH can share through our communication channels (social media, newsletter, magazine, etc.)

Trainings

Using Clinical Skills in Lobbying

Presented by Co-Chairs Jill Rowland and Matthew Tippit

Watch Here

Policy Analysis Training 

Presented by Matthew Tippit, Emily Gemar, and Joe Minarik 

Watch Here

If you have questions please reach out to NASW Ohio at info.naswoh@socialworkers.org.

If you have an advocacy issue which you would like to present to the committee to take action on please email info.naswoh@socialworkers.org to get on the meeting agenda.