Influencing State Policy

EXAMPLE CONTEST ENTRIES

Analyze the impact of proposed or current state policy on a particular population.
Identify and track a bill in the state legislature over a 2 month period.
Attend the meetings of a human services (sub)committee of the state legislature for a semester.
Prepare and deliver testimony before a (sub)committee on a bill that affects clients.
Organize a group of classmates to attend one or two sessions of the state legislature.
Interview patrons or sponsors of a proposed policy change or new bill.
Organize clients to prepare testimony at public hearings on new proposals or regulations.
Work with the state chapter of NASW in lobbying for its state legislative agenda.
Design a research question or project around current efforts of welfare reform.
Join a coalition or advocacy group and assist in setting and implementing their legislative agenda.
Arrange a meeting(s) with clients and their elected state representative to discuss policies, regulations, or personal views.
Organize and conduct a panel of policy players (legislator, lobbyist, provider, client) at your school on a policy, law or bill that is currently in effect or being proposed.
In field practica/agencies, assist the person(s) who are tracking legislation.
Analyze and compare a particular policy or law among all 50 states or in a given region.
Develop a computer-driven program that tracks legislation in human services and can be updated daily, weekly, monthly, or as needed.
Organize tours of the state capitol for developmentally disabled groups.
Write position papers for candidates who are campaigning for legislative or executive offices.
Conduct a survey of candidates or legislators on their views of proposed legislation or policy and publish the results.
Collaborate with a coalition/advocacy group and a legislator in drafting the language of a proposed policy or bill.
Plan a ”rally day” at the legislature with a sponsoring group or association.
Serve as an intern in the office of a state legislator.
Visit personally your state senator and representative and inform them of your concerns on a particular bill or policy.
Analyze the impact of proposed or current state policy on a particular population.
Identify and track a bill in the state legislature over a 2 month period.
Attend the meetings of a human services (sub)committee of the state legislature for a semester.
Prepare and deliver testimony before a (sub)committee on a bill that affects clients.
Organize a group of classmates to attend one or two sessions of the state legislature.
Interview patrons or sponsors of a proposed policy change or new bill.
Organize clients to prepare testimony at public hearings on new proposals or regulations.
Work with the state chapter of NASW in lobbying for its state legislative agenda.
Design a research question or project around current efforts of welfare reform.
Join a coalition or advocacy group and assist in setting and implementing their legislation.