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.