Northwestern Social Work Students, Faculty Attend 'LEAD' Event

April 27, 2018

Attending the National Association of Social Workers, Oklahoma Chapter (NASW-OK) Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD) were (left to right) Morgan Lopez, Jennifer Pribble, Katie Barrows, Levi Sanders, Annie Moss, Sierra Miller and Jamie Metcalf.

Many social work students and practitioners from across the state gathered this month at the Oklahoma Capitol for the National Association of Social Workers, Oklahoma Chapter (NASW-OK) Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD).

Social work students and faculty from Northwestern Oklahoma State University were among the attendees ready to learn about current legislation impacting the profession of social work and the populations they serve. Participating in LEAD provides an opportunity for social work students to engage in macro-level social work and learn effective ways to advocate for populations they will potentially serve; as well as allowing students to understand how to access public policy and interact with their legislators.

“Legislative Education and Advocacy Day provides the opportunity for students to learn about and participate in two very important components of social work education, public policy and social justice advocacy,” Jennifer Pribble, assistant professor of social work and director of field education for the Department of Social Work, said.

The day started with a welcome message from NASW-OK Board President Frannie Pryor, followed by The Honorable Don Anderson, LCSW, ACSW, former state legislator, and former commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. A panel comprised of NASW-OK Executive Director Steven Pharris, LCSW, JD and Sabine Brown, Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator, was moderated by Dallas Pettigrew, MSW. The day concluded with opportunities to engage with legislators.

For more information about Northwestern’s social work program contact Dr. Kylene Rehder, associate professor of social work and chair for the department, at (580) 327-8135 or kdrehder@nwosu.edu or Pribble at (580) 213-3148 or jlpribble@nwosu.edu.

-NW-

CONTACT FOR RELEASE:
Erin Davis, University Relations Specialist
eedavis@nwosu.edu, 580-327-8480