Mississippi Advocacy

NASW Mississippi Legislative Agenda 2022

Adopted October 30, 2021 NASW MS Board of Directors

1. Maintain social work licensing law with current language in the law.
2. Oppose changes in the composition and scope of practice of the MS Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage & Family Therapists.
3. Support continuation of and Medicaid Expansion to meet the healthcare needs of the people in Mississippi.
4. Support adequate funding for all services that affect the well-being of at-risk populations and increase funding where cuts were recommended.
5. Support and advocate for legislation to include social workers as frontline essential employees/workers in the American Rescue funding allocated to the state of Mississippi.
6. Support legislation for equity pay for women living wage in the state of Mississippi.
7. Support legislation that addresses systemic public health and economic inequities in the American Rescue Plan.
8. Change the wording of the state law to absolutely require full funding of the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) using language the MS Supreme Court could use for ruling purposes.
9. Support proposed legislation to expand police reform bills locally and nationally that includes social workers.
10. Support the Improving Access to Mental Health federal legislation to focus on those disproportionately affected by COVID 19.
11. Support the proposed federal Build Better Business Plan and the Child Tax Credit (CTC).
12. Support student loan forgiveness programs for social workers.
13. Support any legislation involving marginalized communities.
14. Support legislation involving felony disfranchisement, voting rights, and the ballot box.

* NASW MS Advocacy Day at the MS State Capitol is held on February 16, 2022

NASW-MS Supports an Inclusive Flag for Everyone

NASW-MS strongly supports changing the state flag of Mississippi to move forward in the best interest of all Mississippians. The outcry for a change in the state flag has permeated in the state for almost two decades. Thus, the issue of a new state flag can no longer continue to be ignored, dismissed, or deflected.

Read the full statement

Advocacy Letters

• Read our letter in opposition to SB 2113 "Critical Race Theory; prohibit."