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VCU Social Work Students Speak Up for Kids During 2018 Lobby Day

  • Child Welfare
  • Children’s Mental Health
  • Juvenile Justice
  • State Advocacy

By Allison Gilbreath

Nearly 100 students from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work spoke up for kids’ issues during the Social Work Advocacy Day on Feb. 7, 2018. Voices helped kick off the day by sharing with students strategies that are most effective when meeting with legislators.

Students advocated for kids in foster care, students impacted by the school-to-prison pipeline, the importance of healthcare for all Virginians, and improvements to children’s mental health, among other topics. The social work profession was founded to effect positive social change. Throughout the profession’s history, social workers have sought to ensure all people have equal access to the resources and opportunities that allow them to meet their basic needs. We are glad to know the next generation of social workers has placed a great emphasis on the needs of Virginia’s children.

 

Students and VCU faculty met with Del. Betsy Carr to advocate for the passage of a kinship guardianship assistance program.

 

At the conclusion of the day, students shared how it felt to advocate for kids.

 

“Today presented itself as an opportunity to translate stories, experiences, and factual data into a meaningful and impactful conversation with legislators in order to advocate for the kinship guardianship assistance program and children in foster care.” – Bianca Casper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“As a clinical student, this was a great experience in having the opportunity to engage in macro practices advocating for policies that directly impact our clients.” – Jessica Hubbard

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voices thanks all the students and faculty who used their stories to speak up for kids!


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