The Society's Legislative Mission

Laura Groshong, WSSCSW Legislative Chair

The Washington State Society for Clinical Social Work strives to advocate for the interests of licensed independent clinical social workers in Washington. We have two lobbyists, Lonnie Johns-Brown and myself, who track all legislation and regulation which affects clinical social workers. We read over 100 bills a year and attend committee hearings, lobby legislators, agencies, and the Governor, and work with fellow lobbyists and legislative chairs to support the positions developed by the Society Board. We have successfully passed over 12 bills, including our social work licensure law, and 8 rules which implement the bill (see Licensure.)

The following areas cover the areas of legislative activity that Lonnie and I work on.

Legislation and Regulation – Lonnie and I work as a team to develop bills which support clinical social work; lobby legislators to support our positions; testify at Committee hearings about bills affecting clinical social work; and work with the Department of Health to develop Rules affecting clinical social workers;

Election Involvement – the Society is a member of MH-PAC, a political action committee, which works to endorse and elect state candidates who support the goals of ethical mental health treatment and clinical social work. There are 8 other mental health groups that support the work of MH-PAC. MH-PAC has distributed over $12,000 to candidates over the past 4 legislative cycles and has a 95% success rate in having endorsed candidates elected.

Task Forces/Work Groups – the Society frequently has a representative participating in Task Forces or Work Groups which study various issues prior to the development of legislation. The Society recently participated in the Registered Counselor Task Force (2006) and the Registered Counselor Work Group (2007) which led to the reorganization of the registered counselor category into 8 new categories, including the "Licensed Social Work Associate-Clinical" category for new professionals.

Any Society member wishing to work on any of the above areas should contact me at lwgroshong@comcast.net. There is great satisfaction in successful advocacy and I welcome all who have an interest to participate.