2026 Social Work Advocacy Week
Calling all MN Social Workers to advocate at the Capitol!
Social Work Advocacy Week:
March 2, 3, 4, 2026
This year’s events include online information sessions about advocacy and key policy issues on Monday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 3, culminating in action at Social Work Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 4. Registration open through Advocacy Week but sign up before February 23 to ensure NASW-MN can assist you in scheduling a time to meet your Legislator.
3/2/26: Online advocacy sessions (Free CEUs!) 12pm - 5:15pm
3/3/26: Online advocacy sessions (Free CEUs!) 9:00 am – 4:15 pm
3/4/26 Social Work Day at the MN Capitol (Free CEUs!) - 8:30 am – 3:30 pm in-person at the Minnesota State Capitol complex and Christ on Capitol Hill (Christ Lutheran Church)
Rally at the Capitol will be 11am on March 4!
Free and open to all.
Check Out our Social Work Advocacy Week Schedule!
To save the schedule, information, and presenters for SW Advocacy Week, check out our downloadable schedule at a glance HERE!
March 2 Schedule - VIA ZOOM
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March 3 Schedule - VIA ZOOM
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March 4 Schedule - AT THE CAPITOL IN PERSON
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12:00-1:00 PM
MN Advocacy in 2026
Jenny Arneson, LGSW
Legislative Consultant
NASW-MN & Coalition of Licensed Social Workers
1:15-2:45 PM
Non-Profits: Federal Impact on MN's Budget & State Advocacy
Nan Madden, MN Budget Project
Halla Henderson, MN Council of Nonprofits
3:00-4:00 PM
National Advocacy in 2026
Jeremy Haines, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations for NASW, National Office
4:15-5:15 PM
School Social Work Funding in MN
Jenny Arneson, LGSW
Legislative Consultant
NASW-MN & Coalition of Licensed Social Workers
Christy McCoy, LICSW
Legislative Chair, MN School Social Workers Association
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9:00-10:00 AM
Title Protection for County Social Workers
Jenny Arneson, LGSW, Legislative Consultant NASW-MN & Coalition of Licensed Social Workers
Dr. Karen Goodenough, LGSW Executive Director, NASW-MN
10:15-11:15 AM
Reimbursement for Clinical Trainees
Angie Laschinger
MN Department of Commerce, Mental Health Insurance Parity
Jim Stoltz, LICSW, LADC, CSAT-C
Legislative Chair, MN Society for Clinical Social Work
11:30-12:30 PM
Housing Advocacy: Statewide Solutions for More Housing
Yes to Homes Coalition Panel:
Courtney Schaff
MN Housing Partnership
Brit Anbacht
Neighbors For More Neighbors
12:45-1:45 PM
Child Welfare: Foster Advocacy
Elena Leomi
Foster Advocates
2:00-3:00 PM
Gun Violence in our Community
Kathleen Anderson, LICSW
Moms Demand Action & Protect MN
Jess Paylon
Violence Free MN
3:15-4:15 PM
Meeting the Moment: Responding and Organizing in our Community
Greg Luce Adoptee, Rights Law Center
Amanda Otero, Take Action MN
Andrea Kristensen, International Institute of MN
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8:30 AM
Participant Check In
Christ on Capitol Hill Lutheran Church
8:30-10:30 AM
Poster making table open/ card making option
Christ on Capitol Hill Lutheran Church
8:15-10:00 AM
House committee meetings: Commerce; Human Services; Labor; Veterans
MN Capitol Building
8:15-10:00 AM
Senate Committee Hearings: Ed Finance; Finance; HHS; Taxes
MN Capitol Building
9:30-11:00 AM
Legislator Appointments Available
various location
10:00-10:45 AM
Capitol Tour Available
Capitol Building
11:00-11:30 AM
Rally
Outside MN Capitol Building
12:00-1:00 PM
Participants invited to lunch together
various locations
12:00-3:00 PM
Legislator Appointments Available
various locations
12:30 - 2:30 PM
Senate Committee Hearings: Energy/Utilities/Energy/Climate; Ed Policy; Judiciary & Public Safety; Jobs
Capitol Building
1:00 - 2:45 PM
House committee meetings: Health, Transportation; Agriculture; Elections
Capitol Building
1:00-1:45 and 2:00-2:45 PM
Capitol Tours Available
Capitol Building
3:00 - 3:15 PM
Conclusion and bingo drawing
Christ on Capitol Hill Lutheran Church
3:00 - 4:45 PM
House committee meetings: Public Safety; Children & Families; Housing; Ed Policy
Capitol Building
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View Our Orientation Video to See Where You'll Be Going!
Watch our 2026 Legislative Launch to prepare for Advocacy Week!
Safety and Security at the MN Capitol
Capitol security practices have changed. Social workers should expect screening procedures and we encourage registrants to read the policy and review items that are now banned. Information on Capitol Security can be found here:
https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/msp/state-patrol-dashboard/capitol-security-dashboard/plan-your-visit-mn-state-capitol
While “Operation Metro Surge” has officially ended, we are aware that there is still a heightened ICE presence in our communities. For those concerned about ICE at the Capitol, be aware that all official state buildings are considered public property and no warrant is needed for entry, but the Christ on Capitol Hill Lutheran Church, which serves as our home base for the day, is private property and ICE will not be admitted without a signed judicial warrant. We have volunteers on site who can escort you if you would like support, and there is a tunnel complex connecting the various buildings at the Capitol Complex that allows you to travel between buildings without having to go outside.
2026 Social Work Advocacy Week Sponsors