Agenda
12:00 – 12:15 pm Welcome Remarks
Rebekah Gewirtz, Executive Director NASW and Meredith Sinel, LICSW, NASW-RI Board President Introduces Elected State Officials
12:15 – 12:30 pm Proclamation of March as Social Work Month
LeeAnn Byrne, MSW Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Greg Amore
12:30 – 1:00 pm Keynote Address
Jay Nimmaggada, PhD, Professor and Former Interim Dean, Rhode Island College School of Social Work
1:00 – 1:15 pm Break
(Water and Snacks Will Be Provided)
Please eat lunch prior to the event.
1:15 – 2:00 pm Panel Discussion Addressing Barriers To Entry Into Social Work: Policy Solutions. Moderator:
Rebekah Gewirtz, Executive Director, NASW-RI Panelists:
Representative Mary Ann Shallcross Smith
Senator Alana DiMario
Elisy Blanco-Mercado, PPSD
Justine Jungels, PPSD
2:00 – 2:20 pm Lobbying 101
Erich Hasslehurst, NASW-RI Lobbyist
2:20 – 2:30 pm Closing Remarks
Leslie Scherny, NASW-RI Intern
2:30 – 3:00 pm Tour the State House
(Including the House and Senate Chambers)
A special thanks to our Chapter's Policy & Advocacy Committee for their dedication and support in planning this year's LEAD event. For more information on our advocacy agenda, visit: https://naswri.socialworkers.org/Advocacy
Thank You to our Sponsors!
Getting To The State House
Address
The Rhode Island State House is located at
82 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02903
Parking
Metered spaces are available on Smith, Francis, and Gaspee streets for up to 4 hours, accepting only coins and the Passport Parking app. Handicapped parking is accessible on the east side of the building. The Providence Place Mall parking garage is $2 for under 5 hours
Entering the building
Enter either from the Smith Street side, facing away from downtown, or through the staff entrance from the small parking lot for those with mobility constraints.
Locating the State Library
Upon arrival, walk through the security metal detector and up the main stairs to the State Library, which is situated on the second floor directly above the main entrance.