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ELAN Committee Charge

ELAN Committee Charge

Authorization and Accountability

The Education and Legislative Action Network (ELAN) is authorized and accountable to the NASW-CT Chapter Board of Directors.

Purpose

The ELAN committee studies legislative issues of importance to the human services field and the social work profession and makes recommendations to the Chapter’s Board of Directors regarding legislative priorities; disseminates information on issues and legislation via newsletters, alerts, e-mails, phone calls, house parties, workshops, conferences and speaking engagements; identifies, monitors, lobbies and testifies on key pieces of legislation; solicits information from the membership regarding issues of concern; joins with other like-minded organizations and coalitions to maximize impact; mobilizes social workers and encourages their involvement in the legislative process; and coordinates its work with the NASW-CT Political Action Committee, CT-PACE.

Time Frame

The committee shall be an ongoing state unit.

Members, Terms, and Criteria

The committee shall be comprised of a minimum of eight members, including at least one Board member. There shall be a chair person appointed by the President of the CT. Chapter and a co-chair if deemed viable by the President. There are no term limits to serve on this committee.

Specific Responsibilities

  1. Establish a legislative agenda based on solicitation of the interests of the membership;
  2. Meet with schools of social work in CT. to educate students and faculty on legislative issues and the legislative process and to encourage their participation;
  3. Hold mini-lobby days and a statewide lobby day at the State Capitol to educate students and faculty about the legislative process;
  4. Obtain and disseminate timely information to targeted members on needed legislative action;
  5. Attend coalition meetings and take leadership on various coalitions to support social work issues;
  6. Advocate for issues that encourage diversity and broaden the base of professional social work practice;
  7. Advocate for adequate funding for human service programs;
  8. Promote the use of “best practices” in the provision of services;
  9. Advocate for accessible, culturally competent and community based services;
  10. Provide continuing education to enhance social work practice and support licensure needs of the profession;
  11. Help develop policies that create social change for the betterment of individuals, families and the community.