NASW-NC Legislative Session Update: Action Alerts and Child Welfare Bill Signed Into Law

North Carolina legislators are still at a standstill on the state budget. NASW-NC anticipates that it will be a few more weeks until we see any more news on the state budget. This week’s advocacy update provides several ways you can take action on issues happening in NC, Texas, and at the Federal level.

NASW-NC Action Alert

On Wednesday, the North Carolina House of Representatives cast the final vote on House Bill 324 Ensuring Dignity & Nondiscrimination/Schools. NASW-NC is opposed to this bill. The bill now goes to Governor Cooper to sign into law, veto, or let it become law without his signature. We are asking social workers to contact Governor Cooper and ask him to VETO this legislation.

Take action here!

NASW Action Alert

NASW advocates for policy changes that mitigate the harmful effects of climate change and environmental threats to the communities we serve. Social workers' voices are critical to advancing this agenda. Earlier this year, NASW endorsed a set of recommendations with The Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health that ask the Biden-Harris Administration to make the climate crisis one of its top priorities by declaring a climate health emergency and promoting health equity throughout federal agencies.

Now there is a big debate underway in Congress on funding for climate action. We must make sure that social workers are heard loud and clear – climate change harms health and mental health, climate solutions improve health, and we need those solutions now.

These next few weeks present an opportunity to protect and promote health in the era of climate change by encouraging policymakers to embrace these priorities. 

Please take a few minutes out of your day to send a pre-filled form to your members of Congress.

Texas social workers

You may have seen the news in Texas about the restrictive six-week abortion ban . Here is a petition from the NASW Texas Chapter about how the law impacts social workers. You can sign and share their petition to help support them. This is a great example of community organizing and supporting our profession in other states.

Additionally, NASW-NC Legislative Committee member Lynne Walter, MSW wrote several ways you can support and take action here to support abortion access. 

Governor Cooper signs child welfare bill

Governor Cooper signed Senate Bill 693 Expedite Child Safety and Permanency into law on Wednesday, September 1. This legislation brings several changes to our child welfare service delivery system. Social worker and state Senator Sydney Batch said, the legislation “makes meaningful changes in the lives of so many children and families across our State. Children and families in the child welfare system are some of the most vulnerable in NC. Some children in need of mental health services have been stranded in emergency rooms for weeks. Others wait years to be adopted or reunited with their families. This law will change that.  Much work is needed to improve our child welfare system, but SB 693 is an excellent start.”

For detailed information on the bill, see the legislative bill digest which breaks down each section of the bill.