CSC contingent attends Legislative Days

 The purpose of the annual event in Lincoln is to provide the opportunity for social work students across the state to come together, learn about legislation, and be heard by lawmakers regarding social work topics.

Vanessa Mader, a junior of Biddle, Mont., said the breakout session she attended about hoarding was incredibly interesting and educational.

“We tend to focus so much on the ‘bigger’ topics that sometimes these smaller topics get brushed under the rug. It is important to remember, however, that these ‘little’ topics are someone's world, and are equally as important as the ‘big’ issues,” she said.

“The second breakout session helped me understand some of the startling statistics pertaining to juvenile delinquency in Nebraska and the legislation that is currently being debated to lower those numbers. As we were able to make connections with other social work students, experience the legislative process, and learn more about some unknown topics, our collaborative feeling was this trip was well worth our time,” she said

After the breakout sessions, the CSC students walked to the state capitol where they ate lunch with state senators and discussed social work issues and topics. The group also observed the Unicameral while it was in session. 

Mader said, “The overall point of this conference is to learn what it means to bring legislation forward, and fight for what we stand for. This learning experience gives us a clearer picture of what life as a social worker should look like.”