About this Event
The 2026 Advocacy Day will once again occur at Washburn University in the morning with the afternoon set aside for meetings with legislators and observing committee meetings.
For the past 27 years - Kansas social work programs at universities and colleges across Kansas have come together to provide over 300 social workers from across the state to colloborate on an annual advocacy day training at Washburn University.
Social work students travel from across Kansas representing each of the graduate and undergraduate programs of professional social work education.
Professional social workers are also encouraged to attend and 2.5 CEU's are available for the morning session.
The Morning Program:
8:30 - Pastry/Fruit Buffet
9:00 - 11:30 - Advocacy Skills Training
Learn from social workers serving in the KS Legislature:
Rep. Susan Ruiz, LSCSW , Rep. Heather Meyer, BSW, Rep. Suzanne Wikle, MSW
Learn organizing and policy skills from legislative advocates who mobilize on legislative issues in the Capitol and across Kansas.
Training held at:
Washburn University, Memorial Union - 1820 SW Jewell Ave
Washburn Room A and B - https://www.washburn.edu/about/visit/index.html
We encourage participants to eat lunch at Washburn University Memorial Union through purchasing food or bringing your lunch due to limited food options at or near the State Capitol in downtown Topeka.
Afternoon Program Options: (On your own)
1:30: Legislative Committees Begin
2:30: Kansas Senate Convenes into Session
Meeting with Legislators (appointments will be made by attendees)
The afternoon is on your own and is focused on meeting with your legislators and attending legislative committee meetings.
This is one of the most important parts of the day for participants to visit the offices of their house and senate representatives and watch a legislative committee meeting or live proceedings on the floor.
Volunteer social workers will direct participants once they enter the State Capitol.
Please contact your legislator prior to Advocacy Day to set up a meeting with them.
The following two websites provide their contact information:
https://openstates.org or http://www.kslegislature.org
Address - State Capitol, SW 10th and Jackson entrance is through the Visitor Center on the NORTH side of the capitol. Parking map and locations - https://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-state-capitol-parking/11708
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Washburn University - Memorial Union at Washburn Room, 1820 SW Jewell, Topeka, United States
USD 0.00
