Influencing State Policy Contest
University of Washington, Tacoma Program
Group Members
Julie Nygaard, Contact Person
6416 - 155th Avenue East
Sumner, WA 98390-3607
(253) 863-3488
jen1757@u.washington.edu
Malinda Brown
Pat Cripe
Jeannie Jackson
Robert Nowak
Catherine Wilson
Bachelor of Arts, Social Welfare
Social Work Program
University of Washington, Tacoma
Campus Box 358425
1900 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA 98402-3100
(253) 692-5820
Faculty Advisor
Janice Laakso, Ph.D, MSSW
Assistant Professor
Social Work Program
(253) 692-5824
jlaakso@u.washington.edu
The purpose of the project was to advocate for the passage of the Family Stabilization and Emergency Hunger Act in the 58th Legislative Session of 2004 for Washington State. Due to worsening conditions in other states, we learned that our state improved slightly (by default) from second worst in the nation for food insecurity, to fifth. Because our state's condition had not actually improved, we knew that it was critical that the hunger bill be passed.
House Bill (HB) 2769 and Senate Bill (SB) 6411 included 4 vital components. This legislation would require all public schools to provide free and reduced breakfast and lunch programs. Currently, 140 schools have no breakfast programs and 28 schools have no programs at all. Second, TANF families would automatically receive 5 months of food stamps as they transitioned off welfare. Another provision would delete the current requirement that recipients report to Department of Social and Health Services offices every 3 months, whether there are any changes in circumstances or not. Families would only report changes in income that make them ineligible for benefits. And lastly, a very significant, but contentious, section of the bill would lift the lifetime ban on previously convicted drug felons so they could, when eligible, receive food stamps to support them in their efforts to rehabilitate and re-enter society. This stipulation was only in SB 6411. According to one legislator, this was thought to facilitate the defeat of this bill, along with the costs attributed to the school food programs.
To advocate for this critical legislation, our group first developed a fact sheet that explained the importance of the bill. We then attended Hunger Action Day 2004 at the state capitol which included a briefing session and a rally. On this day, we visited all of our legislators and distributed our fact sheet to their offices, as well as other key locations throughout the capitol grounds. We also met with one of the committee members and discussed the merits of the bill and its critical ramifications. In speaking with this representative, our group learned that Washington State ranks feeding our hungry at about sixth on its priority list. We concluded our day by attending the committee meeting that heard the bill.
After our return from the lobby day, we sent an email campaign to approximately 533 social work students, on both of the University of Washington campuses, urging them to contact their legislators in support of this vital legislation. We included information on determining who their legislators were, a sample letter, and a phone number to call in support of this bill. At one point, two crucial components-- the food programs for children and food stamps for persons previously convicted of drug-related felonies-- were removed. When we learned that these essential aspects had been reinstated, with added resolve, we sent a second email to all University of Washington social work students emphasizing the power of their voices. We reminded them of how imperative it was that they contact their representatives immediately. Our group sent letters individually to each of our Representatives and Senators, urging their support.
To our great surprise, the bill did pass intact. This included the most controversial aspect, of doing away with the lifetime ban on convicted drug felons and, the most expensive portion, the school food programs. As a result, it is estimated that approximately 3,200 individuals and their families who have previously been denied food stamps because of their felony convictions, will now have the opportunity to receive this benefit. It is thought this will aid in the reduction of the recidivism rate. Further, all schools will offer impoverished families the benefit of school breakfast and lunch programs. It has been shown that having enough to eat each day is crucial to a child's cognitive and academic performance (as well as emotional well-being). Additionally, approximately 4,072 disadvantaged individuals will become eligible for food stamps over the course of the first year, to help in the transition from welfare to self-sufficiency.
Our group learned the importance of making our voices heard. We were told that it takes hearing from as few as 15 constituents to influence a legislator's votes. In spite of opposition to some provisions of the bill, we did not lose hope nor stop our advocacy on behalf of the bill. Ultimately, we found, to our great excitement, that our efforts may have been instrumental in the return of these vital aspects. We have become empowered and learned new skills. We feel our lives are forever changed. We now know that we can be successful in helping to change policies.
