On March 26, 2026, National Catholic School of Social Service students and staff participated in the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work & Policy (CRISP) Social Work Student Day of Advocacy, an annual event that brings social work students from across the country to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers and advocate for policy priorities affecting the profession. NCSSS was proud to serve as a cosponsor of this year's event.
A group of BSW and MSW students, accompanied by NCSSS Field Director Frank Gaetani, LCSW, had the opportunity to meet with representatives from Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's office. The group advocated for the protection of social work as a professional degree, a critical issue given proposed federal rulemaking that would reclassify MSW programs as non-professional degrees, limiting students' access to federal graduate loans. They also discussed the SAVE Act. The experience gave students a first-hand look at policy advocacy and the important role social workers play in shaping legislation.