On March 31, more than 500 social work students, newer professionals, and advocates convened at the State House for the National Association of Social Workers’ annual Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD), which Dorchester’s Carla B. Monteiro, one of the featured speakers, described as a “dynamic opportunity for social work students and social workers to use their collective power to advocate for state policy changes.” according to Dorchester’s Carla B. Monteiro, a licensed social worker and one of the featured speakers.

His message: “LEAD is an opportunity for social workers to meet the moment.”

The event featured two opening speakers, Rebekah Gewirtz and Yvonne Ruiz, the national association’s board president and a professor at Salem State’s School of Social Work, and two keynote speakers, Monteiro and Mattapan state Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid.

The LEAD agenda has four priority bills: one for continuing education grants, the Social Worker Interstate Compact, a local option for overdose prevention centers, and a bill to increase cash assistance for families in deep poverty with children.