Lane Siebert brings her life story to the big picture of social work

By Geoff LoCicero
VCU School of Social Work

Lane Siebert's personal experiences with addiction and the criminal justice system have shaped her interest in social work - but far beyond the personal level.

At Virginia Commonwealth University, Siebert entered the School of Social Work master's program with an eye toward clinical practice that focuses on the individual. But she quickly found herself drawn to macro practice, which examines how policies, institutions and societal systems shape individual outcomes.

"The problem is the systems; the problem is not the people," Siebert said. "Social workers can make a huge difference in individual lives, but if we don't look at the systems, we're just addressing symptoms."

That macro perspective informs Siebert's growing interest in research, particularly on the experiences of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. She hopes to study "prisonization," or the impact of long-term incarceration on individuals, as she considers pursuing a Ph.D.

"One of the things I'm most passionate about is music-based mindfulness," Siebert said. "People in prisons and jails don't have access to music, and I think that's a human rights violation."

Her own experiences within the criminal justice system have given her a lens on the importance of reform and rehabilitation. Siebert believes social workers can play a critical role in advancing alternatives that prioritize dignity and long-term well-being, and the School of Social Work is increasingly emphasizing that point.

Associate professor Kimberly Compton, Ph.D., leads the School of Social Work's macro initiatives, connecting students, alumni, faculty and community partners to increase visibility for macro social work. Compton has developed a Macro Fellows advisory group and has held career-focused events and a series with visiting scholars over the past two academic years.

"Macro social workers are visionaries, healers and creators dedicated to shaping change in themselves and the world around them," Compton said.

Guided by compassion

Siebert put her passion into action this spring, speaking before members of the General Assembly and drawing on her experience as a pregnant woman in recovery. She had only a minute to make her case, urging Virginia lawmakers to support HB283; the amendment would prevent healthcare providers from reporting patients to Child Protective Services solely on patients' use of prescribed drugs for opioid addiction recovery.

"I was on methadone when I was pregnant. It was the only next step if you want to have your baby and enter recovery," Siebert said. "If my doctor had followed that law and made a report, I don't feel confident at all that I would be here today, or that my daughter would be here."

The bill, which Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed into law in April, reflects a shift in thinking from punitive responses to substance use to approaches rooted in care and recovery.

Siebert's long-term recovery journey began after the birth of her daughter, who is now 24.

"My daughter saved my life. She changed everything and made recovery possible," she said.

Siebert described the previous law as one that blurred the line between care and punishment. In her testimony, she emphasized that policies requiring healthcare providers to report patients in treatment can undermine trust and deter people from seeking lifesaving care.

"The law confuses care with surveillance," Siebert said. "It can end up criminalizing recovery and survival. People in these situations are trying their hardest. Compassion needs to guide what we do."

At VCU, Siebert has found a framework to translate those beliefs into action. She credits faculty and classmates with helping her refine her goals and embrace her voice as an advocate.

"I think of compassion not as a trait that I have but as a discipline - it's my entire orientation," she said. "This program is the best place to hone that."

Powerful advocacy

Siebert is not alone in her interest in advocacy. Two groups of social work students visited the General Assembly this year - for Intergenerational Advocacy Day in January with Voices for Virginia's Children, and for Foster Care Advocacy Day in February with Children's Home Society of Virginia.

"These experiences help to demystify political and legislative processes, while making macro practice more tangible for students," said Amanda Long, the School of Social Work's coordinator of child welfare initiatives, who led the student visits. "In addition to being a valuable learning experience, students walk away feeling empowered and motivated to use their voice for positive change."

Siebert's advocacy at the General Assembly reflects that broader vision.

"Social workers are going to be the ones that help us move forward," she said. "Not just in direct practice, but throughout systems: helping shape policies, organizations and responses that are rooted in care."

By sharing her story, Siebert hopes to inform policy decisions and highlight the unintended consequences of well-meaning laws. Making her case to lawmakers, she said, was both challenging and empowering.

"It was nerve-wracking but also invigorating," Siebert said. "You have so little time, but it matters. Being able to say, clearly and directly, what these policies mean for real people - that's powerful."