Efforts to Recruit, Retain and Research Nations Social Workers Gain Bipartisan Support in Congress

For Immediate Release February 27, 2008

Contact
Gail Woods-Waller
202-336-8236 or gwaller@naswdc.org

Allison Nadelhaft
202-336-8228 or anadelhaft@naswdc.org

Dr. Dorothy I. Height Joined U.S. Congressmen Ed Towns and Chris Shays Today to Seek Support for H.R. 5447, The Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act

Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT), Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Dorothy I. Height, Dr. Elizabeth J Clark, PhD, ACSW - NASW Executive Director
Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT), Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Dorothy I. Height, Dr. Elizabeth J Clark, PhD, ACSW

WASHINGTON—Congress is being asked to help the nation’s 600,000 professional social workers better serve families and communities in need. U.S. Representative Edolphus Towns (D-NY) has introduced a bill that will establish a Social Work Reinvestment Commission to study policy issues associated with recruitment, retention, research and reinvestment in the profession of social work, and will support replicable programs of excellence throughout the country.

Original cosponsors include Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT), Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA), Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), and Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH).

The United States is experiencing unprecedented levels of human, social service and health care needs. These needs now transcend social and economic strata, affect the old and the young, and place tremendous burdens on those in the middle. As a result, millions of Americans, from all walks of life, are served daily by social workers.

However, competing policy priorities, fiscal constraints, significant educational debt, comparatively insufficient salaries, increased administrative burdens, and unsupportive work environments are just a few of the common obstacles encountered by professional social workers. These barriers impede the delivery of essential services, affect recruitment and retention in the profession, and compromise access to necessary care—especially for the most vulnerable.

Social Work Reinvestment Commission

H.R. 5447 will create a commission to research social work’s impact in practice areas such as aging, child welfare, military and veterans’ affairs, mental and behavioral health and disability, criminal justice, and health. It will also study issues facing the profession, including fair market compensation, high social work educational debt, and social work safety, as well as state level social work and reciprocity agreements. These recommendations will be presented to Congress and the Executive Branch.

Demonstration Grants

H.R. 5447 will support demonstration grants related to workplace improvements, social service research, social work education and training, and programs of excellence. These competitive demonstration grants will support efforts underway within both the private and public sectors, at colleges and universities, and within community-based organizations that already administer programs in high need, high demand areas.

The bill is named after two American social work pioneers and civil rights icons, Dr. Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. (see attached backgrounder for details)

At today’s briefing in the Cannon House Office Building, Mr. Towns said, “I am honored and privileged to recognize the historic efforts and legacies of two of my personal heroes in supporting a profession that each of us has been proud to call our own. Through the Social Work Reinvestment Act we have a unique opportunity to outline, develop, and implement strategies that truly help the people of America. Social workers have a direct and measurable impact upon millions of families; they deserve our gratitude and support.”

Dr. Height reminded the audience, “Social workers seldom seek recognition for their work because they are focused on meeting the needs of their clients and communities. Yet, we must stop asking them to do more with less. They simply need adequate support for work that they do. A national investment in the social work profession can improve the quality of the lives of millions of people.”

Mr. Shays said, “Social workers are dedicated to improving the quality of life for so many and it is important that we return the favor. I am grateful for the work they do and this legislation will provide independent advice on how to improve their profession.”

According to Dr. Elizabeth Clark, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers, “State-based efforts to improve working conditions and educational supports for social workers will be greatly strengthened by the proposed national legislation. We’re thrilled that such distinguished Members of Congress want to ensure the future of our profession.”

For more information about H.R. 5447, the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act, please visit www.socialworkreinvestment.org.

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3 Responses to “Efforts to Recruit, Retain and Research Nations Social Workers Gain Bipartisan Support in Congress”

  1. Nell Beauchaine Says:
    March 1st, 2008 at 11:01 pm

    What about accountability? Did anyone ask social worker’s clients for their opinions? Of course they want more money. They are underpaid, and they have a hard job. The good ones tend to quit because of annoying idiotic bureaucracy. The bad ones tear apart the lives they claim they are trying to help.

    Throwing more money at this situation without demanding accountability and openess in return is just asking for trouble.

  2. Elizabeth Says:
    March 12th, 2008 at 12:30 pm

    The Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act (HR 5447) seeks to build on historical investments in the profession of social work. From the 1930s through the 1970s, social work was held in high regard and social workers were rewarded for their hard work. Unfortunately, in recent decades government funding and support of the social work profession has been limited. As a result, many social workers are struggling with stagnant salaries, insurmountable educational debt, and unresolved safety concerns.

    HR 5447 takes steps to address these workforce challenges in two ways. First, the bill provides direct support for the profession through demonstration programs in the areas of workplace improvements, research, education and training, and community-based programs of excellence. The goal is to recognize the many successful efforts already undertaken by our nation’s social workers, while carefully examining persistent challenges to these efforts.

    Accountability is a key factor when selecting recipients of these competitive demonstration grants. Priority will be given to programs and institutions that have the proven financial and administrative capacity to oversee and monitor the demonstration grants, as well as to those with documented needs, in-depth knowledge, and demonstrable success with the issues.

    Additionally, the demonstration grants require that selected programs exhibit knowledge and understanding of diversity, participation of professionally trained social workers, and proven experience and success. These grants are competitive and require follow-up analysis.

    The Social Work Reinvestment Commission is an equally integral component of HR 5447. This panel of influential thought leaders will provide a comprehensive analysis of current trends within the professional and academic social work communities. Specifically, the Commission will develop long-term recommendations and strategies to maximize the ability of professional social workers to serve America’s families and communities with expertise and care.

    Ultimately, this bill seeks to improve the social work profession. The Social Work Reinvestment Commission will determine the scope and severity of the social work shortage crisis and lay the appropriate groundwork for ensuring the future of the profession.

  3. Thomas Kennedy Says:
    March 18th, 2008 at 7:39 pm

    Its about time we started to look out for ourselves and invest in the profession. My salary does not compare with other degrees but as a social worker we must have at least a BA or a master degree. I just invested 33.000 on a master’s degree for a 3 % increase in pay. Its not fair.

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