To: The United States House of Representatives and The United States Senate
Social Work Reinvestment Act
H.R. 1106 Introduced by Congressman Edolphus Towns (D-NY)
S. 584 Introduced by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
Areas of Focus: Fair market compensation, high social work educational debt, social work workforce trends, translating social work research to practice, social work safety, the lack of diversity in the social work profession, and state level social work licensure (as it implicates social work service across state lines) and the impact these issues have on the areas of aging, child welfare, military and veterans affairs, mental and behavioral health and disability, criminal justice and correctional systems, health and issues affecting women and families.
Why is this important?
Introduced.Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the Social Work Reinvestment Commission to provide independent counsel to Congress on policy issues associated with the recruitment for, and retention, research, and reinvestment in, the profession of social work. Directs the Commission to study and report to Congress on issues facing the social work profession, including:
(1) fair market compensation, high social work educational debt, social work workforce trends, translating social work research to practice, and social work safety; and
(2) state-level social work licensure policies and reciprocity agreements for providing services across state lines. Requires such study to assess the professional capacity of the social work workforce to serve and respond successfully to the increasing biopsychosocial needs of individuals, groups, and communities in certain areas, including aging and child welfare. Terminates the Commission 30 days after it submits such report within 18 months of its first meeting. Authorizes the Secretary to award:
(1) workplace improvement grants to eligible entities and individuals to address workplace concerns for the social work profession, including caseloads, compensation, social work safety, supervision, and working conditions; and
(2) research grants, education and training grants, and community-based programs of excellence grants. Directs the Secretary to:
(1) contract with a national social work entity to serve as a coordinating center and clearinghouse for information on activities funded under the grants, and
(2) develop a multi-media outreach campaign and issue public service announcements that advertise and promote the social work profession.