Bill Text: NJ AR128 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Expresses support for federal Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Passed) 2011-02-18 - Filed with Secretary of State [AR128 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-AR128-Amended.html
ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 128
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED DECEMBER 9, 2010
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CONNIE WAGNER
District 38 (Bergen)
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblywoman CLEOPATRA G. TUCKER
District 28 (Essex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Fuentes
SYNOPSIS
Expresses support for federal Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Human Services Committee on January 24, 2011, with amendments.
An Assembly Resolution expressing support for the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act.
Whereas, Professional social workers provide and advocate for essential human services on behalf of people from all walks of life and of all age groups; social workers serve as the primary workforce for providing psychosocial services to senior citizens, veterans, abused and neglected children, and at-risk families, offering support and counseling on important life decisions and guiding people in crisis to critical resources; and
Whereas, For more than 100 years, social workers in the United States have entered the profession with a desire to help people in need, especially the most vulnerable; 640,000 social workers throughout the nation touch the lives of 10,000,000 clients every day through their work in hospitals, clinics, schools, universities, community organizations, governmental agencies, prisons, and the military; and
Whereas, While the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that an additional 100,000 social workers will be needed by 2018 to meet the growing demand for social work services, the country's 600 accredited schools and programs of social work often struggle to graduate enough students to keep pace with the volume and complexity of social service needs in their communities; this may have a huge impact in the future as it becomes harder for senior citizens, veterans, abused and neglect children, and at-risk families to access the services they may need; and
Whereas, Many workforce challenges exist that pose significant risks to the health of the profession and the ability of social workers to effectively serve their clients; these challenges include public misperceptions of the profession, insufficient salaries, the prospect of high educational debt, and concerns about workplace safety; these workforce challenges and a rapid increase in the demand for services due to the country's aging population, the recession, and the elimination of important safety net programs make the recruitment and retention of social workers a major policy concern for state and federal governments, schools of social work, and the employers of social workers; and
Whereas, The Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr.
Social Work Reinvestment Act, H.R.795/S.686 of 2009, sponsored by Congressman
Edolphus "Ed" Towns and Senator Barbara Mikulski, respectively, is
designed to explore, identify, and address the workforce challenges that limit
the ability of the social work profession to provide essential social services
to millions of people
in need; the legislation establishes the Social Work Reinvestment Commission
to advise Congress on policy issues related to the social work profession;
awards grants to community-based organizations and other entities to support
the recruitment of social workers, and retention, research, and reinvestment
in, the social work profession, including funding to address issues such as
workplace safety, professional compensation, education, and training; and calls
for the development of a public awareness campaign to promote the social work
profession throughout the United States; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper for the General Assembly to express its support for the 1introduction and1 passage of 1legislation similar to1 H.R.795/S.686 of 2009, the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act, and to urge every member of New Jersey's Congressional delegation to voice their support for this important legislation that allows states and the federal government to invest in the social work professionals who continually invest in communities that need the most assistance; now, therefore1[;],1
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The General Assembly expresses its support for the 1introduction and1 passage of 1legislation similar to1 H.R.795/S.686 of 2009, the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act, and urges every member of New Jersey's Congressional delegation to voice their support for this important piece of legislation that allows states and the federal government to invest in the social work professionals who continually invest in communities that need the most assistance.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly shall be transmitted to the President of the United States, the National Association of Social Workers-New Jersey Chapter, and every member of the New Jersey Congressional delegation.
