R 159

2016 -- H 8073 Enacted 04/13/2016

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL 13, 2016, TO BE "ANNUAL SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION LEGISLATIVE DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Kazarian, O'Brien, Williams, Almeida, and Winfield

Date Introduced: April 13, 2016

WHEREAS, The mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being

and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and

empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. Social work is a

profession for those who have a passion to empower individuals, families, groups, and the

communities they serve in order to create progressive change in clinical and macro settings; and

WHEREAS, Social workers have helped people in this nation overcome racial strife and

economic and health care uncertainty by successfully advocating for initiatives such as Medicaid,

unemployment insurance, workplace safety, Social Security benefits, the Civil Rights Act, the

Voting Rights Act, and the Affordable Care Act; and

WHEREAS, Social workers work in all areas of our society to improve happiness, health

and prosperity, including in government, schools, universities, social service agencies,

communities, the military and mental health and health care facilities; and

WHEREAS, Social workers are the largest group of mental health care providers in the

United States and work daily to help people overcome depression, anxiety, substance abuse and

other disorders so they can lead more fulfilling lives. In Rhode Island, social workers represent

the largest professional group with mental health licenses, with 2,297 individuals; and

WHEREAS, Social work education prepares students for work as qualified professionals.

Social work education offers these future professionals a foundation of core values including:

service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships,

integrity and competence. Social work students are taught aspects of cultural competence,

diversity, ethics and policy in order to confront and eliminate social injustices; and

WHEREAS, According the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social

workers is expected to increase by 12 percent during the 2014-2024 decade, which is much faster

than the average for all other occupations. Concern about crime, juvenile delinquency, and

services for individuals with physical, psychological, and cognitive disabilities, and individuals

and groups in crisis are impelling the necessity for more social workers; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island College School of Social Work, Providence College

Department of Social Work, Salve Regina University Department of Social Work, and the

Community College of Rhode Island Social Work Education Program are helping to respond to

the pressing call for future social workers through comprehensive education and training

programs; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims April 13, 2016, to be "Social Work Education

Legislative Day" in the State of Rhode Island. We encourage educators, students, and citizens of

this state to participate in this day, acknowledging the wonderful education offered by the Rhode

Island College School of Social Work, Providence College Department of Social Work, Salve

Regina University Department of Social Work, and the Community College of Rhode Island

Social Work Education Program; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this House hereby recognizes and honors the great benefits and

invaluable service professionally-trained social workers provide to the citizens of this state; and

be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Chapter of the National

Association of Social Workers, Rhode Island College School of Social Work, Providence College

Department of Social Work, Salve Regina University Department of Social Work, and the

Community College of Rhode Island Social Work Education Program.

========

LC005701

========