Congresswoman Barbara Lee Introduces Social Work Reinvestment Act

Apr 12, 2013 Issues: Economy and Jobs, Education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 11, 2013

Contact: Carrie Adams (202) 225-2661

Washington, D.C. —Yesterday, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act. The legislation would establish a Social Work Reinvestment Commission to provide independent counsel to Congress and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on policy issues associated with the recruitment, retention, research, and reinvestment in the social work profession.

“As a former psychiatric social worker, I know first-hand the impact that social workers have on our communities. Professional social workers continue to work on the frontlines, helping individuals overcome adversity, and connecting families to critical care services,” said Congresswoman Lee.

Congresswoman Lee continued, “However, serious safety concerns, significant educational debt, and comparatively insufficient salaries are threatening the ability of social workers to provide critical care services as part of our nation’s social safety net for the most vulnerable.”

In order to address these significant challenges felt by more than 650,000 professional social workers, The Social Work Reinvestment Act would help to ensure that millions of individuals and families throughout the nation continue to receive well-rounded care.

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Follow Barbara Lee on Facebook and Twitter at @RepBarbaraLee. To learn more, visit lee.house.gov.

 

Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, and former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and Progressive Caucus.