2017 -- S 0683

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LC002286

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MARCH 29, 2017, TO BE "ANNUAL SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION

LEGISLATIVE DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Senators Picard, Quezada, Algiere, Metts, and Archambault

     Date Introduced: March 29, 2017

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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

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

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

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

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

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     WHEREAS, The following Professional Social Workers were instrumental in creating

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key social programs that are so critical to our society. Wilbur Cohen was the chief architect of the

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1935 Social Security Act and also was a key member of the committee that designed Medicare

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and Medicaid in 1965. Jeanette Rankin was the first woman elected to Congress. Frances Perkins,

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Secretary of Labor for FDR, who was recently honored on the front page of the Providence

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Journal (March 16, 2017), was responsible for the 40 hour work week and the federal minimum

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wage. Jane Addams established Hull House in Chicago in 1884. The John Hope Settlement

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House in Providence was molded after Hull House. Dorothea Dix pushed legislation through

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Congress in 1854 that would have established asylums for the mentally ill across the nation,

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however the law was vetoed by President Pierce. The effort did pay big dividends as it led to

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mental health facilities including what later became known as Butler Hospital in Rhode Island;

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and

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

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

 

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

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Voting Rights Act, and the Affordable Care Act; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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programs; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby proclaims March 29, 2017, to be "Annual Social Work Education Legislative Day" in the

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State of Rhode Island. We encourage educators, students, and citizens of this state to participate

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in this day, acknowledging the wonderful education offered by the Rhode Island College School

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of Social Work, Providence College Department of Social Work, Salve Regina University

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Department of Social Work, and the Community College of Rhode Island Social Work Education

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Program; and be it further

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

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

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be it further

 

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

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

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

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

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Community College of Rhode Island Social Work Education Program.

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LC002286

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