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.
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LC005701
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