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What is ANSWER?
 The
Action Network for Social Work Education and Research (ANSWER)
is a coalition of the following organizations: Association
of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors (BPD), Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Group
for the Advancement of Doctoral Education (GADE) Institute
for the Advancement of Social Work Research (IASWR), National
Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work (NADD), National
Association of Social Workers (NASW), and Society
for Social Work and Research (SSWR).
ANSWER
Steering Committee Members
Mission
The ANSWER coalition's mission is to increase legislative
and executive branch advocacy on behalf of social work education,
training, and research. This goal is accomplished through
collaboration among social work education, research, and
practice organizations, social work education programs, and
other interested groups.
What is the purpose of social work research?
Social work research benefits consumers, practitioners,
policy-makers, educators, and the general public through
the examination of societal issues such as: health care,
substance abuse, and community violence; family issues, including
child welfare and aging; well-being and resiliency; and the
strengths and needs of underserved populations. By exploring
the social, behavioral, and environmental connections to
health and mental health issues, social work research identifies
strategies and solutions that enhance individual, family
and community well being. By conducting research in schools,
communities, health care facilities, and human service agencies,
social work researchers are able to examine the inter-relationships
among individuals, families, neighborhoods, and social institutions.
Social work research provides empirical support for best
practice approaches to improve service delivery and public
policies.
What is the purpose of social work training?
Social workers receive training through undergraduate and
graduate education at programs accredited by the Council
on Social Work Education (CSWE) along with class work, social
work students complete intensive internships in organizations
where they apply the knowledge learned in the classroom to
real-world work. Additionally, social workers are regulated
in all states. Licensed social workers are required to update
their skills and knowledge through continuing education requirements.
How All Social Workers Can Advocate for ANSWER Legislation
- To educate yourself about our legislative priorities, click
here .
- Click on TAKE ACTION! to prepare letters
and emails to your members of Congress now.
History
In 1995 CSWE, NADD, BPD, GADE, and NASW created the ANSWER
coalition to provide specific resources to strengthen advocacy
efforts related to the emerging priorities around the enhancement
of the social work research infrastructure, as well as a
number of specific efforts related to social work education
and training. IASWR joined in 1996 and SSWR became a member
in 1999. The current priorities of the ANSWER coalition include:
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