NASW Urges Members of Congress to Reauthorize the Elementary School Counseling Demonstration Act

ESCDA Proves to Reduce School Violence and Provide Mental Health Services to Children in Need

WASHINGTON—In the aftermath of Columbine, Santee and other school shootings, much has been said about the warning signs of youth violence. Schools are adapting zero-tolerance policies as well as hotlines to anonymously warn of threats of violence. However, in many cases of school violence, the cause is undetected and untreated mental illness.

The Elementary School Counseling Demonstration Act (ESCDA) has provided $20 million in funding to fifty-eight school districts in twenty-nine states to hire school social workers and other mental health professionals. This program has been shown to reduce referrals to the principal’s office by nearly half; reduce the use of weapons, force, bullying and threatening of others; decrease school suspensions; and overall produce a safer environment more conducive to learning. Yet, this program has not been reauthorized in the proposed education bill. NASW urges members of Congress to reauthorize this program.

At a time when standardized test scores are so important for schools to succeed, teachers need to be able to teach and students need to be able to learn. By providing mental health services, school social workers and other professionals will be able to respond to the emotional needs of students, staff, and families related to incidences of school violence, crime, accidents, or other traumatic events in the school and community. Social workers are able to deliver services, assessment and even provide referrals when appropriate, to address students’ mental health, emotional, or substance abuse treatment needs. School social workers are the link between school, home, and community.

After the Santee shooting, President Bush said, "When America teaches their children right from wrong...our country will be better off."

In response, NASW officials and ESCDA supporters say that the country’s well being does not just depend on kids understanding right from wrong.

"Providing services to children who need them, allowing them to learn in school and encouraging them to lead successful lives in the future should be the real goal," says NASW interim Executive Director, Toby Weismiller, ACSW.

For more information on NASW’s advocacy efforts relating to the Elementary School Counseling Demonstration Act, please contact Cynthia Woodside at 202-336-8324.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 153,000 members. It promotes, develops and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families and communities through its work and through its advocacy.