NASW Testifies Before the Subcommittee on Human Resources of the House Committee on Ways and Means

Congress Considering Reauthorization of Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program

Washington, D.C. – As Congress prepares to reauthorize the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program, Ikeita Cantú Hinojosa, associate counsel legislative affairs at the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), testified before the Subcommittee on Human Resources of the House Committee on Ways and Means on May 23. Social work is one of the largest social service professions in the United States.

NASW regards the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program as an important flexible funding source for services for children and families. However without full funding, services provided by this program will not adequately meet the needs of children.

“Social workers are essential to providing services in the child welfare system through the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program,” says Cantú Hinojosa. “As we are the frontline connection to children and families, our expertise is necessary to enhance this program.”

Key NASW recommendations to the Committee include increased funding to:

• Conduct research to inform and improve service outcomes, including ways to reduce the overrepresentation of children of color in the child welfare system
• Provide professional development preparation and ongoing training opportunities for frontline social workers and administrators
• Offer employment incentives, including pay and benefit increases and student loan forgiveness
• Recruit more workers of color and ensure culturally competent training programs
• Establish a national caseload size to be determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services

The testimony also highlighted findings from a recent study released from NASW’s Center for Workforce Studies that warns of an impending shortage of social workers that threatens services to all Americans, particularly the most vulnerable, children and older adults. The study also highlights concerns about decreased resources, increased caseloads, and the challenge agencies face in filling social work vacancies.

To read the full testimony, please visit http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=detail&hearing=482.

To learn more about NASW’s advocacy to pass student loan forgiveness legislation that is currently before Congress and about other social issues, please visit http://www.socialworkers.org/advocacy/default.asp.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 140,000 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 advocacy.