Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the Social Work Reinvestment Commission to provide independent counsel to Congress on policy issues associated with the recruitment for, and retention, research, and reinvestment in, the profession of social work.
Directs the Commission to study and report to Congress on issues facing the social work profession, including: (1) fair market compensation, high social work educational debt, social work workforce trends, translating social work research to practice, and social work safety; and (2) state-level social work licensure policies and reciprocity agreements for providing services across state lines. Requires such study to assess the professional capacity of the social work workforce to serve and respond successfully to the increasing biopsychosocial needs of individuals, groups, and communities in certain areas, including aging and child welfare.
Terminates the Commission 30 days after it submits such report within 18 months of its first meeting.
Authorizes the Secretary to award: (1) workplace improvement grants to eligible entities and individuals to address workplace concerns for the social work profession, including caseloads, compensation, social work safety, supervision, and working conditions; and (2) research grants, education and training grants, and community-based programs of excellence grants.
Directs the Secretary to: (1) contract with a national social work entity to serve as a coordinating center and clearinghouse for information on activities funded under the grants, and (2) develop a multi-media outreach campaign and issue public service announcements that advertise and promote the social work profession.
[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1106 Introduced in House (IH)]
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1106
To establish the Social Work Reinvestment Commission to provide
independent counsel to Congress and the Secretary of Health and Human
Services on policy issues associated with recruitment, retention,
research, and reinvestment in the profession of social work, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 15, 2011
Mr. Towns (for himself, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Payne, Mr. McGovern,
Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Ms. Moore, Mrs. Maloney, Mr. Gutierrez, Ms.
Norton, Mr. Courtney, Mr. Kildee, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Grijalva, Ms.
Clarke of New York, Ms. Fudge, Mr. Cohen, Mrs. Christensen, Mr.
Connolly of Virginia, Ms. Schwartz, Ms. Richardson, Mr. Holt, Ms.
Kaptur, Mr. Michaud, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. Rush, Mr. Thompson of
Mississippi, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Filner, Mr. Rangel, and Mr. Cleaver)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Education and the Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Social Work Reinvestment Commission to provide
independent counsel to Congress and the Secretary of Health and Human
Services on policy issues associated with recruitment, retention,
research, and reinvestment in the profession of social work, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Dorothy I. Height
and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
TITLE I--SOCIAL WORK REINVESTMENT COMMISSION
Sec. 101. Establishment of Commission.
Sec. 102. Appointment of Commission members.
Sec. 103. Purposes and duties of Commission.
Sec. 104. Powers of the Commission.
Sec. 105. Compensation for Commission members.
Sec. 106. Termination of the Commission.
Sec. 107. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE II--REINVESTMENT GRANT PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION
Sec. 201. Workplace improvement grants.
Sec. 202. Research grants.
Sec. 203. Education and training grants.
Sec. 204. Community-based programs of excellence grants.
Sec. 205. National coordinating center.
Sec. 206. Multimedia outreach campaign.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States economy has faced formidable
obstacles since the country entered an economic recession in
2008. Homeowners face challenges with 1 in 7 mortgages
delinquent or in foreclosure, unemployment is high,
particularly for the most vulnerable in society, and poverty
continues to rise, as the rate stood at 14.3 percent in 2009,
the highest rate since 1994. Joblessness and economic
insecurity contribute to the incidence of mental illness,
family violence, suicide, substance abuse, crime, and
diminished capacity for health, family, and community
functioning. Social workers form society's social safety net.
They provide assistance, guidance, and resources to
individuals, families, and communities in poverty. They
understand the devastating costs and consequences of poverty
and unemployment and provide direct services in order to
prevent and abate economic inequality.
(2) The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that employment
for social workers is expected to increase faster than the
average for all occupations through the year 2018,
demonstrating a substantial need for social workers.
(3) Social work salaries are among the lowest for
professionals in general and for those with master's level
education in particular. According to the National Association
of Social Workers Center for Workforce Studies, 60 percent of
full-time social workers earn between $35,000 and $59,999 per
year. Social workers who earn lower salaries are more likely to
work in challenging agency environments, serve more vulnerable
clients, and leave the profession.
(4) The Department of Education stated that 72 percent of
students graduating from Master of Social Work programs
incurred debt to earn their graduate degree. The average debt
was approximately $35,500.
(5) Social workers often deal with the most vulnerable
clients in emotional or traumatic situations, and face possible
danger as a result. The National Association of Social Workers
Center for Workforce Studies found that 44 percent of survey
respondents faced personal safety issues on the job. The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration states that 48
percent of assaults occur in the health care and social
services industry.
(6) The Alzheimer's Association of America states that
5,300,000 Americans, or 1 in every 8 individuals over the age
of 65, have Alzheimer's disease. Social workers in gerontology
settings work with older adults, including those with dementia,
to support their physiological, psychological, and social needs
through mental health therapy, caregiver and family counseling,
health education, program coordination, and case management.
(7) The Children's Defense Fund states that every 41
seconds a child is confirmed as abused or neglected and every 6
hours a child is killed from abuse or neglect. The
Administration for Children and Families of the Department of
Health and Human Services states that 423,000 children were in
the United States foster care system in 2009. Most children
placed in foster care are placed due to parental abuse or
neglect. Research shows that professional social workers
employed in child welfare agencies are more likely to find
permanent homes for children who were in foster care for 2 or
more years. Unfortunately, fewer than 40 percent of child
welfare workers are professional social workers.
(8) The Department of Health and Human Services estimates
that 26.2 percent of (or 1 in 4) individuals in the United
States age 18 or older experiences a diagnosable mental health
disorder. Additionally, 1 in 5 children and adolescents
experiences a mental health disorder. At least 1 in 10, or
about 6,000,000, young people have a serious emotional
disturbance. Social workers provide the majority of mental
health counseling services in the United States, and are often
the only providers of such services in rural areas.
(9) Social workers working with veterans and their families
provide case management, crisis interventions, mental health
interventions, housing and financial counseling, high-risk
screening, and advocacy, among other services. The Department
of Veterans Affairs, which is the largest employer of social
workers (over 7,000 who are Master's prepared) in the Nation,
estimates that there are 22,658,000 veterans in the United
States. A once-declining veteran population is now surging and
is in dire need of mental health treatment to address issues
such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, drug and
alcohol addiction, and suicidal tendencies.
(10) The American Cancer Society estimates that there were
1,529,560 new cases of cancer and 569,490 deaths, or 1,500
deaths a day, in 2010 alone. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention report that there are over 1,000,000 people
living with HIV or AIDS in the United States, with
approximately 56,300 new cases diagnosed each year. In 2009,
1,560,000 people received care from the Nation's hospice
providers. Health care and medical social workers practice in
areas related to all of these circumstances and provide
outreach for prevention and health promotion, help individuals
and their families adapt to their health conditions, connect
patients and family caregivers with community services and
supports, provide grief counseling, and act as a liaison
between individuals and their medical team, helping patients
make informed decisions about their care.
(11) The Children's Defense Fund notes that every second a
public school student is suspended and that every 11 seconds a
high school student drops out. The National Center for
Education Statistics states that in 2008 the national dropout
rate for high school students was 8 percent. Some vulnerable
communities have dropout rates of 50 percent or higher. Social
workers in school settings help students avoid dropping out
through early identification, prevention, intervention,
counseling, and support services.
(12) According to the Department of Justice, every year
more than 650,000 ex-offenders are released from Federal and
State prisons. Social workers employed in the corrections
system address disproportionate minority incarceration rates,
provide treatment for mental health problems and drug and
alcohol addiction, and work within as well as outside of the
prison to reduce recidivism and increase positive community
reentry.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Clinical social worker.--The term ``clinical social
worker'' has the meaning given the term in section 1861(hh)(1)
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(hh)(1)).
(2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Social
Work Reinvestment Commission.
(3) Community-based program.--The term ``community-based
program'' means an agency, organization, or other entity,
carrying out a program that provides direct social work
services, or community development services, at a neighborhood,
locality, or regional level, to address human service, health
care, or psychosocial needs.
(4) High need and high demand population.--The term ``high
need and high demand population'' means a group that lacks
sufficient resources and, as a result, has a greater
probability of being harmed by specific social, environmental,
or health problems than the population as a whole. The group at
issue may be a group residing in an area defined by the Health
Resources and Services Administration as a ``health
professional shortage area'', which has a shortage of primary
medical care, dental, or mental health providers.
(5) Historically black college or university.--The term
``historically black college or university'' means a part B
institution, as defined in section 322 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
(6) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
serving institution'' means an educational institution that
serves a large percentage of minority students (as determined
by the Secretary of Education), including Alaska Native-serving
institutions, Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, Asian-
American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving
institutions, Predominantly Black Institutions, historically
black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions,
Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Native American-serving,
nontribal institutions (which shall have the meanings given the
terms in section 241(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1033(1))).
(7) Related professional researcher.--The term ``related
professional researcher'' means a person who is professionally
engaged in research in a social, political, economic, health,
or mental health field. The research referred to in this
paragraph is primarily conducted by doctoral level researchers
under university, government, research institute, or community
agency auspices.
(8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services.
(9) Social work.--The term ``social work'' means--
(A) the professional activity of helping
individuals, groups, or communities enhance or restore
capacity for social and psychosocial functioning and
creating societal conditions favorable to that
enhancement or restoration;
(B) an activity, the practice of which consists of
the professional application of values, principles, and
techniques related to the professional activity
described in subparagraph (A), including--
(i) diagnosis and treatment of mental and
emotional disorders with individuals, families,
and groups;
(ii) helping communities or groups provide
or improve social and health services and
participating in relevant legislative
processes; and
(iii) helping people obtain tangible
services; and
(C) an activity, the practice of which requires
knowledge of--
(i) human development;
(ii) behavior of social, economic, and
cultural institutions; and
(iii) the interaction of the factors
described in clauses (i) and (ii).
(10) Social work researcher.--The term ``social work
researcher'' means a person who studies social work at the
individual, family, group, community, policy, or organizational
level, focusing across the human life span on prevention of,
intervention in, treatment of, aftercare of, and rehabilitation
from acute and chronic social and psychosocial conditions, and
includes a person examining the effect of policies on social
work practice. The study referred to in this paragraph is
primarily conducted by researchers with doctoral degrees who
are social workers or faculty under university, government,
research institute, or community agency auspices.
(11) Social worker.--The term ``social worker'' means a
graduate of a school of social work with a baccalaureate,
master's, or doctoral degree, who uses knowledge and skills to
provide social work services for clients who may be
individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations, or
society in general.
TITLE I--SOCIAL WORK REINVESTMENT COMMISSION
SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.
Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary shall establish the Social Work Reinvestment Commission
to provide independent counsel to Congress and the Secretary on policy
issues associated with recruitment for, and retention, research, and
reinvestment in, the profession of social work.
SEC. 102. APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSION MEMBERS.
(a) Appointment by the Secretary.--The Secretary shall appoint
members to the Commission. The members shall include representatives of
social workers and other members, including the following:
(1) 2 deans of schools of social work.
(2) 1 social work researcher.
(3) 1 related professional researcher.
(4) 1 Governor.
(5) 2 leaders of national social work organizations.
(6) 1 senior social work State official.
(7) 1 senior related State official.
(8) 2 directors of community-based organizations or
nonprofit organizations.
(9) 1 labor economist.
(10) 1 social work consumer.
(11) 1 licensed clinical social worker.
(b) Appointment by Other Officers.--Four additional members shall
be appointed to the Commission, with 1 member appointed by each of the
following officers:
(1) The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2) The minority leader of the House of Representatives.
(3) The majority leader of the Senate.
(4) The minority leader of the Senate.
(c) Organizational Representation.--Members of the Commission
shall, to the extent practicable, be appointed--
(1) in a manner that assures participation of individuals
and representatives of groups from different racial, ethnic,
cultural, geographic, religious, linguistic, and class
backgrounds and different genders and sexual orientations; and
(2) from among persons who demonstrate knowledge and
understanding of the concerns of the individuals and groups
described in paragraph (1).
(d) Selection of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.--The Secretary
shall select a chairperson and vice chairperson for the Commission from
among the members of the Commission.
(e) Period of Appointment; Vacancies.--Members shall be appointed
for the life of the Commission, and any vacancy in the Commission shall
not affect the powers of the Commission. Any such vacancy shall be
filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(f) Schedule of Meetings.--The Commission shall hold its first
meeting not later than 6 weeks after the date on which the final member
of the Commission is appointed, and subsequent meetings at the call of
the chair.
SEC. 103. PURPOSES AND DUTIES OF COMMISSION.
(a) Study.--The Commission shall conduct a comprehensive study to
examine and assess--
(1) the professional capacity of the social work workforce
to successfully serve and respond to the increasing
biopsychosocial needs of individuals, groups, and communities,
in--
(A) areas related to--
(i) aging;
(ii) child welfare;
(iii) military and veterans affairs;
(iv) mental and behavioral health and
disability;
(v) criminal justice and correctional
systems; and
(vi) health and issues affecting women and
families; and
(B) other areas identified by the Commission;
(2)(A) the workforce challenges facing the profession of
social work, such as high social work educational debt, lack of
fair market compensation, the need to address social work
workforce trends, translate social work research to practice,
promote social work safety, or develop State-level social work
licensure policies and reciprocity agreements for providing
services across State lines, or the lack of diversity in the
social work profession, or the need to address any other area
determined by the Secretary to be appropriate; and
(B) the effect that such challenges have on the recruitment
and retention of social workers;
(3) current workforce challenges and shortages relevant to
the needs of clients served by social workers;
(4) the social work workforce challenges described in
paragraph (2) and the effects that the challenges will have on
the provision of social work related to the areas described in
paragraph (1); and
(5) the advisability of establishing a social work
enhancement account, to provide direct grant assistance to
local governments to encourage the engagement of social workers
in social service programs.
(b) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of its first
meeting, the Commission shall submit a report to the Secretary and
Congress containing specific findings and conclusions regarding the
need for recruitment for, and retention, research, and reinvestment in,
the profession of social work. The report shall include recommendations
and strategies for corrective actions to ensure a robust social work
workforce capable of keeping up with the demand for needed services.
The Commission may provide to Congress any additional findings or
recommendations considered by the Commission to be important.
SEC. 104. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Powers.--The Commission shall have the power to--
(1) hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and
places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and
administer such oaths as the Commission considers advisable to
carry out the objectives of this title;
(2) delegate the Commission powers described in paragraph
(1) to any Commission subcommittee or member of the Commission
for the purpose of carrying out this Act;
(3) enter into contracts to enable the Commission to
perform the Commission's work under this Act; and
(4) consult, to the extent that the Commission determines
that such consultation is necessary or useful, with other
agencies and organizations, including--
(A) agencies within the Department of Health and
Human Services, including the Administration for
Children and Families, the Administration on Aging, the
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Health Resources and
Service Administration, the Indian Health Service, the
National Institutes of Health, and the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration;
(B) the Social Security Administration;
(C) the Departments of Agriculture, Defense,
Education, Homeland Security, Labor, Justice, State,
and Veterans Affairs; and
(D) any other agency of the Federal Government, as
determined by the Commission.
(b) Cooperation With the Commission.--The agencies described in
subsection (a)(4) shall cooperate with and provide counsel to the
Commission to the greatest extent practicable.
SEC. 105. COMPENSATION FOR COMMISSION MEMBERS.
(a) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Commission shall not
receive compensation for the performance of services for the
Commission, but shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies
under subchapter 1 of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while
away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance
of services for the Commission. Notwithstanding section 1342 of title
31, United States Code, the Secretary may accept the voluntary and
uncompensated services of members of the Commission.
(b) Detail of Government Employees.--Any Federal Government
employee may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement, and
such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service
status or privilege.
SEC. 106. TERMINATION OF THE COMMISSION.
The Commission shall terminate 30 days after the date on which the
Commission submits its report under section 103.
SEC. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums
as may be necessary for use by the activities of the Commission.
TITLE II--REINVESTMENT GRANT PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION
SEC. 201. WORKPLACE IMPROVEMENT GRANTS.
(a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary may award grants to 4
eligible entities described in subsection (d) to address workplace
concerns for the social work profession, including caseloads,
compensation, social work safety, supervision, and working conditions.
(b) Equal Amounts.--The Secretary shall award grants under this
section in equal amounts to the 4 eligible entities. The Secretary
shall award the grants annually over a 4-year period.
(c) Local or State Government Entities Requirement.--At least 2 of
the grant recipients shall be State or local government agencies.
(d) Eligibility Requirements.--To be eligible for a grant under
this section, an entity shall--
(1) work in a social work capacity that demonstrates a need
regarding a workplace concern area described in subsection (a);
(2) demonstrate--
(A) participation in the entities' programs of
individuals and groups from different racial, ethnic,
cultural, geographic, religious, linguistic, and class
backgrounds, and different genders and sexual
orientations; and
(B) knowledge and understanding of the concerns of
the individuals and groups described in subparagraph
(A);
(3) demonstrate a record of active participation of social
workers in the entities' programs; and
(4) provide services and represent the individuals employed
by the entities as competent only within the boundaries of
their education, training, licenses, certification,
consultation received, supervised experience, or other relevant
professional experience.
(e) Priority.--In selecting the grant recipients under this
section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that--
(1) are equipped with the capacity to oversee and monitor a
workplace improvement program carried out under this section,
including proven fiscal responsibility and administrative
capability; and
(2) are knowledgeable about relevant workforce trends and
have at least 2 years of experience relevant to the workplace
improvement program.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $16,000,000 to the Secretary to award grants under this
section.
SEC. 202. RESEARCH GRANTS.
(a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary may award grants to not less
than 25 social workers who hold a doctoral degree in social work, for
post-doctoral research in social work--
(1) to further the knowledge base about effective social
work interventions; and
(2) to promote usable strategies to translate research into
practice across diverse community settings and service systems.
(b) Amounts.--The Secretary shall award the grants annually over a
4-year period.
(c) Eligibility Requirements.--To be eligible for a grant under
this section, a social worker shall--
(1) demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concerns
of individuals and groups from different racial, ethnic,
cultural, geographic, religious, linguistic, and class
backgrounds, and different genders and sexual orientations; and
(2) provide services and represent themselves as competent
only within the boundaries of their education, training,
licenses, certification, consultation received, supervised
experience, or other relevant professional experience.
(d) Minority Representation.--At least 10 of the social workers
awarded grants under subsection (a) shall be employed by a historically
black college or university or minority-serving institution.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $5,000,000 to the Secretary to award grants under this
section.
SEC. 203. EDUCATION AND TRAINING GRANTS.
(a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary may award 20 grants to
eligible institutions of higher education to support the recruitment of
social work students for, and education of the students in,
baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degree programs, as well as the
development of faculty in social work.
(b) Equal Amounts.--The Secretary shall award grants under this
section in equal amounts of not more than $100,000 to the 20 eligible
institutions. The Secretary shall award the grants annually over a 4-
year period.
(c) Eligibility Requirements.--To be eligible for a grant under
this section, an institution shall demonstrate--
(1) participation in the institutions' programs of
individuals and groups from different racial, ethnic, cultural,
geographic, religious, linguistic, and class backgrounds, and
different genders and sexual orientations; and
(2) knowledge and understanding of the concerns of the
individuals and groups described in paragraph (1).
(d) Institutional Requirement.--At least 4 of the grant recipients
shall be historically black colleges or universities or other minority-
serving institutions.
(e) Priority.--In selecting the grant recipients under this
section, the Secretary shall give priority to institutions of higher
education that--
(1) are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education;
(2) have a graduation rate of not less than 80 percent for
social work students; and
(3) exhibit an ability to recruit social workers from and
place social workers in areas with a high need and high demand
population.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $8,000,000 to the Secretary to award grants under this
section.
SEC. 204. COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS OF EXCELLENCE GRANTS.
(a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary may award grants to 6
eligible covered entities, to further test and replicate effective
social work interventions.
(b) Covered Entity.--For purposes of this section, the term
``covered entity'' means--
(1) a public entity that is carrying out a community-based
program of excellence; and
(2) a nonprofit organization that is carrying out a program
of excellence.
(c) Equal Amounts.--The Secretary shall award grants under this
section in equal amounts of not more than $500,000 to eligible covered
entities. The Secretary shall award the grants annually over a 3-year
period.
(d) Eligibility Requirements.--To be eligible for a grant under
this section, a covered entity shall--
(1) carry out programs in the areas of aging, child
welfare, military and veteran's issues, mental and behavioral
health and disability, criminal justice and correction systems,
and health and issues affecting women and families;
(2) demonstrate--
(A) participation in the covered entities' programs
of individuals and groups from different racial,
ethnic, cultural, geographic, religious, linguistic,
and class backgrounds, and different genders and sexual
orientations; and
(B) knowledge and understanding of the concerns of
the individuals and groups described in subparagraph
(A);
(3) demonstrate a record of active participation of social
workers in the covered entities' programs; and
(4) provide services and represent the individuals employed
by the covered entities as competent only within the boundaries
of their education, training, licenses, certification,
consultation received, supervised experience, or other relevant
professional experience.
(e) Priority.--In selecting the grant recipients under this
section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible covered entities
that--
(1) have demonstrated successful and measurable outcomes
that are worthy of replication;
(2) have been in operation for at least 2 years; and
(3) work with high need and high demand populations.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $9,000,000 to the Secretary to award grants under this
section.
SEC. 205. NATIONAL COORDINATING CENTER.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall enter into a contract with
a national social work entity that--
(1) has experience in coordinating the transfer of
information and ideas among entities engaged in social work
research, practice, education, and policymaking; and
(2) maintains relationships with Federal entities, social
work degree-granting institutions of higher education and
departments of social work within such institutions, and
organizations and agencies that employ social workers.
(b) General Duties.--The contract recipient (referred to in this
section as the ``coordinating center'') shall serve as a coordinating
center and shall organize information and other data, collect and
report data, serve as a clearinghouse, and coordinate activities with
the entities, institutions, departments, organizations, and agencies
described in subsection (a)(2).
(c) Collaboration.--The coordinating center shall work with
institutions of higher education, research entities, and entities with
social work practice settings to identify key research areas to be
pursued, identify qualified research fellows, and organize appropriate
mentorship and professional development efforts.
(d) Specific Activities of the Coordinating Center.--The
coordinating center shall--
(1) build on the efforts of the National Association of
Social Workers National Center for Workforce Studies;
(2) collect, coordinate, monitor, and distribute data,
information on best practices and findings regarding the
activities funded under grants made to eligible entities and
individuals under the grant programs described in sections 201
though 204;
(3) prepare and submit to the Secretary a report that
includes recommendations regarding the need to recruit new
social workers, retain current social workers, conduct social
work research, and reinvest in the profession of social work;
and
(4) demonstrate cultural competency and promote the
participation of diverse groups.
(e) Selection.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the
coordinating center, shall--
(1) select topics to be researched under this section;
(2) select candidates and finalists for research fellow
positions; and
(3) determine other activities to be carried out under this
section.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out this section for each of fiscal
years 2011 to 2015.
SEC. 206. MULTIMEDIA OUTREACH CAMPAIGN.
(a) Development and Issuance of Public Service Announcements.--The
Secretary shall develop and issue public service announcements that
advertise and promote the social work profession, highlight the
advantages and rewards of social work, and encourage individuals to
enter the social work profession.
(b) Method.--The public service announcements described in
subsection (a) shall be broadcast through appropriate media outlets,
including television or radio, in a manner intended to reach as wide
and diverse an audience as possible.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section
for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2014.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E489)
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
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