Social workers offer critical services

To the editor:

March is National Professional Social Work Month which showcases the impact of over 642,000 professional social workers in the United States. ?Social workers weave together the threads of society?s social safety net,? says NASW Executive Director Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH. ?As the profession of hope, we help people overcome poverty, inequality, insecurity, fear, violence, trauma, loss and pain. What social workers do and how they do it does matter to our country?s success.?

Social work is one of the fastest growing professions according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics due to increasing need for health and aging related services. Although serving in more than 50 different fields of practice, their work is most recognized in eight core services:

? Adolescent and Youth Development

? Aging and Family Caregiving

? Child Protection and Family Services

? Health Care Navigation

? Military and Veterans Assistance

? Nonprofit Management and Community Development

? Poverty Reduction

Throughout the state of Iowa shortages of mental health providers are major problems, particularly in the rural areas. Currently social workers provide the majority of mental health therapy services. SF 2243 passed the Iowa Senate, which would provide loan repayment support for social worker education, and it is in the Iowa House now for consideration. It is critical that we have the workforce in place to continue providing services across Iowa. SF 2315, which would redesign publicly funded mental health and disability services, passed the Iowa Senate on March 12, 2012, and has also moved to the Iowa House. Without necessary funding for the redesign efforts and adequate mental health personnel to deliver the services, our most vulnerable Iowans may not have the help that they need.

Social workers across the state are being recognized for their work in numerous settings this month, but it is important that they receive the support needed to be able to provide critical services to Iowans.

? Becky Schmitz, licensed independent social worker, Fairfield