Action Alert! School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act

SSWAA ACTION ALERT
School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act
BACKGROUND: During School Social Work Week, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced the School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act (HR 7037), which would create a grant program that would allow schools to hire and retain school social workers. The bill would also provide technical assistance for school social work. In addition to Congressmembers Moore and Lee, the bill currently has 11 cosponsors. In order to get this bill passed, we need to advocate and raise awareness among Members of Congress. We need you to ask your Representatives to show their support for the school social work profession and for the students, we serve by cosponsoring HR 7037.
LINK to Bill Text and Cosponsors List | LINK to Press Release | LINK to Briefing
PROPOSAL HIGHLIGHTS:

• Creates a Department of Education grant program to support elementary and secondary schools in hiring and retaining the minimum ratio of one school social worker for every 250 students and one school social worker for every 50 students for high need areas. 
• Establishes the National Technical Assistance Center for School Social Work, which would be responsible for developing strategies for improving the effectiveness of school social work, identifying areas of improvement for school social work programs, working with federal agencies to disseminate data on best practices, and establishing school social work development programing.
• Defines the role of a graduate-level school social worker in law.
• Puts $120 million in federal funding toward supporting and expanding school social work.

TAKE ACTION: CALL or EMAIL your Representatives. Find your Member of Congress and Senators at www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member. Each office will have a different policy for reaching them that will be on their website. You might be able to email them directly or copy and paste your letter into the form provided. Tell Congress to act!
HERE'S WHAT TO SAY:
[Title and Last Name]: 
I am a school social worker in (city/county/school district) and a constituent. I am reaching out to request your support for HR 7037, the School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act. 
School social workers are specialized mental health professionals who serve as the vital link between the school, home, and community. We play a critical role in addressing students mental, academic, and social wellbeing by providing direct and indirect services and connecting students to community support. This bill would ensure schools have the resources they need to hire and retain school social workers to address student needs. It would also create a technical assistance center to provide resources and development support to our profession.  
[INSERT PERSONAL STORY from your district about why we need funding for the programs listed above, or how it would impact you and your students.]
I encourage you to show your support for school social workers and the children and families we serve by cosponsoring HR 7037 and advocating for its inclusion in the upcoming mental health package. 
Thank you,
[Your Name]

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