BILL NUMBER:  S7101

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring a licensed
social worker in each elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high
and senior high school

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

To insure that all elementary, intermediate, middle, junior and senior
high schools throughout New York State have an effective social work
program in place to meet the needs of their students.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :

The education law is amended by adding a new section 803-b, to require
the board of trustees of every school district to employ at least one
licensed social worker in each elementary, intermediate, middle,
junior high and senior high school under their jurisdiction. This
employment shall be exclusive of any social workers funded or mandated
through any special education funding, aid, regulation or statute.

 JUSTIFICATION :

The role and function of a school social worker and the role and
              

function of other pupil personnel services are distinctly separate.
In addition to possessing certification through the Office of Teaching
Initiatives, school social workers are licensed by the New York State
Board of Regents with a scope of practice legally protected under
Article 154 of the New York State Education Law.

School social workers are at the forefront of school social,
behavioral, and community issues. The skills and competencies of
school social workers enable schools to carry out their primary
functions of educating all pupils more effectively. Reducing or
eliminating the presence of social workers in our schools would have a
devastating effect on our students. Given the current economic crisis
and the resulting impact on families and children, stress and worry
has risen sharply due to loss of income, rising debt, unemployment,
underemployment, loss of insurance, housing instability, hunger, and
many other factors.

These factors are known to contribute to increased incidence of mental
illness, substance abuse, suicide, violence, crime, and, in an
academic environment, may be attributed to increased absence and risk
of school failure. School social workers are qualified to address
these factors. By applying appropriate intervention strategies, school
social workers are able to alleviate some of these issues and support
academic success. Every student in New York deserves equal access to
services and every school in New York should provide the important
services social workers can provide.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New Bill in the Senate

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS :

Exact Costs Unknown, but there will be a cost to local school
districts

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediately