BILL NUMBER: S3477

SPONSOR: GOUNARDES
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the education law, in relation to
requiring a licensed or certified social worker in each elementary,
intermediate, middle, junior high and senior high school

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To ensure 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 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 or certified 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 stat-
              

ute.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The role and function of a licensed or certified 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.

Licensed and certified school social workers are at the forefront of
school social, behavioral, and community issues. The skills and compe-
tencies of these licensed and certified 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.  Licensed and certified
school social workers are qualified to address these factors. By apply-
ing 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.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2018: S7526-A - Referred to Education

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.