Policy Alert: Paid Social Work Internship Bills to be Introduced THIS Week

Social workers are the heart and soul of the behavioral health workforce. They provide prevention, intervention, and treatment services across mental health and substance abuse programs throughout the state, including in all of Michigan’s school districts. In fact, social workers are the primary behavioral health profession in Michigan with over 29,000+ licensed social workers in the state. However, a shortage that was apparent pre-pandemic has grown critical, forcing many community organizations to limit or end services and for schools to scramble to find trained professionals. As the demand for behavioral health services reaches a pinnacle across the country, there is a need to accelerate the number of social workers ready to enter into service. NASW-Michigan has been working with coalition partners, schools of social workers, and with legislators to push a number of workforce related initiatives. This week, one critical piece of legislation, specifically aimed at expanding the numbers of school social workers in Michigan will be introduced in the Senate Health Policy and Human Services Committee.

SB 1012 (along with the House counterpart 6020) establishes a Student Mental Health Apprenticeship Retention and Training (SMART) internship grant. The SMART grant will provide payment for graduate-level school social work, psychologist, and counselor field placements. It will cover up to $25 per hour for up to 20 hours per week for a school year (30 weeks) or a lump sum of up to $15,000 per school year. The Michigan Department of Education will flag interns who meet this criteria and provide the accompanying school district with the funds.

The bills also provide a small payment for all supervisors for students in these positions. 

These bills are sponsored by Senator Vanderwall (R- 35th District) and Representative Kahle (R-57th District).

“Paid internships are one key workforce initiative that NASW-Michigan is advocating for, and we hope that this will be a start to other pieces of legislation that will expand and support the social work profession across the state. We know that this will directly support students through providing financial stability or lowering student loan debt during their MSW programs, as well as create a critical pipeline for new professionals to enter school settings,” said Duane Breijak, Executive Director of NASW-Michigan.

Be on the lookout : There is good movement on these bills and SB 1012 will be discussed in the Senate Health Policy Committee hearing on Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 1pm.

This is a bill that NASW-Michigan and the Michigan Association of School Social Workers (MASSW) supports, along with the Michigan Association of School Psychologists (MASP) and the Michigan School Counselor Association (MSCA). NASW-Michigan will be in attendance at the committee meeting this week and will put in a support ticket on behalf of our membership. 

Kathy Weaver, President of the Michigan Association of School Social Workers states that “Teachers and administrators are asking now more than ever for mental health support for their students. Unfortunately there aren’t enough qualified, trained school social workers available to meet the demand. Paid internships and paid supervision will go a long way to attracting future workforce as well as retain established professionals.” 

What can you do?

• Send in your stories of how paid field placements/internships would have impacted you
  • Please send any stories/testimonials to mbrann.naswmi@socialworkers.or g
• At this time there is no further direct action needed by membership. NASW-Michigan will keep social workers informed as the bills move into the full legislative chambers.
  

Read the bills

HB 6020