[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 2415-2417]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK WEEK

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 978) expressing support for the designation of 
the week of March 3-7, 2008, as ``School Social Work Week'' to promote 
awareness of the vital role of school social workers in schools, and in 
the community as a

[[Page 2416]]

whole, in helping students prepare for their future as productive 
citizens.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 978

       Whereas the School Social Work Association of America 
     declared the week of March 3-7, 2008, ``School Social Work 
     Week'';
       Whereas the House of Representatives recognized the 
     importance of school social work through the inclusion of 
     school social work programs in the current authorization of 
     the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the 
     Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;
       Whereas school social workers serve as vital members of a 
     school's educational team, playing a central role in creating 
     partnerships between the home, school, and community, to 
     ensure student academic success;
       Whereas school social workers are especially skilled in 
     providing services to students who face serious challenges to 
     school success, including poverty, disability, 
     discrimination, abuse, addiction, bullying, divorce of 
     parents, loss of a loved one, and other barriers to learning;
       Whereas there is a growing need for school districts to 
     offer the mental health services that school social workers 
     provide when working with families, teachers, principals, 
     community agencies, and other entities to address the 
     emotional, physical, and environmental needs so that students 
     may achieve behavioral and academic success;
       Whereas to achieve the goals of the No Child Left Behind 
     Act of 2001 of help for all children in reaching their 
     optimal potential and achievement, including those with 
     serious emotional disturbances, schools must work to remove 
     the emotional, behavioral, and academic barriers that 
     interfere with student success in school;
       Whereas fewer than 1 in 5 of the 17,500,000 children in 
     need of mental health services actually receive these 
     services, and the President's New Freedom Commission on 
     Mental Health indicates that school mental health programs 
     improve educational outcomes by decreasing absences, 
     decreasing discipline referrals, and improving academic 
     achievement;
       Whereas school mental health programs are critical to early 
     identification of mental health problems and in the provision 
     of appropriate services when needed;
       Whereas the national average ratio of students to school 
     social workers recommended by the School Social Work 
     Association of America is 400 to 1; and
       Whereas the celebration of ``School Social Work Week'' 
     highlights the awareness of the vital role school social 
     workers play in the lives of students in the United States: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors and recognizes the contributions of school 
     social workers to the success of students in schools across 
     the Nation; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     ``School Social Work Week'' with appropriate ceremonies and 
     activities that promote awareness of the vital role of school 
     social workers in schools, and the community as a whole, in 
     helping students prepare for their future as productive 
     citizens.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Connecticut.


                             General Leave

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may insert material relevant to H. Res. 978 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Connecticut?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 978, a resolution to 
recognize the week of March 3-7 as National School Social Worker Week.
  School social workers have long played a critical role in schools in 
the community as a whole. They are professionals with training in 
social mental health intervention who work with youth to address their 
emotional, social, and developmental needs. For example, students in 
elementary school are just beginning to develop their academic self-
concept and their feelings of competence. School social workers help 
students build their confidence as learners.
  In middle school, many new challenges arise. During this passage from 
childhood to adolescence, middle school students are characterized by a 
need to explore a variety of interests connecting their learning into 
the classroom to its practical application in life. For these students, 
school social workers provide proactive leadership that engage all 
stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to help students 
navigate the challenges and achieve success.
  And in high school, students begin separating from parents and 
exploring and defining their independence. They face increased pressure 
regarding risk behaviors involving sex, alcohol, and drugs, while 
exploring the boundaries of the more acceptable behavior and mature, 
meaningful relationships. School social workers help make them concrete 
and compounded decisions.
  On top of this, school social workers must be responsive to the range 
of challenges that young people face every day such as poverty, 
disability, discrimination, abuse, addiction, bullying, divorce of 
parents, loss of a loved one, and other barriers to learning.
  School social workers are also on the front lines when disaster 
strikes, such as the Southern California wildfires or Hurricane 
Katrina, as well as other traumatic incidents such as the atrocities on 
9/11. There is a documentation of the growing need for school districts 
to expand mental and student support services in schools. The numbers 
indicate that only 1 in 5 of the 17,500,000 children in need of mental 
health actually received those services.
  Many students go underserved primarily because the national average 
ratio of student-to-school social workers is far beneath the 400-1 
ratio recommended by the School Social Work Association of America.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution serves to recognize the treasure that is 
the school social worker and acknowledge the priceless role that they 
play in guiding our students' success in the ever-changing world of the 
21st century.
  I urge my colleagues to resoundingly pass this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today to support H. Res. 978, which expresses the support for 
the designation of the week of March 3-7 of this year as the School 
Social Work Week. And it will promote the awareness of the vital role 
of school social workers in schools, and in the community as the whole, 
where they help students to prepare for their future as productive 
citizens.
  From time to time, students face certain challenges to achieving 
academic success. The emotional, social, and behavioral problems can be 
serious impediments to learning and can have a deleterious effect not 
just on the individual student, but on others in the school setting. 
Schools, families, communities must work collaboratively to assist 
students to achieve the positive academic and behavioral outcomes.
  School social work service provides a comprehensive approach to 
meeting the needs of students through early identification, prevention, 
intervention, counseling, as well as support. And school social workers 
are trained, qualified professionals who meet the State requirements to 
practice social work specifically in a school setting. They provide 
direct services to students who experience academic and social 
difficulties. They develop relationships that bolster self-esteem, 
reward positive behavior. School social workers support teachers by 
offering options for addressing student needs and by participating in 
the student support team. School social workers work with families and 
communities, coordinate services to the students as well as to the 
family.
  According to the National Mental Health Association, there are 
between 17 and 18 million children who are in need of mental health 
services, and those are just the ones I taught in my classes. These 
workers address those particular needs. School social workers help 
students who otherwise might not receive services due to 
inaccessibility or lack of availability of services.
  So I commend these dedicated professionals for the service they 
provide, and I ask my colleagues also to support this resolution which 
would identify School Social Work Week this coming March.

[[Page 2417]]

  With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. COURTNEY. I would just say in conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I would 
join the gentleman from Utah in support of this resolution which 
recognizes an important group in our country and salutes the work that 
they perform. And I would urge all Members to support this resolution.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 
978, supporting ``School Social Work Week.''
  I introduced this resolution in order to recognize and support the 
critical, unsung work performed by social workers in schools across our 
country.
  Each day across the country, school social workers can be found 
assisting educators to understand family, cultural, and community 
factors affecting students and meet the demands of providing quality 
educations for students of diverse backgrounds.
  Each day they can be found working with administrators to design and 
implement effective prevention programs and policies that address 
school attendance, teen pregnancy, school violence and school safety, 
child abuse and neglect, special education, and more.
  Each day school social workers can be found working with parents so 
that they may effectively participate in their child's education, 
improve their parenting skills, understand special education services, 
and access school and community services related to their child's 
needs.
  Services provided by school social workers strengthen the ability of 
children to learn and to improve their futures.
  It is a shame that fewer than 1 in 5 of the 17 million children in 
need of mental health services actually receive them. Improved and 
expanded school mental health programs would help to provide these 
services. The kinds of services that so many students desperately need 
are precisely the type of services that school social workers can 
provide.
  That is why I am proud to be the sponsor of this resolution. I would 
like to thank the chairman and ranking member of the House Education 
and Labor Committee for allowing this resolution to come to the floor, 
and I urge all of my colleagues to support it.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
support of House Resolution 978, designating March 3-7, 2008, as 
``School Social Work Week'' introduced by my distinguished colleague 
from Rhode Island, Representative Patrick Kennedy. This important 
legislation recognizes and celebrates the many contributions of school 
social workers in our schools, communities, and government agencies.
  Social work is a relatively young profession with roots in the social 
reform movements, self-help societies, and social service organizations 
which formed in the latter half of the 19th century to provide 
assistance to the needy and oppressed. Today, social workers are 
committed to serving culturally diverse populations and the oppressed, 
promoting social justice, providing leadership in social policy 
formulation and implementation, and advancing the knowledge base of the 
profession. School social work is a specialized area of practice within 
the broad field of the social work profession that works directly with 
children, families, schools, and the community at-large.
  School social workers bring unique knowledge and skills to the school 
system and the student services team. School social workers enhance the 
school district's ability to meet its academic mission, especially 
where home, school and community collaboration is the key to achieving 
that mission.
  The position of school social workers in local school systems has 
grown rapidly in the last few years. As schools look at preparing 
students both academically and socially, the role of the professionals 
working with students has expanded. Effective school social work 
services contribute not only to a healthy school environment, but 
benefit society as a whole. They provide crisis intervention, 
counseling services, and support; they link students and families with 
school and community resources; and they work with all school personnel 
to help students succeed.
  Working one-on-one with a student or designing group activities that 
reinforce successful learning skills, school social workers create a 
team environment where everyone works for the betterment of their 
students. Student success is heightened when families, teachers, and 
school social workers work collaboratively to provide positive school-
home communication. Earlier this month, Texas held its Seventeenth 
Annual School of Social Work Conference.
  The Texas School Social Worker of the Year Award went to James 
Montoya of Nacogdoches Independent School District. Mr. Montoya has 
been a social worker for over 30 years, with the last 8 as a school 
social worker. For the past 5 years, he has produced and hosted a local 
television show, ``La Conexion Hispana.'' This production highlights 
resources in the community, features school personnel and Hispanic 
leaders who model and encourage students to stay in school, and 
provides Mr. Montoya with an opportunity to reach out and ``touch'' 
many families throughout the region. He is the first social worker to 
serve in this capacity and this is the first Spanish program of its 
kind to be offered in the region. In August 2005, following Hurricane 
Katrina, Mr. Montoya was instrumental in registering over 800 displaced 
students into the school district. His efforts included working in the 
shelters and providing translation services to those in need. I would 
like to congratulate him and the many school social workers like him, 
for all the work they have done and continue to do for our children, 
our communities, and our country.
  As a member of the Children's Caucus, I am proud to support House 
Resolution 978 and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
important piece of legislation.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Courtney) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 978.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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