Testimony and Statements

We are pleased to offer this testimony in support of S2617, An Act Relating to Businesses and Professions - Licensure Procedure for Social Workers filed by Senator DiMario. This bill is a top priority for the National Association of Social Worker, RI Chapter this session. There are two main reasons we are supporting this bill: 1) we must act now to improve access to mental health services in RI and 2) we must use all the tools available to us to create a more equitable path to social work licensure.

We are pleased to offer this testimony in support of H7396, An Act Relating to Businesses and Professions - Licensure Procedure for Social Workers. This bill is a top priority for the National Association of Social Worker, RI Chapter this session. There are two main reasons we are supporting this bill: 1) we must act now to improve access to mental health services in RI and 2) we must use all the tools available to us to create a more equitable path to social work licensure. 

NASW-RI Chapter strongly supports S378, An Act Relating to Human Services, as it will ensure high-quality and enriching childcare to all RI families. The bill’s passage is also important as it will provide access to this care to those who need it most: low-income, working families. S378 will have long-term beneficial individual and societal effects because early education enhances a child’s lifelong academic and social successes.

The National Association of Social Workers Rhode Island Chapter (NASW-RI) supports Senate No. 0004A. Telehealth has become a primary function in the behavioral health community since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Governor Gina Riamondo expanded the telehealth rules, which have been included in Executive Order 20-06. These expanded rules have been very helpful in aiding behavioral health professionals, including social workers, in providing services to their sometimes very vulnerable clients.

NASW-RI Chapter is in strong support of H6029 relating to education. We believe this bill is pivotal in ensuring that school districts have the means to bring in more social workers to help students receive the resources that they need to succeed academically.

The National Association of Social Workers - Rhode Island Chapter strongly supports Senator Miller’s Bill 591. As stated in Senator Miller’s bill, the 2017 Milliman report shows that Rhode Island patients were 4.28 times more likely to seek treatment from an out of network mental health provider rather than from a primary health care provider. Yet, mental health professionals received 23.4% less reimbursement than other specialists. Paying behavioral health providers less than their counterparts on the medical side of an insurance plan is a violation of mental health parity laws and could be rectified through passage of this important bill.

The National Association of Social Workers - Rhode Island Chapter (NASW-RI) supports Senate Bill 226. This bill increases our most vulnerable families’ well-being and stability by improving the benefits families participating in the RI Works program receive. It is immoral that families in Rhode Island are living in deep poverty. We wholeheartedly support this bill’s aim to lift children and families out of deep poverty. 

Thank you for your consideration of the proposed improvements to the RI Works Program through H-6122. NASW-RI Chapter is in strong support of the three changes to the RI Works program proposed in H-6122 (Section 5 of Article 13 in the Governor’s budget). We commend Governor McKee for his efforts to support Rhode Island families that are experiencing economic insecurity.

The National Association of Social Workers - RI Chapter (NASW-RI) wholeheartedly supports H-5683 as well as Article 13 Section 5 as the changes will begin to lift children and families out of deep poverty. We thank Representative Handy and the other sponsors who understand that by improving the benefits families participating in the RI Works program receive, we will strengthen our most vulnerable families' well-being and stability.