Archived Testimonies

inside the Rhode Island State House

In Support: S258

NASW-RI

5/8/2023

NASW-RI Chapter has prioritized S258 relating to education. This bill is pivotal to ensuring schools have enough social workers to help students receive the resources that they need to succeed academically. NASW recommends a ratio of one social worker for every 250 students because we know having an appropriate social worker to student ratio allows teachers to focus on educating students and affords students the opportunity to seek and receive the support they need.

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In Support: S68/S71

NASW-RI

5/8/2023

NASW-RI Chapter is in strong support of S68 and S71 relating to education - Federal Aid. These bills require free breakfast and lunch to be provided for all elementary and secondary students in public schools. These bills are essential for two main reasons: 1) addressing food insecurity in Rhode Island, and 2) eliminating barriers to education for children and adolescents in schools

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In Support: S32

NASW-RI

5/8/2023

NASW-RI Chapter is in strong support of S32 equality in abortion coverage. Social workers follow a code of ethics, including respecting the right to client self-determination. This self-determination includes the right to abortion, which means abortion must be accessible. S32 would help ensure this by including abortion coverage for state employees and those enrolled in the Medicaid program.

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In Support: S224

NASW-RI

5/18/2023

NASW-RI Chapter is in strong support of S224 Relating to Education - Rhode Island Student Loan Repayment Program. We believe this bill is pivotal because it will: 1) support social workers to stay in and enter this important field, and 2) provide better access to mental health support for those living in underserved and under-resourced communities by incentivizing social workers to work in those areas.

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In Opposition: Proposed Regulation, Clinical Social Workers and Independent Clinical Social Workers Section 7.4.1.C

NASW-RI

2/6/2023

We express concern regarding Section 7.4.1.C of the Clinical Social Workers and Independent Clinical Social Workers Regulation. There are two primary reasons we believe the proposed regulation needs to be better articulated or amended: 1) the language is unclear and contradictory and 2) the eighteen month probationary period is too long for social workers to practice without a license.

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In Support: H5799

NASW-RI

5/2/2023

NASW-RI Chapter is in strong support of H5799 - Public Assistance Act. This bill directs the department of human services to pay an additional $95 per month to SNAP recipients, beginning July 1, 2023 and continuing through December 1, 2023. These payments will offset the loss of the benefits that were being provided by the federal government, but ended on March 1, 2023.

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In Support of H5657

NASW-RI

3/6/2023

NASW-RI Chapter has prioritized H5657 Health Care Accessibility and Quality Assurance Act, filed by Representative Tanzi. NASW-RI is committed to improving access to affordable mental health and substance use treatments and interventions. Mental health professionals are not paid enough; when behavioral health providers are not paid adequately, it creates a shortage of these providers and affects the well-being of Rhode Islanders.

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In Support: H5639

NASW-RI

5/2/2023

NASW-RI Chapter is in strong support of H5639 relating to education - Federal Aid. This bill establishes new programs for free breakfast and lunch meals in all public schools. We believe this bill is pivotal for two main reasons: 1) addressing food insecurity in Rhode Island, and 2) eliminating barriers to education for children and adolescents in schools.

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In Support: H5521

NASW-RI

5/1/2023

NASW-RI Chapter is in strong support of H5521 relating to education - Rhode Island Student Loan Repayment Program. We believe this bill is pivotal because it will: 1) ensure that social workers stay in and enter the social work field, and 2) make sure those living in underserved and under-resourced communities have access to social workers.

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In Support: H5396

NASW-RI

3/1/2023

NASW-RI Chapter has prioritized H5396 relating to education, filed by Representative Kazarian. This bill is pivotal to ensuring schools have enough social workers to help students receive the resources that they need to succeed academically. Because access to school social work is imperative to the success of students in school, NASW recommends a ratio of one social worker for every 250 students. Having an appropriate social worker to student ratio allows teachers to focus on educating students and affords students the opportunity to get proper attention to their needs.

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Please let us know of upcoming legislation as you learn about it.