IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 203 

Expressing support for the designation of the week beginning March 5, 

2023, as ‘‘School Social Work Week’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 7, 2023 

Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin (for herself and Ms. LEE of California) submitted 

the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of the week beginning 

March 5, 2023, as ‘‘School Social Work Week’’. 

Whereas the importance of school social work through the inclusion of school social work programs and services has 

been recognized in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 

1400 et seq.); 

Whereas school social workers are especially skilled in providing services to students who face serious challenges to 

school success, including disability, poverty, discrimination, abuse, neglect, mental illness, homelessness, bullying, familial stressors, and other barriers to learning; 


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•HRES 203 IH 

Whereas school social workers are needed more now than at 

any time in recent memory, as more students are struggling with mental and behavioral health disorders, with 

nearly 1 in 6 children from 2 to 8 years old (17.4 percent) having a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder; 

Whereas individuals who wish to access community mental 

health services often find such services unavailable, inaccessible, or inadequate; 

Whereas school-based mental health programs are critical to 

early identification of and early intervention for mental 

health problems; 

Whereas school social workers, being licensed mental health 

professionals in schools in the United States, provide necessary assessment, interventions, counseling, family outreach, and community referrals; 

Whereas school mental health programs are critical to early 

identification of mental health problems and in the provision of appropriate services when needed; 

Whereas school social workers maintain knowledge of school 

culture and school climate which are necessary for responsible school safety planning; 

Whereas fewer than 1 in 5 children in need of mental health 

services actually receive these services, and research indicates that school mental health programs improve educational outcomes by decreasing absences, dropout rates, 

and discipline referrals, while improving academic 

achievement; 

Whereas school social workers serve as vital members of a 

school’s education team, playing a central role in creating 


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•HRES 203 IH 

partnerships between the home, school, and community to 

ensure student academic success; and 

Whereas the celebration of ‘‘School Social Work Week’’ during the week beginning March 5, 2023, highlights the 

vital role school social workers play in the lives of students in the United States: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘School Social 

3 Work Week’’; 

4 (2) honors and recognizes the contributions of 

5 school social workers to the successes of students in 

6 schools across the Nation; and 

7 (3) encourages the people of the United States 

8 to observe ‘‘School Social Work Week’’ with appro9 priate ceremonies and activities that promote aware10 ness of the vital role of school social workers, in 

11 schools and in the community as a whole, in helping 

12 students prepare for their futures as productive citi13 zens. 

Æ 


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