Title: Expressing support for designation of the week beginning March 5, 2017, as "School Social Work Week".
Policy area: Education

Summary:
Expresses support for the designation of School Social Work Week.
Honors the contributions of school social workers to the success of students in schools.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 171 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 171

Expressing support for designation of the week beginning March 5, 2017, 
                    as ``School Social Work Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 6, 2017

Ms. Moore submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for designation of the week beginning March 5, 2017, 
                    as ``School Social Work Week''.

Whereas the importance of school social work through the inclusion of school 
        social work programs and services have been recognized in the current 
        authorizations of 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 serve as critical members of a school's 
        educational team, playing a central role in creating a positive school 
        climate and vital 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 local educational agencies to offer the 
        mental health services that school social workers provide when working 
        with families, teachers, principals, community agencies, and other 
        entities to address students' emotional, physical, and environmental 
        needs so that students may achieve behavioral and academic success;
Whereas, to achieve the goal of helping all children reach their optimal levels 
        of potential and achievement, 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 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, 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; and
Whereas the celebration of ``School Social Work Week'' during the week beginning 
        March 5, 2017, highlights 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) supports the designation of ``School Social Work 
        Week'';
            (2) honors and recognizes the contributions of school 
        social workers to the successes of students in schools across 
        the Nation; and
            (3) 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 in the community as a whole, in 
        helping students prepare for their futures as productive 
        citizens.
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