2023 House Resolution 55

Whereas, School social workers are exceptionally 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; and

Whereas, School-based mental health programs are critical to early identification of and early intervention for mental health problems and school mental health programs are critical to the early identification of mental health problems and in the provision of appropriate services; and

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. School social workers maintain knowledge of school culture and school climate which are necessary for responsible school safety planning; and

Whereas, Research indicates that school mental health programs led by school social workers improve educational outcomes by decreasing absences, dropout rates, and discipline referrals, while improving academic achievement; and

Whereas, School social workers serve as vital members of a school’s education team, playing a central role in creating partnerships between the home, school, and community to ensure student academic success; and

Whereas, School districts and local educational agencies should continue to work with school social workers to address students’ social, emotional, physical, mental health, and environmental needs so that students may achieve 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 our state; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare March 5-11, 2023, as National School Social Work Week in the state of Michigan. We support the designation of School Social Work Week, honor and recognize the contributions of school social workers to the successes of students in schools across Michigan, and encourage the people of Michigan to observe this occasion 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 futures as productive citizens.