Thank our social workers by supporting legislation, higher pay

Our nation needs social workers more than ever. The United States is grappling with an opioid addiction crisis that has cut across all regions, races and economic levels. Also, homelessness is on the rise, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. And, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deaths by suicide rose in 2021 after declining the previous two years.

Social workers are people who enter the profession because they want to help others. They are uniquely qualified to handle these societal troubles. They go through years of education, training and supervision so they can do the delicate, but important, work of meeting people where they are and helping them achieve their goals.

Social workers are trained to work in holistic ways, assisting not just individuals but their families, communities and even society at large — especially if laws and regulations must be changed to benefit people. You will find social workers everywhere — in hospitals, nursing homes and schools; local, state and federal government; social service agencies, corporations and veterans centers, too.

The demand for social workers is reflected in the statistics; the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the field will grow exponentially. There will be more than 782,000 social workers in the United States by 2030, and according to the bureau, “Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 7% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.”

However, social workers need support to meet the high demand for their vital work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for social workers in 2022 was $55,350. When you also consider that in order to do their work many social workers must earn a master’s degree and go through the very expensive process to gain licensure, this is not enough.

In fact, marketing and research firm Ipsos did a national survey that found that slightly more than half of respondents think social workers should get higher pay. Few Americans realize that social workers can work in potentially dangerous settings. However, 84% would support Congress passing legislation that would provide agencies where social workers work with grants to help improve safety, the survey states.

It is important for the public to support legislation and initiatives that empower and support the social work profession and improve their bottom line. This includes the Improving Access to Mental Health Act, student loan debt relief, and social work safety legislation.

In March, the National Association of Social Workers, the country’s largest social work association, will raise awareness of the social work profession and highlight the need for the government, regulators and employers to work to improve pay for social workers as a way of investing in those who work with challenging social issues.

This month, please remember to thank the social workers in your life — they are advocating tirelessly for your rights.

Jennifer Giuffrida, a licensed nursing home administrator and a licensed clinical social worker, is the regional director of health and wellness for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, in Cumberland.