SAMPLE LETTER FROM A COALITION OF SOCIAL WORKER EDUCATION PROGRAMS

(LETTER FROM TEXAS COALITION ON THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH ACT IN THE 106TH CONGRESS)

The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchinson
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

RE: National Social Work Research Center

Dear Senator Hutchison:

We the undersigned Deans and Directors of the Texas baccalaureate and graduate schools of social work and members of the Texas Association of Social Work Deans and Directors would like to express our collective support for and ask you to join Senator Inouye in co-sponsoring the National Center for Social Work Research Act, which was refer erred to as S178/HR3214 in the 106th Congress. The purpose of both bills is to establish a social work research center to support, promote and disseminate research on the prevention and treatment of critical health and social problems. If enacted, this critical piece of legislation will provide you, your colleagues, and staff of various committees and federal agencies with vital information, which can be used to develop policies that effectively address complex social problems.

Our schools, which are public ad private as well as sectarian and non-sectarian, are located in rural and urban communities across the state of Texas. Collectively, our current social work students, alumnae and alumni total more than 10,000 individuals, the vast majority of whom reside and work in Texas. Day in and day out Texas social workers are working to enhance the well being of millions of individuals and families. In many of our Texas rural and under-served communities social workers provide front-line prevention and treatment services in the areas of school violence, child abuse, domestic violence, and substance abuse services. In many of the smaller Texas counties and towns, social workers are the only health care professionals providing specialty care for individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, HIV/AIDS, anxiety, depression, and more serious mental health problems. Texas social workers are also key providers of service within the military and the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as in child welfare and in schools.

Social workers here in Texas, as well as in other states, are in a unique position to provide valuable research information on complex social and health problems. Senator Inouye’s proposal would help the social work and other service delivery professions provide even more effective services to the public by building the knowledge base and consolidating best practices for delivery of social work services. The Center, by issuing reports on research findings, would also help those, such as yourself, who must make policy decisions related to the prevention and treatment of social ills.

We ask that you join Senator Inouye by co-sponsoring this legislation and consider the favorable impact it will have on all Texans.

In advance, we thank you for your thoughtful consideration and support.

Texas Association of Social Work Deans and Directors that Signed Letter