The True Value and Vital Importance of Social Work

Workforce

By Barbara Bedney, PhD, MSW

A recent article in The Washington Post has been on my mind lately. In it, the author cites research suggesting that some of the most popular advanced degrees, including social work, are “not worth the cost,” and that “we need to provide better information to students about which programs are worth the time and expense ... .”.

I have no argument with the data presented in the article. At NASW, we are well aware that social workers are not paid for or reimbursed at the rates we should be, and that those who wish to enter the field need to understand that. They also need to understand, however, that being a social worker does not mean “taking a vow of poverty.” It means helping others through crises, promoting mental health, advancing social justice, and working with colleagues and policymakers to advocate for better pay for the work we do.

That, of course, is one of our priorities at NASW. In March, we successfully advocated for bipartisan introduction of the “Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act” (S. 4202/H.R. 8081), which would raise Medicare reimbursement for clinical social workers from 75% to 85% of the Physician Fee Schedule. (If you haven’t already, please go to our public policy Action Center and tell your members of Congress to support this legislation.) 

A few months ago, nearly 30,000 social workers signed the petition we sent to the U.S. Department of Education opposing the designation of social work degrees as “graduate” rather than “professional” degrees. We need that kind of response, and more, to move the mental health bill forward, and this is your opportunity to help us with this effort on behalf of our profession. 

This is no time for social work to be complacent. We are on the move and getting stronger—some 30 states have now passed Social Work Interstate Licensing Compact legislation, and social workers are working in an increasingly broad and diverse range of fields, and filling leadership roles in settings from hospitals to consulting firms. 

We also are facing threats to our profession, such as those exhibited by the DoE designation and in The Washington Post article I mentioned—both of which demonstrate a clear lack of understanding of the value and critical importance of our work. At the same time, social work safety in the workplace remains a significant concern, as does the impact emerging technologies like AI are having and will continue to have on our profession. 

At NASW we are working to address all those issues, but we need your help. Check out our advocacy and practice pages for continuing updates and action alerts, and keep in touch with your chapters for additional information and local engagement opportunities. Participate in our events, follow us on social media, and take every opportunity you can to highlight the work you do and how important it is. 

While you’re doing that, make sure to register for our national conference, taking place in Washington, D.C., June 10-13. With plenty of sessions, plenaries and networking opportunities to choose from, this year’s meeting is the perfect place to learn, connect and reconnect with peers and colleagues, and energize with purpose and power about the true importance and value of social work and social work degrees. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Barbara Bedney is chief of programs at NASW.