Bill
Bill > AR130
NJ AR130
NJ AR130Urges Governor and Legislature to establish initiatives towards education of social workers.
summary
Introduced
05/02/2024
05/02/2024
In Committee
05/02/2024
05/02/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This resolution urges the Governor and the Legislature to establish initiatives towards the education of students seeking degrees in social work. Social workers play a crucial role in improving the well-being of the people of New Jersey and helping the State become a better place to live. As essential workers, social workers played a crucial role in helping communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Educational debt for social work graduates has continued to rise over the past 10 years. According to the Council on Social Work Education, 71.3 percent of baccalaureate graduates and 76 percent of master's graduates were in substantial educational loan debt. In 2021, the average loan debt was approximately $26,500 for a baccalaureate graduate, $48,000 for a master's graduate, and $135,000 for a doctorate graduate. The student loan debt burden carried by social workers is further compounded by the low salaries and compensation afforded to this segment of the workforce. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a social worker's median salary is only $50,390. Failure to address the student loan crisis faced by social workers will continue to economically harm those in practice and dissuade prospective social workers from entering the field. This resolution urges the Governor and the Legislature to work together to establish initiatives, such as creating scholarships and loan redemption programs, that invest in the education of students seeking to obtain baccalaureate and graduate degrees in social work in order to incentivize the career and ensure that the State has a qualified and educated workforce.
AI Summary
This resolution urges the Governor and Legislature of New Jersey to create initiatives supporting social work education by addressing the significant student loan debt challenges facing social workers. The resolution highlights that social workers play a critical role in improving community well-being, particularly during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, and that they serve in diverse settings including government, schools, healthcare, and social service agencies. Recognizing that educational debt is substantial—with 71.3% of baccalaureate and 76% of master's graduates carrying significant loan debt, and average loan amounts ranging from $26,500 for bachelor's to $135,000 for doctoral degrees—the resolution emphasizes that these financial burdens are compounded by low salaries, with the median social worker salary being only $50,390. To address these challenges and ensure a robust social work workforce, the resolution recommends establishing targeted initiatives such as scholarships and loan redemption programs specifically designed to support students pursuing social work degrees at both undergraduate and graduate levels, with the ultimate goal of incentivizing the profession and maintaining a qualified workforce in New Jersey.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (6)
Shanique Speight (D)*,
Sterley Stanley (D)*,
Shavonda Sumter (D)*,
Tennille McCoy (D),
Carmen Morales (D),
Alexander Schnall (D),
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 05/02/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/AR130 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/AR/130_I1.HTM |
Loading...