Bill > S07894

This bill establishes a pilot program to provide stipends to students enrolled in accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) programs in New York State for the first 450 hours of their required field practicum, a crucial hands-on training component of their degree. Eligible students, who must complete their practicum within New York, will receive $4,500 at a rate of $10 per hour, distributed monthly, with the program running until the spring semester of 2030. To receive this stipend, students cannot have already secured $4,500 or more from other sources like grants or scholarships; those with less funding will receive the difference to reach the $4,500 total. In exchange for the stipend, students must agree to work in a social work capacity in New York for one year after graduation, aiming to increase the number of social workers in the state. The Office of Mental Health (OMH) will collect data on program participation, student demographics, financial impact, and workforce retention, and by December 1, 2030, will submit a report to the governor and legislature with recommendations on how to expand the program to further boost the social work workforce, improve diversity, reduce student debt, and enhance labor conditions for social workers.