COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Manager's Office

DATE:

April 1, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 8, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

John Maltbie, County Manager

SUBJECT:

Resolution in support of S. 409 (DeWine), Loan forgiveness to child protective agency social workers

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution in support of S. 409 (DeWine) regarding loan forgiveness to child protective agency social workers.

Background

S. 409 was introduced by Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH) as part of a five-bill package related to the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA). S. 409 is co-sponsored by John Rockefeller (D-WV). The five bills focus on issues related to higher education, including teacher quality; loan forgiveness for social workers, family lawyers, and early childhood teachers; and the reduction of drug use and underage drinking at our colleges and universities.

S. 409 would provide loan forgiveness to students pursuing bachelor's and master's degrees in social work who go on to work in the child protective system. Social workers who are employed for at least two years by child protective services and after the third consecutive year would be eligible to have 20 percent loan forgiveness, four years of service would excuse 30 percent, and five years of service would pardon 50 percent forgiveness.

The purpose of S. 409 is to attract students to social work as a profession and also encourage more qualified social workers to continue their careers in the field of social work. This bill was originally introduced in the 107^th Congress as S. 3165. S 409 is part of a package of bills introduced. Currently there is no such incentive. The bill would authorize a $20 million annual appropriation starting in 2004 for four years.

Discussion

Currently, San Mateo County Human Services Agency employs 125 social workers that help abused and neglected children and their families in San Mateo County. Although San Mateo County is not in crisis over the need of social workers as is the case in other California counties, over 27 percent of the current pool of social workers are over the age of 55. There is a need to consider future vacancies to replace social workers anticipating retirement.

HSA has a robust social work internship program in order to recruit new social workers. Social work students who study for their graduate degree must study with social work supervisors with MSW (Masters in Social Work). Of the 18 social work supervisors at HSA, only 3 have master's degrees in social work. In addition, only 2 of the pool of social workers at HSA are Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW). LCSWs are social workers and therapists who counsel individuals or lead support groups. In order for students to meet LCSW licensing, they must fulfill certain number of hours in their internship under the guidance of a LCSW. Due to a lack of LCSW, HSA contracts for LCSW services.

Last year, former California State Assembly Member Dion Aroner conducted public hearings about the need for social workers. Information gathered indicated that there were not enough students graduating from master's level social work programs in California to fill the demand and that the cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area hindered recruitment of qualified social workers. The loan forgiveness program would help stretch paychecks of social workers to offset the high cost of living and help them establish their careers in the Bay Area. As a retention tool, S. 409 would allow for existing eligibility workers to attain a bachelor's degree in social work and also allow for social workers to attain a master's degree in social work. HSA supports continued staff development and career opportunities to better serve children and families in San Mateo County.

Vision Alignment

Support of S. 409 (DeWine) furthers the County's commitments to provide equal access to educational opportunity to ensure basic health and safety for all. Support of S. 409 also furthers Goal #8 to help vulnerable people, including youth, achieve a better quality of life.

Fiscal Impact

No fiscal impact to the County.