
Intent of the NASW National and State Social Work Reinvestment Initiative (SWRI)
The NASW National office recently announced a major initiative designed to unify and advance the social work profession at the state and national levels. The SWRI is an integrated action plan that addresses four of the key goals identified by the 2005
Social Work Congress and builds on the National Social Work Public Education Campaign and the recent findings by the
NASW Workforce Center. As explained by the National NASW Director, Elizabeth Clark, PhD. ACSW, MPH, “The goal is to get government, employers, and others to fully recognize the importance of social work and to persuade them to assist us in recruiting, retaining, and retraining professional social workers.”

Process Used in Developing Plan
The NASW-LA Chapter Office expended time researching data that would be helpful to the work associated with the development of its SWRI Action Plan. The data developed by national did not reflect the current state of the state following the devastating storms of 2005. The graduate students assigned to the NASW-LA Chapter Office for their social work field placement were able to provide updated data on the state’s population, level of poverty, high school graduation rates, substance abuse rates, incarceration rates and income that more accurately reflected the reality of the landscape of a state struggling to recover. The NASW-LA Board of Directors convened in August, 2007 and developed the Action Plan following a weekend long retreat. In addition, we have worked with our schools of social work, state agencies, and non profit organizations to explore issues related to recruitment, retention, and salary issues. We will also work with our Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work network to secure data on our students.

Date plan development completed
December 30, 2007
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
Names and affiliations of Social Work Reinvestment Initiative Partnership Coalition Members o Angela Tyronne, MSW, LCSW, Louisiana Department of Education o Carol Myers, MSW, LCSW, President of the Louisiana Clinical Society of Social Workers o Andrew Wilson, MSW, LCSW, President of the Black Social Workers of America, Louisiana Chapter o Melissa Flournoy, PhD, Executive Director, La. Association of Non-Profit Organizations o Kaaren Hebert, MSW, GSW, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Louisiana Department of Social Services, Office of
Community Services o Beth McLain, MSW, LCSW, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of
Addictive Disorders o Mark Harris, J.D., Project Coordinator, Court Improvement Program, Louisiana Supreme Court o Jackie Shellington, MSW, LCSW, Chair of the Louisiana Board of Social Work Examiners o James M. LeBlance, President/CEO of Volunteers of America, Greater New Orleans o Jane Shank, President/CEO of Volunteers of America, Baton Rouge o Jim Kelley, Associated Catholic Charities, New Orleans o Darryl W. Bruno, President of NASW-LA Board of Directors

Names and affiliations of other individuals/groups who have signed on to the action plan o Louisiana Department of Social Services, Kaaren Hebert, Deputy Assistant Secretary o Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Beth McLain o Louisiana Department of Education, Angela Tyronne, Social Work Program Administrator o Louisiana Association of Non-Profit Association, Melissa Flournoy, Executive Director o Deans and Directors of the Schools of Social Work in Louisiana o National Association of Social Workers, Louisiana Chapter Board of Directors
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
Categories of Licensure
Louisiana has four categories of licensure. They are as follows:
Graduate Social Worker, GSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
Provisional Graduate Social Worker, GSW-Provisional
Registered Social Worker, RSW

Licensure designation (i.e., LSW, LCSW)
See item above

Numbers in each designation
2007 Data
LCSW – 3585
GSW – 1815
GSW-Provisional – 265
RSW - 897

Total licensed social workers by county, if possible
This information is not available. The state licensing board does not currently provide the data in this format.
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
Timeframe for individuals to renew their license
Annually

Number of continuing education credits required for renewal of license
Registered Social Workers: Twenty clock hours of continuing education in programs approved by the board shall be obtained prior to each renewal date including three (3) clock hours in social work ethics.
Graduate Social Workers/Graduate Social Workers - Provisional: twenty clock hours of continuing education in programs approved by the board shall be obtained prior to each renewal date including three (3) clock hours in social work ethics once every two years.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker: Twenty clock hours of continuing education in programs approved by the board shall b e obtained prior to each renewal date to include three (3) clock hours in social work ethics once every two (2) years, ten (10) clock hours in social work supervision, once every five (5) years to maintain the Board Approved
Clinical Supervisor status, and ten (10) clock hours each year shall be clinical content, including diagnosis and treatment.

Specific elements of licensure, such as privileged communication or diagnosis that define social work practice in your state
LCSW’s are authorized to diagnosis.
Our Practice Act does provide for privileged communication.
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Southern University at New Orleans School of Social Work
6801 Press Drive Building #33, New Orleans, LA 70126

Number of enrollees in each program by level of degree
MSW 227
 Number of graduates in each program by level of degree
MSW 94
BASW 28
Tulane University School of Social Work
6823 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118-5672

Number of enrollees in each program by level of degree
MSW 180
ABD Ph.D. 37 (Since the storms of 2005, Tulane University has made the decision to no longer accept new Ph.D candidates.)

Number of graduates in each program by level of degree
MSW 84
Ph.D 4
Louisiana College, Division of Human Behavior Social Work Program
1140 College Drive PO Box 605
Pineville, LA 71359

Number of enrollees in each program by level of degree

Number of graduates in each program by level of degree
Information not available by December 31, 2007. Will be updated at a later date.
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Southern University School of Social Work
PO Box 9243
R.G. Higgins Hall, Suite 306
Baton Rouge, LA 70813-2042

Number of enrollees in each program by level of degree
BASW 191 (declared)

Number of graduates in each program by level of degree
BASW 27
Univ. of Louisiana at Monroe
School of Social Work
700 University Ave., Stubbs 217
Monroe, LA 71209-0334

Number of enrollees in each program by level of degree
BASW 44 (declared)

Number of graduates in each program by level of degree
BASW 24
Louisiana State University
School of Social Work
311 Huey P. Long Field House
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Number of enrollees in each program by level of degree
MSW 197
Ph.D. 16

Number of graduates in each program by level of degree
2007 = 92 MSW students
3 Ph.D. students (These figures include the fall 07 graduates.)
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Grambling State University
School of Social Work
Campus Box 4271
Grambling, LA 71245

Number of enrollees in each program by level of degree
BASW 195 (declared)
MSW 37

Number of graduates in each program by level of degree
BASW 18
MSW 47
Northwestern State University
School of Social Work
Department of Social Work
Natchitoches, LA 71497

Number of enrollees in each program by level of degree
BASW 260 (declared)

Number of graduates in each program by level of degree
BASW 45
Southeastern LA University
School of Social Work
PO BOX 10669
Hammond, LA 70402

Number of enrollees in each program by level of degree
BASW 240 (declared)

Number of graduates in each program by level of degree
BASW 48
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
Largest employer/employers of professional social workers in the state, including location(s) and numbers employed
State of Louisiana employs social workers in the area of hospital social work, mental health, child welfare, licensing and certification, substance abuse, corrections, education, public health, and developmental disabilities.
Non profit organizations that are involved in direct service delivery. The largest employers in this category are Volunteers of
America, Associated Catholic Charities, hospitals and United Way affiliated agencies.

School Social Work
Social workers required in certain agencies or positions due to legislative or policy requirements from the state or federal level.
Any civil service job classification that contains the term “social worker” requires MSW. Our School Social Workers who are employed by the local school districts require an MSW and license. To receive a salary supplement of $5,000 annually, they must also be a credentialed school social worker.

Social workers required due to accreditation standards (i.e., JCAHO, CARF, COA, NCQA)
The Office of Community Services, Department of Social Services is COA accredited. They have invested a great deal of state and federal funds in the title IV-E program for social work education. Supervisory positions and above require a MSW or related masters per COA standards clarification. In hospitals that are JCAHO accredited, the social services departments are staffed with licensed social workers.
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
Third Party Reimbursement
State laws provide for the reimbursement of social work services provided by LCSW’s through health insurances. See statutes,
La. R. S. 22: 669 and La. R. S. 37: 2701

Vendorship In Medicaid
During the 2007 Louisiana Legislative Session, Act 343 was passed. It provides for clinical social workers and medical psychologists as providers for Medicaid reimbursement. However, the legislation was not funded by the Legislature.
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
Definition of the issue :
To provide public education to various levels within the community to increase awareness of the social work profession and attract social work professionals.

Data driving the issue and/or creating the compelling case for the issue :
The general realization of the misunderstanding of the specialized training associated with the social work profession along with the stated desire of the profession to increase the awareness of the diversity of the profession. Number of social workers in Louisiana who support the Public Image Campaign.

Favorable conditions supporting the issue being addressed at this time:
Following the two devastating storms of 2005, there is identified need for social work input and direct service delivery.
Scope of need is increasing. Key legislators are favorable to the role of social workers in recovery efforts.
Major federal/state partnerships aimed at direct care needs of citizens are targeting social workers to provide needed services.
In our school systems, the positive behavioral supports services require the expertise of social workers in school settings to guide the process.
Medical community (related associations) recognize the value of social work.
Legal collaborative value our input in the development of social policy and advocacy work along with direct care.
State’s public child welfare agency is COA accredited. As a result, several of the non-profit agencies that contract with the state’s child welfare agency have also become COA accredited or they are in the process of becoming COA accredited. Standards under this process encourage and supports the re-professionalization of the work in this area.
The state is engaged in major juvenile justice reform and is in the process of developing and funding for more community based services. These programs will require trained professionals to work with at risk youth and their families.
Substance abuse programs are in the process of expanding their service capacity.
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
Unfavorable conditions and/or impediments to addressing the issue at this time
10% of our licensed capacity lives out of state per data from licensing board.
Concern that social work capacity in state is approaching retirement. Nationally, data indicates that 7% of licensed social workers plan to retire in the next year.
Social work salaries are lower than comparably trained professionals.
Social workers face significant educational debt that discourages retention in the profession.
Misperceptions of the role of the profession (only seen as working in the area of child welfare)
Accessibility of MSW programs in the state.
High turnover rate of social work staff in public child welfare agency, corrections, and behavior health agencies

People/partnership/consultant resources committed (if different from signers on and SWRI partnership group)
Become visible at Career Days and Nights at school events (including high schools and colleges)
Use the information from the storms of 2005 to show what the profession did during the storms
Explore what information the state’s civil service system has on social work capacity in the state system
Schools of social work, non-profit organizations, state agencies, related human service associations and coalitions

Financial resources committed and source
NASW-LA Board of Directors approved a $15,000 expenditure for FY 07-08 for imagine building campaign to include billboards in three major metropolitan areas in the state.
Other initiatives will be announced as we get additional data from surveys.
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
Strategies to accomplish goal and timeline
Define Task
Make contact with LAMAR advertising to secure bids for billboard campaign
Develop response to issues relating to the articles and issues on social work
Showcase the work of social workers in the school setting.
Collaborate with external partners relative to advancing human service delivery efforts.
Continue work with Court Improvement Collaborative and the Law
Institute relative to social justice issues from person in environment position
Work with non-profit sector to increase awareness and value of social work profession
Timeline
November, 2007
On an as needed basis
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
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
Definition of the issue:
Influence employers to change their perspective and to recognize the value of social workers by providing a supportive work environment which would address the factors that impact retention.

Data driving the issue and/or creating the compelling case for the issue:
Studies on what kinds of workforce development methods have been used to address similar issues in other professions to retain professional employees
Survey social workers to determine if they have left social work jobs and reasons for the departure
Survey employers to determine their knowledge/expectations of social workers, what they think retains social workers
Using a Cost Benefit Analysis approach, determine what the costs of not retaining social workers are. Use this information to suggest how much can be invested in retaining social workers.
Explore the availability of information correlation between malpractice and non-social work service delivery.

Favorable conditions supporting the issue being addressed at this time
Evaluate data about Workforce Study data that detailed the upcoming shortages/increased need to retain trained social workers.
Capitalize on current NASW-LA Executive Director’s prior expertise in implementing changes in workforce support in child welfare agency in Louisiana

Unfavorable conditions and/or impediments to addressing the issue at this time
Lack of employer advisory board
Lack of resources/time to conduct the survey including accurate contact information
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
People/partnership/consultant resources committed (if different from signers on and SWRI partnership group)
Practices in other states
Partnership with major employers of social workers in the state
Data for Workforce Development

Financial resources committed and source
The grant from National office shall help to underwrite a portion of meeting costs with convening gathering of major employers of social workers. At present, we anticipate the costs will be around $1,000.

Strategies to accomplish goal and timeline
Define Task
Develop a system within the NASW-LA capacity whereby we can survey members on the profession of social work and retention issues
Timeline
Spring, 2008 first survey
Spring 2008 Work with schools of social work to develop additional data on the profession that may be helpful in increasing social work capacity
Track capacity of profession in state on an annual basis
Work with the Dept. of Civil Service, State of Louisiana about salary benchmarks for state civil service. This information also drives salary in the non-profit area.
Annually
Spring 2009
Work to improve the image of the social work profession through increased media contact
Develop additional knowledge of loan forgiveness options,
Explore the use of various technologies to secure input from social workers throughout the state.
Spring 2009
Ongoing
Ongoing
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
Definition of the issue:
In order to retain social workers, through public education, we must revisit, redefine and rebuild the social work profession in Louisiana

Data driving the issue and/or creating the compelling case for the issue:
Secure statistics from JACHO, Title XIX, Child Welfare League of America, Council on Accreditation, etc. to clarify the definition of standards of care for the profession.
Secure clarity from legislation that determines who can be a “mental health provider”.
Define the other professional groups that impact mental health treatment and direct care service delivery.

Favorable conditions supporting the issue being addressed at this time
Retain social workers in social work jobs by investigating loan forgiveness opportunities
Less error situations in child welfare, medical settings, and mental health settings when services are provided by skilled staff
Increased job satisfaction

Unfavorable conditions and/or impediments to addressing the issue at this time
Job burnout, trained professionals leaving the profession, unethical behavior, inadequate salary, and student debt at
$32,000 for the Louisiana graduate.
Individuals who are not governed by social work credentials holding employment in social work type jobs.
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
People/partnership/consultant resources committed (if different from signers on and SWRI partnership group)
State of Louisiana, Division of Administration
State of Louisiana, Department of Health and Hospitals
State of Louisiana, Department of Social Services
State of Louisiana, Office of Youth Development
State of Louisiana, Department of Education
Volunteers of America
Catholic Charities
Schools of Social Services
La. State Board of Social Work Examiners
Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund
The Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families
Louisiana Mental Health Association
Missouri Chapter of NASW for information on their strategies on getting loan forgiveness
Clinical Society

Financial resources committed and source
To be determined later in the plan implementation process
Potential for prorating portion of lobbying costs estimated to be 10% of the contracted rate for NASW-LA and Clinical
Society lobbying expenses
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
Strategies to accomplish goal and timeline
Define Task
Aggressively embark on public image campaign to inform the general public on the value of the social work profession.
Respond in news outlet to issues related to social workers
Participate in multi-disciplinary efforts to advance human service needs to facilitate the value of the social work profession, i.e.
Louisiana Law Institute, LAPOLST Work Group, Louisiana
Children’s Cabinet, Louisiana Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board,
Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families, Louisiana
Association of Non-Profit Organizations, Mental Health Commission,
American Association of Retired Persons, etc.
Convene meeting of major employers of social workers to discuss retention and salary issues
Update NASW-LA Strategic Plan to include
-Exploring the feasibility of state loan forgiveness
-Review legislation on who can be mental health providers
Timeline
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
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