In the midst of a mental health crisis, the social work workforce is facing a dire challenge in these extraordinary times to provide services to high-need populations. Yet, the workforce is not receiving support it needs to provide vital services, hence the increase in mental health crises in recent years in the State. 

The social work loan forgiveness program was established in 2016 and has received the same funding each year since. The funding is nowhere near an amount to address the workforce crisis. Social work recruitment and retention needs to be treated with urgency to best serve our communities and uplift New Yorkers for years to come. Call and email your legislators to raise the social work loan forgiveness budget line to 3.5 million and double the number of social workers that receive relief in the State!