The National Association of Social Workers, New York Chapter (NASW-NY) is seeking funding in the 2026-2027 New York State Budget for the purpose of a stronger loan forgiveness program for all social workers in New York with the goal to incentivize recruitment and retention in the field to underserved communities across the State.  

During and post the COVID-19 Pandemic, human services organizations, community assessments, parents, and other community activists have repeatedly called for an increase of mental health practitioners to address the problematic mental health status of adults and children. Unfortunately, the mental health professional pool has been unable to satisfactorily meet the requisite demand. To do so in the future, it is essential to encourage and support those individuals who are interested in becoming a mental health provider. To mitigate against the rising costs of undergraduate and graduate education, loan forgiveness subsidies are a strong incentive for students to pursue an undergraduate and graduate social work education. 

Social Workers are a strong force against the mental health crisis in the State. They are often on the frontline providing services to families, adults, and children. Social workers provide vital resources, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and are there for people through some of their hardest times; in a variety of environments, including schools, hospitals, government agencies, non-profits, housing, treatment facilities, and many other spaces. 

The New York State Licensed Social Worker Loan Forgiveness (LSWLF) Program was established in 2016 and has received the same funding each year since. NASW- NY believes that stronger funding of this program, at $12 million, will begin to support the over 61,000 social workers across New York. We believe that programs for social workers, should be run by social workers, who better understand the challenges those in the profession face and have the means to administer that service to those in the profession. To ensure that New York social workers benefit from the legislature’s intentions to help the workforce, NASW NY recommends the program be transferred to the Association.

Additionally, NASW NY recommends to expand the existing program for all New York State social workers, and to not continue the current limitation to only licensed social workers. Social workers at all levels, including Master of Social Work (MSW), Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) should be eligible to receive loan forgiveness opportunities. NYS Bill S1113-A6016 addresses appropriate eligibility and distribution for loan forgiveness.