Ask NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo To Waive $294 Social Worker Registration Fee
The Issue
As thousands of social work students across New York State graduate this month, we implore Governor Cuomo to waive the New York State Education Department's $294 initial registration fee for the Licensed Master of Social Work credential.
Given the extreme need for mental health care during the COVID-19 crisis, as stated by the Governor himself numerous times, we believe this to be an effective way of rapidly infusing desperately needed clinical and social services into the fight.
The New York State Education Department’s $294 fee for a license to practice social work is one of the highest in the country. Given the economically uncertain times we find ourselves in, this cost will be a barrier to entry for many new graduates. It is an administrative hurdle that must be suspended in anticipation of an immensely challenging year ahead.
Consideration has already been given to other professions whose need has been deemed vital. Waivers have been made for medical students to graduate early and doctors, nurses, and emergency services personnel to practice with recently expired or out of out-of-state licenses during the pandemic.
Similarly, thousands of currently licensed social workers answered the Governor's call, volunteering psychological counseling to our frontline workers. Both strategies have helped keep vital professionals in the fight. We believe waiving NYSED's fee will also help on this front, allowing us new social workers to engage with those who need support now, rather than when we can afford the State's fee.
This isn’t just about putting graduates into jobs, though that in itself would be of benefit to the New York State economy. This is also about putting emphasis on shoring up those resources we currently have in the trenches. Experienced social workers have been in this fight since before Day 1 and, frankly, they must also be feeling the strain. Easing the path to licensing for the graduating class of 2020 will be akin to sending fresh recruits; a desperately needed second wave standing up to give some relief to an overburdened workforce holding the line.
None of us graduating expected our professional lives to start during a global pandemic. Still, we jump into the fray enthusiastically. Our frontline healthcare workers and the very communities we live in will need the services of licensed mental health professionals long after this crisis abates. Let the State of New York not hamper that with administrative costs. We ask Governor Cuomo to reduce one barrier to entry for a wave of social workers eager to serve their communities as we all forge a new way ahead.
The Issue
As thousands of social work students across New York State graduate this month, we implore Governor Cuomo to waive the New York State Education Department's $294 initial registration fee for the Licensed Master of Social Work credential.
Given the extreme need for mental health care during the COVID-19 crisis, as stated by the Governor himself numerous times, we believe this to be an effective way of rapidly infusing desperately needed clinical and social services into the fight.
The New York State Education Department’s $294 fee for a license to practice social work is one of the highest in the country. Given the economically uncertain times we find ourselves in, this cost will be a barrier to entry for many new graduates. It is an administrative hurdle that must be suspended in anticipation of an immensely challenging year ahead.
Consideration has already been given to other professions whose need has been deemed vital. Waivers have been made for medical students to graduate early and doctors, nurses, and emergency services personnel to practice with recently expired or out of out-of-state licenses during the pandemic.
Similarly, thousands of currently licensed social workers answered the Governor's call, volunteering psychological counseling to our frontline workers. Both strategies have helped keep vital professionals in the fight. We believe waiving NYSED's fee will also help on this front, allowing us new social workers to engage with those who need support now, rather than when we can afford the State's fee.
This isn’t just about putting graduates into jobs, though that in itself would be of benefit to the New York State economy. This is also about putting emphasis on shoring up those resources we currently have in the trenches. Experienced social workers have been in this fight since before Day 1 and, frankly, they must also be feeling the strain. Easing the path to licensing for the graduating class of 2020 will be akin to sending fresh recruits; a desperately needed second wave standing up to give some relief to an overburdened workforce holding the line.
None of us graduating expected our professional lives to start during a global pandemic. Still, we jump into the fray enthusiastically. Our frontline healthcare workers and the very communities we live in will need the services of licensed mental health professionals long after this crisis abates. Let the State of New York not hamper that with administrative costs. We ask Governor Cuomo to reduce one barrier to entry for a wave of social workers eager to serve their communities as we all forge a new way ahead.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on May 12, 2020