HOUSE RESOLUTION CELEBRATING MARCH OF 2026, AS "NATIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
CELEBRATING MARCH OF 2026, AS "NATIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH" IN THE
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Representatives Shallcross Smith, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
Corvese, Phillips, Perez, Azzinaro, Diaz, and Giraldo

Date Introduced:
March 12, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, Social Workers enter the profession because they have a strong desire to
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help empower individuals, families, communities, and our nation to overcome issues that prevent
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them from reaching their full potential; and
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WHEREAS, Social Workers have worked for more than a century to improve human
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well-being and enhance the basic needs of all people; and
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WHEREAS, Social Workers follow a Code of Ethics that call on them to fight social
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injustice and respect the dignity and worth of all people; and
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WHEREAS, Social Workers positively touch the lives of Rhode Islanders each day and
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in a variety of places, including schools, hospitals, the military, child welfare agencies,
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community centers, and in federal, state and local government; and
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WHEREAS, The 2026 Social Work Month theme is "Social Worker: Uplift. Defend.
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Transform", which focuses on the profession's core mission to enhance well-being, meet basic
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needs, and empower vulnerable populations amidst social divides; and
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WHEREAS, Social Workers are the largest professional group with mental health
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licenses in Rhode Island, working daily to help thousands of Americans overcome mental
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illnesses such as depression and anxiety; and
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WHEREAS, Social Workers are on the frontlines of the nation’s opioid addiction crisis,
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helping people get the treatment they need and prevail over substance use disorders; and
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WHEREAS, Social Workers have helped people cope with death and grief and helped

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people directly affected by the housing crisis in Rhode Island; and
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WHEREAS, Social Workers have helped this nation live up to its values by advocating
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for equal rights for all, including people of color, people who are Indigenous, people who are
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LGBTQIA2S+, or people who follow various faiths; and
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WHEREAS, The Social Work profession is one of the fastest growing careers in the
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United States, with an estimated 770,000 to 790,000 in 2026, with more than 6,000 practicing in
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Rhode Island, and more than 50,000 expected to enter the profession over the next decade; and
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WHEREAS, Social Workers have continued to push for changes that have made our
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society a better place to live, including a livable wage, improved workplace safety, and social
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safety net programs that help ameliorate poverty, hunger, and homelessness; and
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WHEREAS, Social Workers endeavor to work throughout our society to meet people
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where they are and help empower people and our society to reach the goals they wish to attain;
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now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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celebrates March of 2026 as “National Social Work Month” and with gratitude and admiration,
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recognizes the numerous contributions made by Rhode Island’s Social Workers. We moreover
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call upon all citizens to join the National Association of Social Workers Rhode Island Chapter in
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celebration and support of the Social Work profession; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Rebekah Gewirtz, MPA, Executive Director,
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National Association of Social Workers Rhode Island (NASW-RI).
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