BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP FEBRUARY 23 - MARCH 1, 2018 19
OUR SCHOOLS NEED MORE SOCIAL
WORKERS
Leaders of the National Association
of Social Workers, its
New York chapters and the New
York State School Social Workers’
Association joined me in Albany
to promote legislation that would
require every school district to
provide students with access
to a social worker.
In January, my
bill (A.9533-A) was
introduced in the
Assembly and
State Senator Jesse
Hamilton introduced
a companion
bill (S.7526-A) in
the Senate. The
bill represents
a strong step to
meet the mental health needs
of students, as well as improving
their overall academic
achievement.
The specific intent of my legislation
is to assure that we have
a licensed social worker in every
educational institution throughout
the state as a prevention and
early intervention measure.
Early intervention is the key
factor when drafting this legislation.
We must ensure that our
youngest students who are facing
dysfunctional homes, social and
mental issues, bullying, and hate
speech because of their immigration,
sexual orientation and sexual
identity status are provided
access to services that will allow
them to succeed in the educational
process.
Recently, the New York State
Council of School Superintendents
reported on an overwhelming
number of districts in need of
increased mental health services
for youth. This has become an
alarming top priority.
The New York Times also
published an article, "Why Are
More American Teenagers Than
Ever Suffering From Severe
Anxiety?”
Neither the report nor the
article was news to school social
workers, who are on the front
lines of such crises and, due to
tight budgets, are often stretched
far too thin to meet the ever-increasing
emotional and behavioral
support needed by students
throughout the state.
Mental disorders have become
all too common among children,
placing further stress on families,
caregivers and teachers.
Early intervention is the
most effective measure
in reducing other
problems later in life.
Social workers
in New York State
know their students
have a myriad of
challenges to face
every day. From
unstable home
situations to social
media pressures and the opioid
epidemic, students are facing more
and more problems teachers are
not prepared to handle and that
require professional help.
Having a social worker on staff
will not only relieve this growing
burden from teachers that are
already teaching a full class, but
also create a safer, more successful
learning environment for all
students.
School social workers provide
crucial mental health services in
schools, have the training to meet
students' social emotional needs
and often offer the first opportunity
for mental health concerns to be
recognized and addressed. They
contribute to the success of the students
by helping to create schools
that are safe, supportive, fair and
responsive.
School social workers develop
lasting relationships with their
students, address barriers to student
learning, and focus on positive
behavioral interventions,
providing a critical link between
school, home, and the community.
This holistic approach helps students
improve their academic
achievement as well as social, emotional
and behavioral competence.
Assemblymember Felix Ortiz represents
the 51st A.D. in Sunset Park,
Red Hook, Bay Ridge, Gowanus,
Park Slope, Greenwood Heights and
Carroll Gardens.
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GUEST OP-ED
THE HOT TOPIC
STORY: J&V Pizzeria beats L&B Spumoni Gardens for Brooklyn’s favorite slice
SUMMARY: In the world of Brooklyn pizza, only one pizza joint can reign supreme
(and its eaters mean business). A story about Bensonhurst’s J&V Pizzeria
being named the winner in Facebook group The Brooklyn Food Experience’s
Pizza Super Bowl Championship (where it faced off in the final round against the
famed L&B Spumoni Gardens) went wild on social media, sparking commentary
from fans of J&V, fans of L&B and fans of really any pizza.
REACH: 13,993 (as of 2/16/18)
BY ASSEMBLYMEMBER
FELIX ORTIZ
BK SNAPS
THE VERRAZANONARROWS
BRIDGE.
Photo by Christopher
Benedetto