WHEREAS, March 2022 is recognized nationally as Social Work Month, and this year’s theme is “The Time is Right for Social Work,” which embodies the contributions social workers have made to this nation for more than a century and how the services they provide are essential as our nation addresses economic inequality, systemic racism, the need for improved health and mental health care, COVID-19, and other issues; and

WHEREAS, The social work profession has been dedicated to improving human well-being, enhancing the basic needs of all people, and has risen to meet the most pressing challenges of our lifetimes; and

WHEREAS, Social workers are the largest group of mental health care providers in the United States, and work daily to help people, whether in person or remotely, to overcome substance use disorders and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety; and

WHEREAS, Social workers have always helped people overcome issues, such as death and grief, and have helped people and communities recover from increasing natural disasters, such as fires and hurricanes brought on by climate change, and earthquakes; and

WHEREAS, Social workers have helped this nation live up to its values by successfully advocating for equal rights for all, no matter their race, sexual identity, gender, gender expression, culture, religion, or disability; and

WHEREAS, Social workers work in all facets of our society to meet people no matter their circumstance and empower them to live to their fullest potential, with particular attention to the needs of, and social justice for, those who are poor, oppressed, and living in poverty; and

WHEREAS, Social workers have continued to push for changes that have made for a better society, including a livable wage, improved workplace safety, and social safety net programs that help ameliorate poverty, hunger, and homelessness; and

WHEREAS, The social work profession is one of the fastest growing careers in the United States, with more than 715,000 social workers today, over 86,000 of whom are in California; and there are approximately 8,000 graduate students in the social work pipeline in 24 accredited California State University, University of California, and private programs throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, Professional social workers serve in diverse settings, including schools, justice systems, outpatient clinics, acute care hospitals, eldercare services, housing supports, skilled nursing facilities, the military, disaster relief, corporations, and in political office; and

WHEREAS, Professional social workers who have served in Congress include the Honorable Ron Dellums, MSW, the Honorable Barbara Lee, MSW, the Honorable Karen Bass, MSW, and the Honorable Susan Davis, MSW. Professional social workers who serve and have served in the California State Legislature include the Honorable Mary Salas, BSW, the Honorable Patty Berg, B.A. in social work, the Honorable Mariko Yamada, MSW, and the current Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Honorable Tony Thurmond, MSW; and

WHEREAS, Professional social workers who have combined their leadership skills and knowledge of community development into distinguished positions include Arturo Rodriguez, MSW, former President of the United Farmworkers Organization, Terrence Roberts, MSW, PhD, original member of the Little Rock Nine and former Assistant Dean in the UCLA School of Social Welfare, and Caitlin Ryan, LCSW, Director of the Family Acceptance Project; now, therefore, be it