STATEHOUSE (Jan. 24, 2024) – State Rep. Lori Goss-Reaves (R-Marion) recently filed legislation to help address the state's social work shortage by allowing qualifying graduate students to sit for their licensure exam during the final semester of their Masters in Social Work program (MSW).
According to a study from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, 1 in 4 Hoosiers suffering from mental health issues are not receiving the treatment they need. Goss-Reaves, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and mental health provider, desires to increase access to mental health care in Indiana. Part of the solution is decreasing the time it takes to complete the licensing process.
"The shortage of mental health providers is a continuing problem in our state. I have seen this firsthand during my career as a licensed clinical social worker," Goss-Reaves said. "Getting more qualified social workers into Hoosier communities at a quicker pace will help fill a need for those struggling."
Currently, graduates of accredited social work programs submit their application for a license to the state's Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board. Upon receipt of official transcripts showing a conferred diploma and meeting all other requirements the application is approved and the applicant can sit for their licensing exam. If Goss-Reaves' bill is enacted, social work students in their final semester would be able to submit all required documents with a letter of good standing in place of transcripts, and, if approved, would be able to take the exam during the last term of their MSW program. This change would decrease the amount of time it takes to become licensed.
House Bill 1138 is assigned to the House Committee on Employment, Labor and Pensions. For more information, or to watch the sessions and committees live, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Lori Goss-Reaves (R-Marion) represents House District 31,
which includes portions of Grant and Madison counties.
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