Senator Hune offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 20.

            A resolution proclaiming March 6-12, 2011, as School Social Work Week.

            Whereas, Children require a safe and supportive environment in which to learn the skills necessary to become productive members of society at large; and

Whereas, Children are diverse in their ethnicity, culture, ability, and needs, but they intrinsically have the ability to succeed; and

Whereas, School social workers provide assistance utilizing a framework addressing variations in development and learning, as well as influences of home, school, and community; and

Whereas, School social workers provide  consultation, collaboration, and advisement services to students, their family members, and school staff regarding students' social, emotional, and behavioral status impacting learning, development, mental health, and school success; and

Whereas, School social workers, who constitute the 825 members of the Michigan Association of School Social Workers and are among the 7,000 members of the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, are trained to provide leadership, advocacy, and collaboration to promote overall academic success. The services they provide strengthen home, school and community partnerships, and eliminate barriers to learning; and

Whereas, School social work is a specialized area of practice within the broad field of the clinical social work profession as licensed by the state of Michigan; and

Whereas, The school social worker is an essential team member who can provide leadership in the development of positive behavioral supports critical to students’ academic success; and

Whereas, The Michigan Association of School Social Workers and the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers have provided the Legislature their expertise in determining polices regarding welfare, safety, and success of students in Michigan's schools on issues that have included special education, prevention of bullying, and school violence; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That March 6-12, 2011, be hereby proclaimed as School Social Work Week in Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Association of School Social Workers and the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers as a token of our esteem.