Missouri Is the First State to Enact the Social Work Compact
NASW-MO is excited to report that the Social Work Compact was passed by the General Assembly on both SB 157 and SB 70. These were signed by Governor Mike Parson on July 6th, 2023. They received a ceremonial signing on August 28th, 2023 in the Governor’s Office. This is amazing progress and a testament to the advocacy of social workers!
Left to Right: Cassie E. Brown, NASW-MO Executive Director; seated Missouri Governor Mike Parson; State Representative Jeff Coleman
At the ceremonial signing, Representative Jeff Coleman noted that it was an important step towards reducing barriers for smooth interstate licensing of professional social workers. NASW-MO ED Cassie Brown was invited to the signing. Brown said, “NASW-MO was proud to be a part of this work. We are happy to be the first, but we know we are only part of the movement towards improving license portability for the social work profession.”
The Bills were sponsored by Representative Jeff Coleman (who introduced the Compact on HB 1399) and Senator Lauren Arthur (who introduced the Compact on SB 670).
NASW-MO Executive Director, Cassie E. Brown, testified in favor of the Compact during its hearing in the House Healthcare Reform Committee on April 11th. She discussed the importance of social workers to Missouri’s systems of care, on license portability, the need for access to telehealth, and Missouri’s workforce shortages. Also testifying was Matt Shafer from the Council of State Governments (the primary authors of the Compact), who testified for informational purposes (neither in support of nor in opposition to the bill). Dozens of social workers also provided written testimony in favor of the Compact after NASW-MO put out an Action Alert. The bill was then unanimously voted out of Committee.
Cassie E. Brown, NASW-MO Executive Director testifying before The Missouri State House Committee on Healthcare Reform on April 11, 2023, credit: Missouri House of Representatives
On April 20th, the Social Work Compact was heard in the Senate Governmental Accountability Committee, again with Cassie E. Brown testifying in favor. NASW-MO’s Executive Director responded to the Committee’s questions about the Compact and about social work as a profession. Also appearing in favor was Grace Nielson, a lobbyist for the Associated Students of the University of Missouri, and a social work student. Ms. Nielson testified about the positive impacts of social work in Missouri.