Villa Highlights National Social Work Month, Continues Support for Illinois Social Workers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To highlight National Social Work Month and her efforts to support social workers throughout the state, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, recently passed legislation to expedite the licensure process to help qualified social workers enter the workforce.

“I know firsthand from my experience as a school social worker how important it is for children to have access to counseling and other mental health resources. For some kids just having someone to talk to makes all the difference,” said Villa. “While social work is often a thankless job, it is tremendously rewarding and important, as we focus on the wellness of individuals, families and communities.”

As a former school social worker and advocate for mental health, quality access to education and improved workforce safety, Villa passed Senate Bill 1888, a measure to provide social work graduate students the opportunity to sit for the authorized examination for licensed social workers during the final semester of their program. Villa’s law expedites the licensure process to help qualified social workers
enter the field quicker.

“Illinois is currently facing a shortage of licensed social workers, which is causing issues for important organizations like DCFS that work to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children,” continued Villa. “This new law streamlines the social worker licensure process to ensure that qualified social workers can enter the workforce as soon as possible to do the important job they have been trained to do.”