Legislative Update

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October 2025

The School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) continues to champion the voice of school social workers and the students we serve. This fall has marked one of our most active and impactful advocacy seasons yet—with SSWAA leading efforts on Capitol Hill, gathering member data to strengthen our policy priorities, joining national coalitions to elevate awareness, and taking a firm stand against actions that jeopardize federal protections for students with disabilities.

SSWAA on The Hill: Amplifying the Impact of School Social Work

In September, members of the SSWAA Legislative Team gathered in Washington, D.C., for a quarterly Hill Day. Executive Director Rebecca Oliver and University Representative Rob Lucio met with legislators and staff to discuss critical issues impacting schools—chief among them, the growing student mental health crisis and the urgent need for adequate staffing and funding for school-based mental health professionals.

Rebecca and Rob shared stories from our members about rising caseloads, the need for equitable access to services, and the essential role school social workers play in promoting student success and well-being. Conversations with key Congressional offices underscored bipartisan recognition of the challenges facing schools, but also the need for continued advocacy to ensure sustained investment in school mental health infrastructure.

It is important to note that some legislative offices chose not to meet with SSWAA because we did not have a constituent present for the meetings. This highlights the limited advocacy efforts SSWAA has when we visit the Capitol alone. We rely on you, our members and not-yet-members, to also be calling and writing to your representatives. Together, we make a stronger impact.

What Our Members Are Saying: 2025 State of Education Survey

SSWAA’s State of School Social Work Survey (Fall 2025) captured the voices of more than 300 school social workers representing 40 states. The results paint a sobering picture of the pressures facing the profession:

35% of respondents reported school social work position cuts in their state, leading to larger caseloads or reduced access to mental health supports for students.
42% noted state-level reductions in mental health funding, and 31% said their districts have already experienced cuts.
Only 10% of respondents believe their state has sufficient mental health resources to meet student needs.
Nearly half of the participants (44%) reported considering leaving the profession due to unsustainable workloads and funding challenges.

These findings reinforce what school social workers know firsthand—students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs are growing, while resources to meet those needs are shrinking. SSWAA is using this data to inform our federal and state advocacy, ensuring that policymakers understand the consequences of inaction and the importance of investing in a robust, sustainable school social work workforce. To view the infographic, click here.

National Awareness Campaign: A Collective Voice for Change

In partnership with national and state associations, SSWAA co-led a Sign-On Letter for a National Awareness Campaign highlighting the essential role of school social workers in today’s schools.

The letter—signed by organizations including the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the School-Based Health Alliance, and more than 25 state and national partners—calls for:

Accurate representation of school social workers in mental health conversations.
Policy and funding initiatives that expand access to school social work services.
Increased school social work positions to ensure safe, supportive school environments.

As the letter affirms, “School social workers are not a luxury—they are a lifeline.” This collaborative statement is part of SSWAA’s ongoing effort to build public and policymaker understanding of our profession’s impact and to ensure that school social workers are represented wherever decisions about student mental health are being made. To view the sign-on letter, click here.

Joint Statement on Department of Education RIFs

SSWAA joined a broad coalition of disability, civil rights, and education organizations condemning the recent layoffs within the U.S. Department of Education—cuts that have gutted the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), and other critical offices.

In the coalition’s joint statement, organizations warned that these layoffs threaten decades of progress protecting students’ rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and related federal laws. Without adequate federal oversight, the ability of states and schools to ensure a free and appropriate public education for all students is severely compromised.

“This year marks the 50th anniversary of IDEA—a time we should be celebrating progress, not dismantling it,” the statement reads. “Strong federal leadership is not optional—it’s a moral and legal obligation for our nation’s children with disabilities.”

SSWAA remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold these principles and to ensure that all students—particularly those with disabilities—receive the supports and protections they are guaranteed under law. Click here to view the letter.

Take Action: How You Can Make a Difference

Advocacy doesn’t end in Washington—it begins with you. Every school social worker has a voice, and when we unite, we can influence real change. Here’s how you can take action today:

Contact Your Members of Congress
- Call or email your U.S. Senators and Representatives to share your concerns about the Department of Education cuts and the urgent need to protect special education funding and oversight.
- Ask them to support policies that strengthen the school-based mental health workforce and expand access to school social work services.
- For easy-to-use tools and scripts, check out our Awareness Campaign.
Share Your Story
- Use your professional experience to educate policymakers and your community about the challenges and successes you see every day in schools.
- Tag @SSWAA on social media and use hashtags like #SchoolSocialWork, #UniteToIgnite, and #StudentsFirst to raise awareness.
Join SSWAA or Renew Your Membership
- Membership strengthens our national voice. By joining or renewing your membership, you help SSWAA continue its advocacy work, provide resources for practitioners, and ensure school social workers are represented at every level of policy.
- Join or Renew Today at sswaa.org/join

Looking Ahead

From Capitol Hill to classrooms nationwide, SSWAA continues to unite the profession and ignite meaningful change.

Together, we unite to ignite change—and to celebrate our ongoing impact.