HCAI Issues $59.4 Million in State Budget Under Social Work Education Capacity

NASW-CA would like to congratulate the colleges and universities who have been chosen to receive a grant from the newly created Social Work Education Capacity Expansion Grant program. Last year, NASW-CA worked in coalition with the County Welfare Directors Association (CWDA), the California Association of Deans & Directors (CADD), and SEIU to include $60 million over two years in the State Budget to expand capacity in schools of social work. The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) has just announced the schools who are receiving the first set of grants.

“The inclusion of this money in the State Budget reflects the recognition of the social work profession by the State Legislature and the Governor and the need for more social work graduates to serve the public across many different systems,” stated Rebecca Gonzales, Director of Government Relations and Political Affairs for NASW-CA. This expansive grant will allow schools to increase slots in both BSW and MSW programs which will allow more qualified students to enter the profession.