Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research

Joan Zlotnik, Dorothy I. Heightand NASW Executive DirectorBetsy Clark at the press briefingheld by Congressman EdolphusTowns (D-NY) and ChristopherShays (R-CT) on the Dorothy I.Height/Whitney M. Young, Jr.Social Work Reinvestment Act(HR. 3447), February 27, 2008in Cannon Office Building.Bridging Research andPolicyPromoting Social WorkReinvestmentFollowing up on the 2005 Social Work CongressImperatives, the Social Work ReinvestmentInitiative, led by NASW, with IASWR asa key consultant, is a multi-year effort tofocus on legislative and other policy actionsat the federal, state and local levels to addressworkforce issues including recruitment,retention and safety of social workers acrossfields of practice. The goal of the SocialWork Reinvestment Initiative (SWRI) isto “Secure federal and state investments inprofessional social work to enhance societalwell-being.” Support for social work researchand knowledge development and the trainingof social work researchers are key aspects ofthese reinvestment efforts. IASWR providedconsultation to state chapters on SWRIplanning and worked closely at the nationallevel on shaping a national agenda.In early 2008, the Dorothy I. Height/Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social WorkReinvestment Act (H.R. 3447, S. 2858)was introduced in both houses of Congress.For more information, visitwww.socialworkreinvestment.org/.As an active participant in the NationalChild Welfare Workforce Policy Workgroup,convened by the Children’s Defense Fundand Children’s Rights, IASWR’s experience,resources, linkages and expertise helpedinform the development of policy proposals(http://www.cornerstones4kids.org/images/promoting_0207.pdf). Serving as a broker,IASWR facilitated involvement of theWorkforce Policy Workgroup leaders inpresentations to NADD and to the ChildWelfare Symposium Participants inconjunction with the CSWE APM in SanFrancisco in October 2007, linked theworkgroup with experts in the field, andresponded to requests for information fromCongressional staff.Raising the Visibility of SocialWork ResearchConnecting with New LeadersAs a transition took place in the Office ofBehavioral and Social Sciences Research(OBSSR) at NIH, IASWR met with ActingOBSSR Director Christine Bachrach andStephane Philogene, chair of the NIH SocialWork Research Working Group to discussthe accomplishments included in the NIHPlan for Social Work Research: Progress Report,issued in July 2007, and to chart next stepsrelated to showcasing social work research’scontributions to the nation’s health.8 2007 – 2008 Annual Report