,i #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #adhd ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,march #i1 #bjag,ms4 ,sinema 7for herself and ,ms4 ,stefanik7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and the ,workforce ,a ,,bill ,to authorize the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services to award grants to ,states to provide safety measures to social workers and other similar professionals who work with at-risk populations1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,social ,worker ,safety ,act of #bjag4 #b4 ,social worker safety grant program 7a7 ,grants authorized ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services may award grants to ,states to provide safety measures to social workers and other similar professionals 7as designated by the ,secretary7 working with violent1 illicit drug-using1 or other at-risk populations4 7b7 ,use of funds ,grants awarded pursuant to subsection 7a7 may be used to provide or support the following safety measures3 7#a7 7,a7 ,the procurement and installation of safety equipment1 including communications or recording systems1 such as cell phones1 wearable tracking devices with ,,gps_/,bluetooth locator1 or panic buttons used for supervised foster care visits and other client visits to assist agencies in locating staff4 7,b7 ,technical assistance and training for safety communications4 7#b7 ,training sessions and exercises for self-defense and crisis1 together with such organizations as local law enforcement4 7#c7 ,facility safety improvements4 7#d7 ,training in cultural competency1 including linguistic training1 and training on strategies for de-escalating a situation that could turn volatile4 7#e7 ,training to help work with clients who-- 7,a7 have serious mental and substance use disorders2 or 7,b7 have behavioral problems and need help coping4 7#f7 ,educational resources and materials to train staff on safety and awareness measures4 7#g7 ,support services1 counseling1 and additional resources for social workers who have experienced safety issues or trauma-related incidents in the workplace4 7#h7 ,installation of a local data incident tracking system to monitor1 prevent1 and mitigate future offenses against social workers4 7#i7 ,other policy developments and implementation activities determined by the ,secretary for social work safety training1 resources1 and support4 7c7 ,application 7#a7 ,in general ,a ,state seeking a grant under subsection 7a7 shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and accompanied by such additional information as the ,secretary may require4 7#b7 ,contents ,each application submitted pursuant to paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 describe the type of agencies that will receive funding through the grant and type of work to be done by such agencies2 7,b7 describe the specific activities for which the grant is sought and include a program budget2 and 7,c7 contain an assurance that the applicant will evaluate the effectiveness of the safety measures provided through the grant4 7d7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall give priority to applicants that-- 7#a7 demonstrate the greatest need based on documented incidents2 and 7#b7 seek to provide assistance to multiple agencies4 7e7 ,quality assurance and cost effectiveness ,the ,secretary shall establish guidelines for ensuring the quality and cost effectiveness of the safety measures funded under this section4 7f7 ,technical assistance ,the ,secretary may provide technical assistance to recipients of a grant under this section with respect to planning1 developing1 implementing1 and sustaining safety measures through the grant4 7g7 ,report requirement ,states receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the ,secretary1 not later than #b years after such receipt1 a report that includes-- 7#a7 an assessment of the activities funded in whole or in part with the grant2 7#b7 the range and scope of training opportunities provided through training programs funded in whole or in part through a grant under this section1 including the numbers and percentages of social workers engaged in such training programs2 and 7#c7 the incidence of threats to social workers1 if any1 and the strategies used to address their safety4 7h7 ,non-,federal share ,with respect to the costs of safety measures to be provided pursuant to a grant under subsection 7a71 the ,state receiving the grant shall agree to make available 7directly or through donations from public or private entities7 non-,federal contributions toward such costs in an amount that is #a for each #a of ,federal funds awarded through the grant4 7i7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 7#b7 ,the term social work means-- 7,a7 the professional activity of helping individuals1 groups1 or communities to enhance or restore capacity for social and psychosocial functioning1 and to create societal conditions favorable to such enhancement or restoration2 and 7,b7 the professional application of values1 principles1 and techniques related to the activities described in subparagraph 7,a71 including-- 7i7 diagnosing mental and emotional disorders and treating individuals1 families1 or groups for such disorders2 and 7ii7 helping individuals1 families1 or groups to obtain tangible services1 including personal1 protective1 informational1 advisory1 community1 or maintenance services in order to improve the overall well-being of individuals4 7#c7 ,the term social worker means an individual with a baccalaureate1 master's1 or doctoral degree in social work from an institution of higher education who uses knowledge and skills to provide social work services for individuals1 families1 groups1 communities1 organizations1 or society in general4 7j7 ,authorization of appropriations ,to carry out this section1 there is authorized to be appropriated #e1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjah through #bjbb4