,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #aecb ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,march #e1 #bjai,ms4 ,lee of ,california 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,kuster of ,new ,hampshire1 ,ms4 ,norton1 ,ms4 ,brownley of ,california1 ,mrs4 ,dingell1 ,mr4 ,bishop of ,georgia1 ,ms4 ,plaskett1 ,mr4 ,yarmuth1 ,miss ,rice of ,new ,york1 ,ms4 ,clarke of ,new ,york1 ,mr4 ,evans1 ,mr4 ,soto1 and ,mr4 ,lewis7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and ,labor ,a ,,bill ,to establish the ,social ,work ,reinvestment ,commission to provide independent counsel to ,congress and the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services on policy issues related to recruitment1 retention1 research1 and reinvestment in the profession of social work1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,dorothy ,i4 ,height and ,whitney ,m4 ,young1 ,jr41 ,social ,work ,reinvestment ,act4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,findings4 ,sec4 #c4 ,definitions4 ,title ,i--,social ,work ,reinvestment ,commission ,sec4 #aja4 ,establishment4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,members4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,duties4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,powers4 ,sec4 #aje4 ,compensation4 ,sec4 #ajf4 ,termination4 ,title ,,ii--,reinvestment ,grant ,programs ,to ,support ,social ,work ,profession ,sec4 #bja4 ,workplace improvement grants4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,research grants4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,education and training grants4 ,sec4 #bjd4 ,community-based programs of excellence grants4 ,sec4 #bje4 ,national coordinating center4 ,sec4 #bjf4 ,multimedia outreach campaign4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,although the ,united ,states poverty rate has had a slight decline to #ab4c percent in #bjag1 poverty remains a social issue for our ,nation1 especially for communities of color and women and children who continue to experience higher than average poverty rates4 ,homeowners and those seeking to become homeowners continue to face challenges with high mortgage delinquency1 mortgage loan interest rates1 and threats of foreclosure4 ,joblessness and economic insecurity contribute to the incidence of mental illness1 family violence1 suicide1 substance abuse1 crime1 and diminished capacity for health1 family1 and community functioning4 7#b7 ,social workers form society's social safety net4 ,social workers provide assistance1 guidance1 and resources to individuals1 families1 and communities in poverty4 ,additionally1 they understand the devastating costs and consequences of poverty and unemployment on our society and provide direct services in order to prevent and abate economic inequality4 7#c7 ,the ,bureau of ,labor ,statistics projects that the social work profession will grow at an above-average rate through the year #bjbf1 with a #af-percent growth rate overall and a #bj-percent projected growth rate for health care social workers4 ,this increase is faster than the #g-percent average for all occupations1 demonstrating a substantial need for social workers in our ,nation4 7#d7 ,social work salaries1 on average1 are among the lowest for all occupations in the ,united ,states and for those with master's level education in particular4 ,according to the ,bureau of ,labor ,statistics1 the median annual income for social workers in #bjag was #dg1ihj4 7#e7 ,the report titled #bjag ,statistics on ,social ,work ,education in the ,united ,states by the ,council on ,social ,work ,education stated that #gg4g percent of students graduating from ,master of ,social ,work programs incurred debt to earn their graduate degree4 ,the average debt for a ,master of ,social ,work degree was approximately #dd1bif4 7#f7 ,social workers often deal with the most vulnerable clients in emotional or traumatic situations1 and face possible danger as a result4 ,the ,national ,association of ,social ,workers ,center for ,workforce ,studies found that #dd percent of survey respondents faced personal safety issues on the job4 ,in #bjae1 the ,occupational ,safety and ,health ,administration reported that #ge percent of workplace assaults that occurred between #bjaa and #bjac took place in the health care and social services industries4 7#g7 ,the ,alzheimer's ,association of ,america states that #e4g million ,americans1 or #a in every #aj individuals over the age of #fe1 have ,alzheimer's disease4 ,social workers in gerontology settings work with older adults1 including those with dementia1 to support their physiological1 psychological1 and social needs through mental health therapy1 caregiver and family counseling1 health education1 program coordination1 and case management4 7#h7 ,the ,children's ,defense ,fund states that every #dg seconds a child is confirmed as abused or neglected and every #ea_/b hours a child is killed from abuse or neglect4 ,the ,administration for ,children and ,families of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services states that #dcg1ejj children were in the ,united ,states foster care system at the end of fiscal year #bjaf4 ,most children placed in foster care are placed due to parental abuse or neglect4 ,research shows that professional social workers employed in child welfare agencies are more likely to find permanent homes for children who have been in foster care for #b or more years4 ,unfortunately1 less than #dj percent of child welfare workers are professional social workers4 7#i7 ,the ,substance ,abuse and ,mental ,health ,services ,administration of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services estimates that #df4f million individuals 7nearly #a in #e or #ah4i percent7 in the ,united ,states age #ah or older experienced a diagnosable mental illness in #bjag4 ,additionally1 at least #c million 7#a in #aj or #ac4c percent7 youth between the ages of #ab and #ag experienced at least one major depressive episode in the past year4 ,social workers provide the majority of mental health counseling services in the ,united ,states1 and are often the only providers of such services in rural areas4 7#aj7 ,social workers working with veterans and their families provide services that include case management1 crisis interventions1 mental health interventions1 housing and financial counseling1 high-risk screening1 and advocacy4 ,the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 which is the largest employer of social workers in the ,nation1 employs over #ab1jjj social workers who are available to serve an estimated #bj4d million veterans in the ,united ,states4 ,a once-declining veteran population is now surging and is in dire need of mental health treatment to address issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder1 depression1 drug and alcohol addiction1 and suicidal tendencies4 7#aa7 ,the ,american ,cancer ,society estimated that there would be #a1gce1cej new cases of cancer and #fji1fdj cancer deaths1 or #a1fgj deaths a day1 in #bjah alone4 ,the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention report that there are over #a1ajj1jjj people living with ,,hiv in the ,united ,states1 with approximately #ch1ejj new cases diagnosed in #bjae4 ,in #bjag1 #a1dcj1jjj to #a1gjj1jjj people received care from the ,nation's hospice providers4 ,health care and medical social workers practice in areas related to all of these circumstances and provide outreach for prevention and health promotion1 help individuals and their families adapt to their health conditions1 connect patients and family caregivers with community services and supports1 provide grief counseling1 and act as a liaison between individuals and their medical team1 helping patients make informed decisions about their care4 7#ab7 ,the ,children's ,defense ,fund notes that every #b seconds a public school student is suspended and that every #i seconds a high school student drops out4 ,the ,national ,center for ,education ,statistics states that in #bjaf the national dropout rate for high school students was #f4a percent4 ,some vulnerable communities have dropout rates of #ej percent or higher4 ,social workers in school settings help students avoid dropping out through early identification1 prevention1 intervention1 counseling1 and support services4 7#ac7 ,according to the ,department of ,justice1 every year more than #fej1jjj ex-offenders are released from ,federal and ,state prisons4 ,social workers employed in the correctional system address disproportionate minority incarceration rates1 provide treatment for mental health problems and drug and alcohol addiction1 and work within1 as well as outside of1 prisons to reduce recidivism and increase positive community reentry4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,clinical social worker ,the term clinical social worker has the meaning given the term in section #ahfa7;hh77#a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aciex7hh77#a774 7#b7 ,community-based program ,the term community-based program means an agency1 organization1 or other entity carrying out a program that provides direct social work services or community development services at a neighborhood1 local1 or regional level1 to address human service1 health care1 or psychosocial needs4 7#c7 ,high need and high demand population ,the term high need and high demand population means a group of individuals that lacks sufficient resources and1 as a result1 has a greater probability of being harmed by specific social1 environmental1 or health problems than the population as a whole4 ,such term includes a group of individuals residing in an area designated by the ,health ,resources and ,services ,administration as a health professional shortage area due to a shortage of primary medical care1 dental1 or mental health providers4 7#d7 ,historically black college or university ,the term historically black college or university has the meaning given the term part ,b institution in section #cbb7b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfa7b774 7#e7 ,minority-serving institution ,the term minority-serving institution means an institution of higher education that serves a large percentage of minority students1 as determined by the ,secretary of ,education1 including the following3 7,a7 ,alaska ,native-serving institutions1 as defined in section #cag7;b77#b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;d7b77#b774 7,b7 ,native ,hawaiian-serving institutions1 as defined in section #cag7;b77#d7 of such ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;d7b77#d774 7,c7 ,asian ,american and ,native ,american ,pacific ,islander-serving institutions1 as defined in section #cbj7;b77#b7 of such ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;g7b77#b774 7,d7 ,hispanic-serving institutions1 as defined in section #ejb7;a77#e7 of such ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;a77#e774 7,e7 ,tribal ,colleges and ,universities1 as defined in section #caf7;b77#c7 of such ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c7b77#c774 7,f7 ,native ,american-serving1 nontribal institutions1 as defined in section #cai7;b77#b7 of such ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;f7b77#b774 7,g7 ,predominantly ,black ,institutions1 as defined in section #cah7;b77#f7 of such ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;e7b77#f774 7,h7 ,historically black colleges or universities4 7#f7 ,program of excellence ,the term program of excellence means a program of distinction in a field related to human service1 hosted by a public or private agency1 that has received ,state or national recognition or another clearly defined indicator appropriate to the mission of the program1 has clearly defined and measurable goals and objectives1 regularly assesses outcomes1 and can provide evidence of a strong assessment plan that utilizes assessment data to improve the program4 7#g7 ,related professional researcher ,the term related professional researcher means a doctoral level researcher or any other individual who is professionally engaged in research in a social1 political1 economic1 health1 or mental health field other than social work for an entity such as a university1 government entity1 research institute1 or community agency4 7#h7 ,school of social work ,the term school of social work means a school that is accredited by the ,council on ,social ,work ,education 7the sole accrediting agency recognized by the ,council for ,higher ,education ,accreditation for social work education in the ,united ,states7 within an institution of higher education1 that offers baccalaureate1 master's1 or doctoral degrees in social work4 7#i7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 7#aj7 ,social work ,the term social work means-- 7,a7 the professional activity of helping individuals1 groups1 or communities enhance or restore capacity for social and psychosocial functioning and creating societal conditions favorable to such enhancement or restoration2 7,b7 the professional application of values1 principles1 and techniques related to the activity described in subparagraph 7,a71 including-- 7i7 diagnosing mental and emotional disorders and treating individuals1 families1 or groups for such disorders2 7ii7 helping communities or groups provide or improve social and health services and participating in relevant legislative processes to achieve such goals2 and 7iii7 helping individuals1 families1 or groups obtain tangible services1 including personal1 protective1 informational1 advisory1 community1 or maintenance services in order to improve the overall well-being of individuals2 and 7,c7 a professional activity that requires knowledge of human development1 the behavior of social1 economic1 and cultural institutions1 and the interaction between such development and behavior4 7#aa7 ,social work researcher ,the term social work researcher means a faculty member of an institution of higher education1 doctoral level researcher1 or any other individual who is professionally engaged in the study of social work for an entity such as a university1 government entity1 research institute1 or community agency at an individual1 family1 group1 community1 organizational1 or policy level1 focusing across the human life span on prevention1 treatment1 and aftercare of1 intervention in1 and rehabilitation from1 acute and chronic social and psychosocial conditions1 including the study of the effect of policies on social work practice4 7#ab7 ,social worker ,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 ,i ,social ,work ,reinvestment ,commission #aja4 ,establishment ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish the ,social ,work ,reinvestment ,commission 7referred to in this title as the ,commission7 to provide independent counsel to ,congress and the ,secretary on policy issues related to recruitment1 retention1 research1 and reinvestment in the profession of social work4 #ajb4 ,members 7a7 ,appointment by ,secretary ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall appoint members to the ,commission4 ,the members shall include-- 7#a7 #b deans of schools of social work2 7#b7 #a social work researcher2 7#c7 #a related professional researcher2 7#d7 #a ,governor of a ,state2 7#e7 #b leaders of national social work organizations2 7#f7 #a senior ,state government employee who is not an elected official who has a baccalaureate1 master's1 or doctoral degree in social work2 7#g7 #a related senior ,state government employee who is not an elected official2 7#h7 #b directors of community-based organizations or nonprofit organizations that provide human services2 7#i7 #a labor economist2 7#aj7 #a social work consumer2 and 7#aa7 #a licensed clinical social worker4 7b7 ,appointment by other officers ,four additional members shall be appointed to the ,commission1 with #a member appointed by each of the following officers3 7#a7 ,the ,speaker of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,the minority leader of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#c7 ,the majority leader of the ,senate4 7#d7 ,the minority leader of the ,senate4 7c7 ,organizational representation ,to the extent practicable1 members of the ,commission shall be appointed-- 7#a7 in a manner that ensures participation of individuals of different racial1 ethnic1 cultural1 geographic1 religious1 linguistic1 and class backgrounds and of different genders and sexual orientations2 and 7#b7 from among individuals who demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concerns of the groups described in paragraph 7#a74 7d7 ,selection of ,chairperson and ,vice ,chairperson ,the ,secretary shall appoint a ,chairperson and ,vice ,chairperson for the ,commission from among the members of the ,commission4 7e7 ,period of ,appointment2 vacancies ,members shall be appointed for the life of the ,commission4 ,any vacancy in the ,commission shall not affect the powers of the ,commission and shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment not later than #fj days after the date of vacancy4 7f7 ,schedule of meetings ,the ,commission shall hold its first meeting not later than #f weeks after the date on which the final member of the ,commission is appointed1 and subsequent meetings shall be held at the call of the ,chairperson4 #ajc4 ,duties 7a7 ,study ,the ,commission shall conduct a comprehensive study to examine and assess-- 7#a7 the professional capacity of the social work workforce to successfully serve and respond to the increasing biopsychosocial needs of individuals1 groups1 and communities in areas related to-- 7,a7 aging2 7,b7 child welfare2 7,c7 military and veterans affairs2 7,d7 mental and behavioral health and disability2 7,e7 criminal justice and correctional systems2 7,f7 health and other issues affecting women and families2 and 7,g7 other topics identified by the ,commission2 7#b7 workforce challenges facing the profession of social work1 including high educational debt1 lack of fair market compensation1 the need to translate social work research to practice1 the need to improve social worker safety1 the need to develop ,state-level social work licensure policies and reciprocity agreements for social workers providing services across ,state lines1 the lack of diversity in the social work profession1 and any other issue determined by the ,secretary to be appropriate2 7#c7 the effect of such challenges on the recruitment and retention of social workers2 7#d7 the effect of such challenges and of social worker shortages on the needs of clients served by social workers2 and 7#e7 the advisability of establishing in the ,treasury a social work enhancement account to provide direct grant assistance to local governments to encourage the engagement of social workers in social service programs4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #ah months after the date of its first meeting1 the ,commission shall submit a report to the ,secretary and to ,congress containing specific findings and conclusions regarding the need to recruit and retain social workers1 to conduct research on the social work profession1 and to reinvest in the profession4 ,the report shall include recommendations and strategies for corrective actions to ensure a robust social work workforce capable of keeping up with the demand for services4 ,the ,commission may provide to the ,secretary and to ,congress any additional findings or recommendations considered by the ,commission to be important4 #ajd4 ,powers 7a7 ,powers ,in carrying out the duties of the ,commission1 the ,commission shall have the power to-- 7#a7 hold hearings1 take testimony1 receive evidence1 administer oaths1 and sit and act at such times and places as the ,commission considers advisable2 7#b7 enter into contracts2 and 7#c7 consult1 to the extent that the ,commission determines that such consultation is necessary or useful1 with ,federal agencies that include-- 7,a7 agencies within the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 including the ,administration for ,children and ,families1 the ,administration on ,aging1 the ,agency for ,healthcare ,research and ,quality1 the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 the ,centers for ,medicare ,medicaid ,services1 the ,health ,resources and ,service ,administration1 the ,indian ,health ,service1 the ,national ,institutes of ,health1 and the ,substance ,abuse and ,mental ,health ,services ,administration2 7,b7 the ,social ,security ,administration2 and 7,c7 the ,departments of ,agriculture1 ,defense1 ,education1 ,homeland ,security1 ,labor1 ,justice1 ,state1 and ,veterans ,affairs4 7b7 ,cooperation with ,commission ,the agencies described in subsection 7a77#c7 shall cooperate with1 and provide counsel to1 the ,commission to the greatest extent practicable4 #aje4 ,compensation 7a7 ,travel expenses ,the members of the ,commission shall not receive compensation for the performance of services for the ,commission1 but shall be provided travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 at rates authorized for employees of ,federal agencies under subchapter #a of chapter #eg of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the ,commission4 7b7 ,voluntary and uncompensated services ,notwithstanding section #acdb of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 the ,secretary may accept the voluntary and uncompensated services of members of the ,commission4 7c7 ,detail of government employees ,any ,federal ,government employee may be detailed to the ,commission without reimbursement1 and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege4 #ajf4 ,termination ,the ,commission shall terminate #cj days after the date on which the ,commission submits the report under section #ajc7;b74 ,,ii ,reinvestment ,grant ,programs ,to ,support ,social ,work ,profession #bja4 ,workplace improvement grants 7a7 ,grants authorized ,the ,secretary shall award grants to #d eligible entities described in subsection 7d7 to assist the entities in carrying out a workplace improvement program to address concerns for the social work profession1 including caseloads1 compensation1 social worker safety1 supervision1 and working conditions4 7b7 ,equal amounts ,the ,secretary shall award to each of the #d grant recipients under this section #a1jjj1jjj per fiscal year for #d consecutive fiscal years beginning with the first fiscal year that begins after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7c7 ,grants to ,state or local governments ,at least #b of the grant recipients under this section shall be agencies of ,state or local governments4 7d7 ,eligibility requirements ,an entity eligible for a grant under this section shall-- 7#a7 work in a social work capacity2 7#b7 demonstrate that the entity needs to improve in one or more of the workplace concern areas described in subsection 7a72 7#c7 provide services to individuals of different racial1 ethnic1 cultural1 geographic1 religious1 linguistic1 and class backgrounds1 and different genders and sexual orientations2 7#d7 demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concerns of the groups described in paragraph 7#c72 and 7#e7 employ individuals who represent themselves as competent to provide social work services only within the boundaries of their education1 training1 licenses1 certification1 professional case consultation1 supervised experience1 or other relevant professional experience4 7e7 ,priority ,in selecting grant recipients under this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to eligible entities-- 7#a7 that have proven to be fiscally responsible1 administratively capable1 and otherwise equipped to oversee and monitor a workplace improvement program under this section1 including through a labor-management partnership2 7#b7 that are knowledgeable about relevant social work workforce trends2 and 7#c7 that have not less than #b years of experience relevant to the workplace improvement program4 7f7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated #af1jjj1jjj to the ,secretary to award grants under this section4 #bjb4 ,research grants 7a7 ,grants authorized ,the ,secretary shall award grants to #be social workers who hold a doctoral degree in social work for postdoctoral research in social work-- 7#a7 to further the knowledge base about effective social work interventions2 and 7#b7 to promote usable strategies to translate research into practice across diverse community settings and service systems4 7b7 ,equal amounts ,the ,secretary shall award to each of the #be grant recipients under this section #ej1jjj per fiscal year for #d consecutive fiscal years beginning with the first fiscal year that begins after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7c7 ,eligibility requirements ,to be eligible for a grant under this section1 a social worker shall-- 7#a7 demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concerns of individuals from different racial1 ethnic1 cultural1 geographic1 religious1 linguistic1 and class backgrounds1 and different genders and sexual orientations2 and 7#b7 represent themselves as competent to provide social work services only within the boundaries of their education1 training1 licenses1 certification1 professional case consultation1 supervised experience1 or other relevant professional experience4 7d7 ,minority representation ,not less than #aj of the grant recipients under this section shall be employed by a historically black college or university or minority-serving institution4 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated #e1jjj1jjj to the ,secretary to award grants under this section4 #bjc4 ,education and training grants 7a7 ,grants authorized ,the ,secretary shall award grants to #bj eligible institutions of higher education to support the recruitment and education of social work students in baccalaureate1 master's1 and doctoral degree programs and the professional development of social work faculty4 7b7 ,equal amounts ,the ,secretary shall award to each of the #bj grant recipients under this section #bjj1jjj per fiscal year for #d consecutive fiscal years beginning with the first fiscal year that begins after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7c7 ,eligibility requirements ,to be eligible for a grant under this section1 an institution shall demonstrate that-- 7#a7 the institution enrolls social work students from different racial1 ethnic1 cultural1 geographic1 religious1 linguistic1 and class backgrounds1 and different genders and sexual orientations2 and 7#b7 the institution has knowledge and understanding of the concerns of the groups described in paragraph 7#a74 7d7 ,institutional requirement ,not less than #d of the grant recipients under this section shall be historically black colleges or universities or other minority-serving institutions4 7e7 ,priority ,in selecting grant recipients under this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to institutions of higher education-- 7#a7 that are accredited by the ,council on ,social ,work ,education2 7#b7 that have a graduation rate of not less than #hj percent for social work students2 and 7#c7 that exhibit an ability to recruit social workers from1 and place social workers in1 areas with a high need and high demand population4 7f7 ,authorization of ,appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated #af1jjj1jjj to the ,secretary to award grants under this section4 #bjd4 ,community-based programs of excellence grants 7a7 ,grants authorized ,the ,secretary shall award grants to #f eligible covered entities to test and replicate effective social work interventions4 7b7 ,covered entity ,for purposes of this section1 the term covered entity means-- 7#a7 a ,state or local government or a department1 agency1 special-purpose district1 or other instrumentality of a ,state or local government1 that is carrying out a community-based program of excellence2 or 7#b7 a nonprofit organization that is carrying out a program of excellence4 7c7 ,equal amounts ,the ,secretary shall award to each of the #f grant recipients under this section #ejj1jjj per fiscal year for #c consecutive fiscal years beginning with the first fiscal year that begins after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7d7 ,eligibility requirements ,to be eligible for a grant under this section1 a covered entity shall-- 7#a7 carry out programs in the areas of aging1 child welfare1 military and veterans issues1 mental and behavioral health and disability1 criminal justice and correction systems1 and health and other issues affecting women and families2 7#b7 provide services to individuals of different racial1 ethnic1 cultural1 geographic1 religious1 linguistic1 and class backgrounds1 and different genders and sexual orientations2 7#c7 demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concerns of the groups described in paragraph 7#b72 7#d7 demonstrate a record of active participation of social workers in the programs of the entity2 and 7#e7 employ individuals who represent themselves as competent to provide social work services only within the boundaries of their education1 training1 licenses1 certification1 professional case consultation1 supervised experience1 or other relevant professional experience4 7e7 ,priority ,in selecting the grant recipients under this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to eligible covered entities-- 7#a7 that have demonstrated successful and measurable outcomes that the ,secretary considers worthy of replication1 including labor-management partnerships that have improved retention of social workers2 7#b7 that have been in operation for at least #b years2 and 7#c7 that work with high need and high demand populations4 7f7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated #i1jjj1jjj to the ,secretary to award grants under this section4 #bje4 ,national coordinating center 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall enter into a contract with a national social work entity such as the ,national ,association of ,social ,workers or the ,council on ,social ,work ,education4 ,such entity shall-- 7#a7 have experience in coordinating the transfer of information and ideas among entities engaged in social work research1 practice1 education1 and policymaking2 and 7#b7 maintain relationships with ,federal entities1 social work degree-granting institutions of higher education1 departments of social work within such institutions1 and organizations and agencies that employ social workers4 7b7 ,general duties ,the entity with which the ,secretary enters into a contract under subsection 7a7 7referred to in this section as the coordinating center7 shall organize1 collect1 and report to the ,secretary and to ,congress data and information related to the social work profession1 serve as a clearinghouse1 and coordinate activities with the entities1 institutions1 departments1 organizations1 and agencies described in subsection 7a77#b74 7c7 ,collaboration ,the coordinating center shall work with institutions of higher education1 research entities1 and organizations with social work practice settings1 including government entities1 military departments1 elementary and secondary schools1 social services agencies1 private practices1 inpatient and outpatient mental health service providers1 child welfare agencies1 correctional facilities1 and nursing homes1 to identify key research areas1 establish research fellowships1 and organize appropriate mentorship and professional development efforts4 7d7 ,specific activities of the coordinating center ,the coordinating center shall-- 7#a7 engage in activities to build on the efforts of the ,national ,association of ,social ,workers ,national ,center for ,workforce ,studies2 7#b7 collect1 coordinate1 monitor1 and distribute data and information on best practices and findings regarding the activities funded by grants awarded under sections #bja through #bjd2 7#c7 prepare and submit to the ,secretary a report that includes recommendations regarding the need to recruit new social workers1 retain current social workers1 conduct social work research1 and reinvest in the profession of social work2 7#d7 demonstrate cultural competency and promote the participation of diverse groups2 and 7#e7 in collaboration with the ,secretary1 select research topics to further the goals of this section1 establish new research fellowships to conduct such research1 and identify and appoint qualified individuals to such fellowship positions from among individuals who hold master's or doctoral degrees in social work or are enrolled in master's or doctoral degree programs at schools of social work4 7e7 ,powers of ,secretary ,the ,secretary may conduct and authorize such other activities as the ,secretary considers appropriate to carry out this section4 7f7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated #a1jjj1jjj to carry out this section for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 #bjf4 ,multimedia outreach campaign 7a7 ,development and issuance of public service announcements ,the ,secretary shall develop and issue public service announcements that advertise and promote the social work profession1 highlight the advantages and rewards of social work1 and encourage individuals to enter the social work profession4 7b7 ,method ,the public service announcements described in subsection 7a7 shall be broadcast through appropriate media outlets1 including television or radio1 in a manner intended to reach as wide and diverse of an audience as possible4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4