Governor Proclaims School Social Worker Week

School Social Worker Week

2025

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, school social workers are skilled in providing services to students who face challenges to school success, including poverty, discrimination, abuse, neglect, disabilities, mental illness, homelessness, bullying, familial stressors, and other barriers to learning; and

Whereas, school social workers are needed more now than at any time in recent memory, as more students are struggling with mental and behavioral health disorders, with nearly 1 in 4 youth experiencing a behavioral health need while in grade school; and

Whereas, approximately half of youth with mental health disorders actually receive necessary care, and research indicates that school mental health programs improve educational outcomes by decreasing absences and discipline referrals, while improving academic achievement and graduation rates; and

Whereas, individuals who wish to access community mental health services often find such services unavailable, inaccessible, or inadequate; and

Whereas, youth are six times more likely to complete evidence-based treatment when offered in schools versus other community settings; and

Whereas, school-based mental health programs are critical to early identification of and early intervention for mental health problems; and

Whereas, school social workers, being licensed mental health professionals in schools in the United States, provide necessary assessment, interventions, counseling, family outreach, and community referrals; and

Whereas, school social workers are critical in connecting students and their families with appropriate services when needed; and

Whereas, school social workers maintain knowledge of school culture and school climate which are necessary for responsible school safety planning; and

Whereas, school social workers serve as vital members of a school’s education team, playing a central role in creating partnerships between the home, school, and community to ensure student academic success;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim March 2-8, 2025, as “School Social Worker Week” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-sixth day of February in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-fifth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.