1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Senate Bill 1, which stands in direct contradiction to the values and competencies that drive the social work profession. I am three months away from earning my Master’s in Social Work, a degree grounded in the ethical responsibility to engage diversity, practice anti-racism, promote equity and inclusion, and advance equitable rights for all marginalized communities. SB 1 actively undermines these core tenets, threatening not just my profession, but the stability of the very society we serve. Social workers are the backbone of this country. Without us, mental health systems, substance use treatment programs, crisis response teams, child welfare services, hospitals, schools, and countless community organizations would collapse under the overwhelming demand for care. I work in mental health and substance use, a field where the ripple effects of systemic oppression and inequitable policies are most evident. Every day, I empower my clients to reclaim their lives—just as I continue to process the loss of my own father to an overdose. This work is not just a career; it is a lifeline for the individuals, families, and communities we serve… MINE included. How can you, as a representative of the people, justify supporting a bill that actively strips future social workers of the education and tools necessary to serve the very communities this country has exploited for generations? How can you vote in favor of legislation that rejects diversity, equity, and inclusion—the very principles that ensure fair access to resources, treatment, and opportunities for all? The idea that the U.S. House could even consider voting against the best interest of social workers is beyond my comprehension. If this bill passes, we will see a direct and devastating impact on marginalized communities. Universities will produce social workers ill-equipped to navigate the realities of systemic oppression, trauma, and inequality. More people will fall through the cracks. More individuals will die from preventable crises. And as the need for social services skyrockets, policymakers like yourself will be left with a society in turmoil and no workforce trained to handle it. I urge you to reject SB 1 and stand in support of those of us who have dedicated our lives to public service. We cannot afford to jeopardize the future of social work education and the well-being of millions of Americans for the sake of performative politics. I strongly encourage you to listen to those of us on the front lines before making a decision that could irreparably damage our profession and the lives we touch.