OLYMPIA – A bill to improve student mental health by expanding the school behavioral health workforce was heard in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee Wednesday.
Senate Bill 5369, sponsored by Sen. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines), would authorize educational service districts to work with local mental and behavioral health agencies and universities to help arrange in-school placements of social worker associates, candidates, and professionals.
“In 2023, 30% of Washington students were chronically absent from school. We have seen rates of youth suicide and suicide attempts increase by 600% over the last decade and a half, according to the DCYF,” Orwall said. “Ensuring students can access behavioral health care is a critical step towards getting our students back in classrooms and improving their health and well-being. Social workers are uniquely equipped to help our kids thrive in school and in life”
The legislation would also increase the social worker allocation in high-poverty schools under the prototypical school model. High-poverty schools are defined as those where at least 50% of students, based on a three-year rolling average, qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
“Students can’t learn when their brains are on fire with stress,” said Rep. Alicia Rule (D-Blaine), who sponsored the House version of the bill. “Having more social workers in schools has been shown to help students attend school every day and improve learning outcomes.”
Follow the bill’s progress here.
