It was the third year in a row students from the Touro College Graduate School of Social Work participated in Legislative Action Day, along with students from across New York State. The event was co-sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers – NYS Chapter, the NYS Social Work Education Association, and the NYS Association of Deans of Schools of Social Work.

“The trip was amazing,” said Ms. Johnson. “Our professors have been instrumental in teaching us not only advocacy for clients, but also how to impact public policies that play such an important role in our own lives and the future of this country.”

Both Ms. Johnson and Ms. Davis will earn their master’s degrees in May. In Albany, the students were briefed on the issues of expanding the Social Work Loan Forgiveness Program and the Dream Act, and offered tips for successful visits with their legislative representatives.

The Dream Act, which was narrowly defeated last year, would allow undocumented students access to state financial aid, 529 college savings programs and other private loans programs. It would also create a Dream Fund Commission to raise funds for scholarships for children of immigrants.

Ms. Johnson, herself the daughter of a West Indian immigrant, works with immigrant children and has dedicated her life to helping those likely to have a hard time getting a college education without access to financial aid.

“I am a product of what many immigrants come to this country for – to seek a better life through opportunity,” said Ms. Johnson, who is herself a “Head Start” child. “I went to Albany because financial aid played a major role in my pursuit of higher education. When children are denied financial assistance it hinders growth for us all.”  Ms. Johnson, who is obtaining her second master’s degree, has two daughters who are college graduates and a son who will be entering his senior year in high school in the fall.

Ms. Davis, a mother of six and grandmother of 15, is a former heroin addict who turned her life around some 25 years ago and now rehabilitates drug users as a patient advocate manager at a major Manhattan hospital.  Now obtaining her third academic degree from Touro, she went to Albany to advocate for loan forgiveness. 

“When you start taking out loans you don’t understand the debt you’re incurring,” she said, adding if the loan forgiveness program is funded as requested, it could reduce her debt load considerably.   Ms. Davis said forgiveness programs for other professionals – nurses, doctors, physician assistants, are much better funded than the program for social workers.

“The amount social workers are given is insignificant. It’s important to come together as a group and for people to understand that many people are dedicated to the field of social work. We are important. Social workers are in the business of helping people and loans are very expensive.” 

According to a fact sheet prepared by the sponsors, social work is the most highly utilized of the loan forgiveness programs administered by New York State yet it receives the least amount of funding, at $978,000; by comparison, nursing is funded at $3.9+ million, district attorneys at $2+ million, and primary care physicians at $1.7 million.  

The fact sheet states the annual starting salary of social workers in 2013 was “stagnant” at $35,000, with 52 percent reporting that they owed between $10,000 and $39,000, according to a recent NASW survey.

Before dispersing to meet with officials, the students met with the office of Senator Jose Peralta, Senate sponsor of the Dream Act. During the day another group met with Senator Liz Krueger’s chief of staff.  Students explored the capital and sat in on joint legislative sessions.

“As a teacher, I find this to be the most rewarding part of my job,” said Jennifer Zelnick, MSW, Sc.D, associate professor and chair of the social welfare policy sequence, who co-led the group with Allison Bobick, MSW, LCSW, assistant professor and director of student advancement. “Students find this day empowering as they literally find their voices speaking to decision-makers in state government.”

About the Touro College and University System

Touro is a system of Jewish-sponsored non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American community. Approximately 19,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has branch campuses, locations and instructional sites in the New York area, as well as branch campuses and programs in Berlin, Jerusalem, Moscow, Paris and Florida. Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus, as well as Touro College Los Angeles, Touro University Worldwide and New York Medical College, are separately accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System. For further information on Touro College, please go to: www.touro.edu/news.