In his 2018 State of the State proposals, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his commitment to workforce development, which could have significant implications for statewide mental health reform and individuals' access to services. We hope to see his commitment materialize by ending a 14-year tradition of inequality in New York's mental health system and a substantial investment in the social work profession — one of the state's largest group of mental health providers.

For 14 years, seven state agencies have been allowed to utilize unlicensed employees to perform mental health services, including the diagnosis and treatment of severe mental illnesses. Mental health has gained public prominence as a vital and complex aspect of our health care, yet many entities, operating under an exemption initially meant to be temporary, continue to employ unlicensed employees — individuals who have not gone through the stringent education, experience, and examination requirements as licensed clinical social workers have — to perform these services.

We know the individuals likely to access services through state agencies are often the poorest and most vulnerable members of our communities. Social workers share a fundamental belief in equality of care, regardless of socioeconomic background, and are specifically trained to provide and ensure access to high-quality mental health services. Terminating this exemption and investing in social work provides the governor with a vehicle to truly improve health care for all New Yorkers. To quote Cuomo himself, "because in New York, health care is not for the rich. It is a human right."

Samantha Howell, Esq.

Albany

Executive director, National Association of Social Workers – New York State

www.naswnys.org