Santa Fe – Today, a bill to ensure social workers are educated to work with Native American communities passed the House Education Committee. House Bill 359, sponsored by Rep. Tomás Salazar (D-Las Vegas) establishes a Native American Social Work Studies Institute at New Mexico Highlands University to prepare social workers to work on and off-tribal lands.
"This legislation is about ensuring our Native American communities can trust social work professionals. Social workers must be educated on cultural sensitivity and how to work in Native communities," said Rep. Tomás Salazar.
Native Americans experience higher rates of poverty, mental health problems, substance abuse, suicide, under- and unemployment, and lack of education. Approximately, 10 percent of New Mexico's population is Native American. According to NMHU, no other program of its kind currently exists nationally.
House Bill 359 now moves to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee for consideration.
