GCSW Students Advocate for a Social Work Intern Practicum Stipend
University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work • March 2023
“GCSW students traveled to Austin earlier this month for Social Work Advocacy Day (SWAD) at the Texas State Capital. Students attended advocate panels, had lunch with students from the GCSW’s Austin Legislative Interns Cohort, participated in discussions with legislative staff, networked with social work students from other Texas Universities, and more.
‘Connecting with other students from the GCSW and future social workers from other schools was one of my favorite parts of SWAD day. It’s moving because you see everyone’s passion for positively changing our society,’ GCSW first-year student Berenisia Aguilera said.
During the afternoon, GCSW students met with staff from State Representative Ann Johnson State Senator John Whitmire, and State Senator Carol Alvarado’s offices. The students advocated HB 1396, which would “ensure pay parity for all mental health professionals providing psychotherapy and allow LMSWs under clinical supervision to bill Medicaid,” and SB 1796, which focuses on the SWIPS program (Social Work Intern Practicum Stipend).”
