Licensure portability grant program - new applicant the association of social work boards (aswb) proposes to use hrsa funding opportunity hrsa-24-011 to support the implementation of the social work…

Licensure portability grant program - new applicant the association of social work boards (aswb) proposes to use hrsa funding opportunity hrsa-24-011 to support the implementation of the social work licensure compact (compact). Once operational, the compact will permit eligible social workers to seamlessly practice in person or via telehealth modalities in all states that adopt compact legislation. Under current state regulatory frameworks (with a few exceptions) social workers must apply directly to each state in which they seek to practice, incurring licensing fees, and requiring administrative tasks and application processing time. Further, IT can be confusing to understand where telehealth practice can occur as states lack consistency in regulations. State collaboration to operationalize the compact will support unified telehealth regulations to provide clarity to social workers and support cross-jurisdictional practice. In conjunction with aswb and state partner resources, hrsa-24-011 will provide funding to support the operationalization of the compact legislation including the formation of the commission responsible for governance, the development of a centralized data system, administrative staff support such as an executive director, and consulting services from the council for state governments for expert guidance. There is considerable need for interstate licensure to improve access to quality social work services. Workforce shortages, increased demand for care, and increasingly complicated social issues are all challenges seeking solution. The compact is one such possible solution. The goal of the compact is to eliminate barriers to practice and to client care along with ensuring public protection. Through the compact, consumers have greater access to professional social work services. The compact allows social workers to ensure continuity of care when clients travel or relocate. The compact reduces administrative burdens associated with holding multiple state licenses thus enhancing the mobility of licensed social workers. IT eases the employment burdens of social workers relocating alongside their military spouses. A social worker who wishes to use the compact to practice in other states will apply for a multistate license. To be eligible, a social worker must satisfy qualification requirements for licensure or hold a license in their primary state of residence (which must be a member of the compact) and meet other eligibility criteria. When eligibility is verified and all fees are paid, the social worker receives the multistate license and may begin legally working in person or via telehealth modalities in any compact member state. The compact will enhance a state's ability to protect public safety as states gain a supplementary layer of oversight of social workers who may enter their state to practice, whether physically or electronically. The compact data system will help states better protect the public by creating a data system of information about licensees including license status, investigative information, and adverse actions. IT will allow member states to verify instantaneously that social workers based in other states have met defined standards and competencies and are in good standing with other states' regulatory boards.