Press Release: 2022-07-01
Loan Forgiveness Victory for LCSWs!
Loan Forgiveness Victory for LCSWs!:
Back in March 2022, we notified social workers of a Loan Repayment Program funded through the Department of Public Health and administered by the Massachusetts League of Community Centers. This program, called the Massachusetts Loan Repayment Program (MLRP), covers a wide range of professionals providing health and mental health services. We heard the disappointment expressed by many of you that the program regulations only covered those social workers licensed at the highest level (LICSW).
Since we learned of this issue, we have been advocating in collaboration with the Mass League for a correction to include LCSWs in this loan repayment program. As we all know, many of the behavioral health professionals doing this work on the frontlines are LCSWs and many have significant and even crushing student loan debt. We are excited to share with you today that we have been successful in our advocacy efforts! While the 2022 program has closed, in the next cycle (2023) the MLRP will include eligibility for LCSWs!
We will continue to seek opportunities to advocate for loan forgiveness for social workers in our state at every turn, and in every program that is rolled out. And we will continue to notify you of loan forgiveness programs for which social workers may be eligible. If you are interested in learning more about MLRP's program, click here.
Thank you for your membership, which makes this work possible!
Warmly,
Brianna
Brianna Silva, MSW
Membership and Advocacy Manager