Pignatelli endorsed by social workers

LENOX – The political action arm of the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-MA PACE) has endorsed State Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli (D-Lenox) for re-election as a candidate for State Representative of the 4th Berkshire District. The election will be Nov. 6.

“I am thrilled and honored to win the endorsement of the NASW-MA PACE, and I wish to express my sincere gratitude for their support,” Rep. Pignatelli said. “I greatly admire the wonderful work that the NASW members do, especially out here in The Berkshires.

“They are really an integral part of our communities and particularly in the rural areas out here they are on the frontlines of delivering care and support to our residents,” he added.

The incumbent is running against Lee Scott Laugenour of Lenox for the two-year term.

Mr. Pignatelli has been a tremendous supporter of social workers throughout his time in the State House, particularly by being a lead sponsor and supporter of “An Act Establishing an Education Loan Repayment Program for Social Workers in Areas of Need.”

This legislation will create a student loan repayment pilot program for licensed certified social workers in underserved and high-need areas of Massachusetts, such as Berkshire County.

This bill will help to reduce the level of debt for licensed social workers, who are graduating with unmanageable debt, thus preventing many students from pursuing social work as a career.

Founded in 1957, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest organization of professional social workers in the world, with over 155,000 members in 55 chapters.

NASW-MA is the major professional social work organization in the state. NASW is committed to the mission of advancing professional social work practice and the profession; and to promoting human rights, social and economic justice, and unimpeded access to services for everyone.

Its 8,300 members work in a broad range of settings including hospitals and other health care settings, community agencies, government, academia, business, nursing homes, schools and private practice.

Posted by George C. Jordan III on October 4, 2012. Filed under News,State News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry