2025 NASW-NC Legislative Session Update: Governor urges Congress to maintain funding for Head Start

In this week's update:

• Governor urges Congress to maintain funding for Head Start
• NC Republicans retake control of State Board of Elections
• Education Department stops $1 billion in funding for school mental health
• NC House passes HB 318 -The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act 
• Action Alert from NC Justice Center -How Medicaid helps seniors! 
• Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation - Federal Advocacy 
• 2025 Aging Advocacy Day-THIS WEEK! 
• Social Work Compact Passes NC House 
• NCGA Bills to Watch 
• NASW-NC Clinical Institute-LAST CHANCE!  

Governor urges Congress to maintain funding for Head Start

Gov. Josh Stein joined the Smart Start Conference in Greensboro on Wednesday to highlight his priorities for child care and early education, but he also urged North Carolina’s federal delegation to oppose efforts to eliminate the Head Start program, according to a press release.

Stein, Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, and Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green sent a letter this week to leaders in Congress, including North Carolina’s federal delegation.

The letter spells out the stark consequences of eliminating Head Start in North Carolina:

More than 19,500 children in North Carolina rely on Head Start and Early Head Start for high-quality child care, access to health screenings, and healthy food to prepare them for school and beyond.

If federal Head Start funding were to be cut, as many as 500 child care programs that operate Head Start and Early Head Start could close.

Head Start brings over $290 million in federal funds directly to local economies in North Carolina, supporting more than 5,600 jobs across local agencies, private nonprofit child care centers, and school systems.

Letter to Congress

“Rural areas would be particularly hard-hit,” says the letter, “where Head Start is often one of the only high-quality child care options for low-income families. In 22 rural counties, Head Start accounts for 20 percent or more of all licensed child care slots.”

After Hurricane Helene, notes the letter, “Eliminating Head Start would be a major setback for western North Carolina’s economic recovery and child and family well-being.”

“Programs like Smart Start help North Carolina’s children live up to their full potential,” said Stein. “Federal proposals to eliminate the Head Start program are wrongheaded. Investing in our kids is investing in our future — and I’ll take that return every time.” 

The letter to Congress

North Carolina is classified as a “child care desert” for infant and toddler care, says the letter, where on average, five families with babies are competing for every available licensed child care slot.  

“Without Head Start, many families would face the impossible choice of caring for their children or earning a living — disrupting not only their careers but also businesses and the broader economy,” says the letter.

Stein, Hunt, and Green are asking members of Congress to “oppose any cuts to or elimination of the Head Start program and work to strengthen this critical investment in our future.”

Read More: https://www.ednc.org/04-30-3035-stein-hunt-and-green-send-joint-letter-to-congress-about-head-start/

NC Republicans retake control of State Board of Elections

A three-judge panel on the North Carolina Court of Appeals allowed Republican Auditor Dave Boliek to oversee the State Board of Elections starting on Thursday.

Within hours of Boliek’s new appointment authority, the state Republican Party sent over a list of nominees. From there, Boliek decided to renew the term of GOP elections board member Stacy Eggers. He also tapped former Civitas Institute president Francis De Luca and former GOP Sen. Bob Rucho to join the NCSBE.

“Managing our elections is no small task,” Boliek said in a statement. “It takes time, dedication, and professionalism. We need full confidence in our elections, and I'd like to thank these individuals for their willingness to serve."

The NCSBE has long been controlled by Democrats, and North Carolina’s governor had long been able to appoint elections officials. 

Both the state Republican Party and Democratic Party each get two members. Prior to Wednesday’s Court of Appeals order, Democratic Gov. Josh Stein was able to appoint a fifth member, thus giving the state elections board a 3-2 Democratic advantage.

Starting Thursday, however, Boliek was enabled to fill that tie-breaking fifth slot, thus giving the GOP a 3-2 advantage. And all 100 county elections boards could see a similar political shift toward conservatives starting June 25. 

This is thanks to a law Republicans passed in December with their outgoing supermajority. 

Meanwhile, Stein is asking the 5-2 conservative majority state Supreme Court to step in to put a halt to the Court of Appeals decision that allowed Boliek to reshape the NCSBE. 

Stein worries a new conservative majority elections board could bolster the prospects of Republican Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin overturning an apparent 734-vote defeat in last year’s Supreme Court race against Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs.

“I fear that this decision is the latest step in the partisan effort to steal a seat on the Supreme Court,” Stein said in a statement. “No emergency exists that can justify the Court of Appeals’ decision to interject itself at this point. The only plausible explanation is to permit the Republican State Auditor to appoint a new State Board of Elections that will try to overturn the results of the Supreme Court race.”

The North Carolina Democratic Party hadn’t submitted a list of nominees to Boliek, as of Thursday morning.

For years, Republicans had unsuccessfully sought to take the state elections board appointment powers away from the governor. Voters soundly rejected a GOP constitutional amendment in 2018, and a subsequent bill to create an evenly split elections board hit legal roadblocks. 

So legislative Republicans took a different approach this time around. 

Rather than effectively transferring appointment power from the governor to the legislature, they chose to give that authority with a statewide executive officeholder. They’re hoping Boliek will be a change agent for better administration of elections. 

(Source: Anderson Alerts by Bryan Anderson)

Education Department stops $1 billion in funding for school mental health

The Trump administration says it will stop paying out $1 billion in federal grants that school districts across the country have been using to hire mental health professionals, including counselors and social workers.

The U.S. Department of Education is telling impacted districts that the Biden administration, in awarding the grants, violated "the letter or purpose of Federal civil rights law."

The grants were part of the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — a bill passed in the aftermath of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in which a teen gunman killed 19 elementary school students and two adults and injured 17 people. The bill, among other things, poured federal dollars into schools to address rising concerns about a student mental health crisis.

Those dollars helped Superintendent Derek Fialkiewicz in Corbett, Ore., more than triple the number of school mental health professionals in his largely rural district of 1,100 students east of Portland. Before the grants, Fialkiewicz says his district had just two counselors, "and we realized, that's just not sustainable for our students and especially coming out of COVID."

In early 2023, thanks to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the district received a federal grant that fully covered the salaries and benefits of five new trained social workers.

"It's been amazing," says Fialkiewicz of the difference that federal money — and the social workers it paid for — have made in his school community.

He says he was shocked when he heard the Trump administration was putting an end to this federal support. Just Tuesday, a U.S. Department of Education employee who oversees their grant had given his district the go-ahead to add a telehealth texting service for students. An hour later, Fialkiewicz says, he got an email that the grant would be discontinued.

Republicans supported these mental health grants

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and the mental health funding that accompanied it, enjoyed considerable Republican support even in the years after it passed.

"Too often, adolescents with untreated mental health conditions become the very same perpetrators who commit acts of violence," wrote three of the law's Republican supporters — Sens. John Cornyn of Texas, Susan Collins of Maine and Thom Tillis of North Carolina — in a 2024 opinion piece. "For this reason, we crafted our law to ensure teachers and administrators are equipped with the tools to recognize when a student is experiencing a mental health crisis and, more importantly, connect them with the care they need before it's too late."

The endgame was "to prepare and place 14,000 mental health professionals in schools," says Mary Wall, who oversaw K-12 policy and budget for the U.S. Department of Education during the Biden administration.

Wall says about 260 school districts in nearly every state received a portion of the $1 billion — in the form of five-year grants, which were paid out in installments.

Now, it appears those districts will have to find a way to do without the money they had planned for but will not receive.

"The preparation of new mental health professionals, as well as those who are already in service, is at risk," Wall says.

In Corbett, Fialkiewicz says he's been told his grant money, which was supposed to last until December of 2027, will instead stop this December, two years early. Once it does, he says, "We're gonna end up going back to having two counselors in our district."

The superintendent says he feels "disgusted" by the idea of having to lay off those federally funded social workers.

"To be able to provide those [mental health] services and then have it ripped away for something that is completely out of our control, it's horrible," Fialkiewicz says. "I feel for our students more than anything because they're not gonna get the services that they need."

An August 2024 poll from the American Psychiatric Association found that "84% of Americans believe school staff play a crucial role in identifying signs of mental health issues in students."

Why the department says it cut the grants 

In a statement to NPR, Madi Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for communications at the Department of Education, explained the decision to discontinue the grants:

"Recipients used the funding to implement race-based actions like recruiting quotas in ways that have nothing to do with mental health and could hurt the very students the grants are supposed to help. We owe it to American families to ensure that tax-payer dollars are supporting evidence-based practices that are truly focused on improving students' mental health."

But the 2022 federal grant notice told schools explicitly: The services to be provided must be "evidence-based."

Wall also disputes the department's characterization, telling NPR that "the focus of these grants was absolutely on providing evidence-based mental health support to students. Any suggestion that this is a DEI program is a distraction from the real issue."

The Trump administration and the Education Department have been applying a new interpretation of federal civil rights law to a wide range of federal programs. Last month, the department threatened to revoke K-12 schools' federal funding if they don't stop all DEI programming and teaching that the department might consider discriminatory.

In response to a request from NPR to further explain why the department believes these mental health grants had somehow run afoul of Trump's anti-DEI policy, it offered a few brief excerpts from districts' grant applications, in which one grantee wrote that school counselors must be trained "to recognize and challenge systemic injustices, antiracism, and the pervasiveness of white supremacy to ethically support diverse communities."

The initial federal request for grant applications suggested districts prioritize "increasing the number of school-based mental health services providers in high-need [districts], increasing the number of services providers from diverse backgrounds or from the communities they serve, and ensuring that all services providers are trained in inclusive practices."

In the email Fialkiewicz received, notifying him of the grant's end, the department wrote that the efforts funded by the grant violate federal civil rights law, "conflict with the Department's policy of prioritizing merit, fairness, and excellence in education; undermine the well-being of the students these programs are intended to help; or constitute an inappropriate use of federal funds."

When asked if diversity played any role in his district's grant application, Fialkiewicz replied:

"Yes, in our application, we did state, because it was part of the requirements, that we would use equitable hiring practices. And that's exactly what we did. And to me, equitable hiring practices means you hire the best person for the job. That's equitable."

And now, those social workers he hired might lose their jobs.

(Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/05/01/nx-s1-5382582/trump-school-mental-health)

NC House passes HB 318 -The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act 

The NC House passed HB 318 - The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act on Wednesday, April 30th.  This bill requires law enforcement to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Custody Enforcement (ICE) to remove immigrants charged with serious crimes.  HB 318 builds onto HB 10 -Require ICE Cooperation & Budget Adjustments, passed in the 2023-2024 legislative session which requires law enforcement to work with ICE before releasing migrants arrested for violent offenses from custody. 

NC House Speaker Destin Hall said, "Make no mistake—when illegal immigrants commit violent crimes and are then released back into our communities, it’s the law-abiding families of North Carolina who pay the price. Sheriffs who refuse to cooperate with ICE are putting the public at risk. This bill ensures that sheriffs do their job: protect citizens, not shield criminals."

NASW-NC opposed both bills. 

Click Here for the NC Justice Center Immigrant Family Preparedness Toolkit (2025) is intended to help all of North Carolina’s immigrant communities prepare for the possibility that a family member may be unexpectedly separated from their home due to their immigration status. The toolkit is an update to our guide from 2017 and includes information on the following:

• Steps to prepare for emergencies
• Rights during encounters with law enforcement or immigration officers
• House Bill 10 and the cooperation between ICE and N.C. sheriffs
• Where to get help
• How to get an identity document
• Making plans for children, pets, finances, properties, and emergency contacts
• Powers of attorney
• Immigration relief options

Urgent call for stories on how Medicaid helps seniors!

(From NC Justice Center) 
NC Medicaid continues to face attacks at the federal level, and we need your help to protect this lifesaving health program. We have found that stories showing how Medicaid helps seniors are especially persuasive to lawmakers, as roughly 67 percent of seniors in North Carolina rely on Medicaid for long-term care.  We are looking for seniors or their loved ones who would be willing to share their Medicaid story publicly. Time is of the essence, as members of the U.S. House will convene on May 7 to decide on where they will cut billions from Medicaid funding. 

Specifically, we are looking for stories about seniors who meet any of these criteria:
• Get health care through Medicaid expansion
• Are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare
• Rely on Medicaid to pay for their stay in a long-term care facility
  

SHARE YOUR STORY 

Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation - Federal Advocacy 

By now, you have likely seen news that the current federal administration has a proposed Health and Human Services (HHS) budget that would devastate rural health. The budget cuts include programs fundamental to rural health access and would hit North Carolina, home to the second-largest rural population in the United States, especially hard. 

Notably, the budget proposal would eliminate Head Start and completely cut state offices of rural health , the first of which was founded by our inaugural director , Jim Bernstein, right here in North Carolina. 

As a nonpartisan organization, we approach policy advocacy through a health lens. Political party aside, if passed, this budget would devastate the health of the North Carolinians we serve and work alongside. We will continue to advocate in Washington, D.C., for thoughtful approaches that preserve access to health, especially in our rural communities, and we need your help. 

Earlier this year, our staff traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for positive health policy on Capitol Hill. Every single elected official and staffer we spoke with requested more information about what people are experiencing across North Carolina. 

We’re collecting stories and sharing them with our Senators and House Representatives . If you have a story to tell about your personal experience with federal funding freezes, changing policies or proposed changes, and how your community is feeling the current administration’s impact, please share it anonymously with us. 

We also want to hear any positive stories you may have to share about how federal funding has supported you and your community to highlight the benefits North Carolinians receive from the government. A strengths-based approach will be critical in convincing elected officials to continue funding programs that have helped so many North Carolinians.  

(Source: https://foundationhli.org/)

2025 Aging Advocacy Day -THIS WEEK! 

Wednesday, May 7
NC General Assembly 

This advocacy rally is hosted by AARP North Carolina, NC Coalition on Aging and Friends for Residents in Long Term Care and provides the opportunity to make your voice heard. You will have the opportunity to meet with lawmakers and observe the legislature in action. 

Click above to register for this important event. Plan to arrive in Raleigh at 8:30 a.m. on May 7 for a group rally at the State Library of North Carolina (auditorium) that is located at 109 E. Jones Street and adjacent to the Legislative Building. The program will begin at 8:45 a.m. Public parking is available across the street from the library. 

If your schedule allows following the 2025 Advocacy Day on May 7, join the Celebrate Older Americans Month event at the NC State Farmers Market from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Click Here to Register! 

Social Work Compact passes NC House

The Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact Bill (HB231) was heard on the House Floor on Tuesday, April 1, for its final vote in the House, and it passed unanimously with a floor vote of 116-0. The week prior, NASW-NC staff had been at the General Assembly ensuring that HB 231 passed favorably in both the House Finance Committee and the House Rules Committee. 

The North Carolina legislation (SB155 and HB231) would allow licensed clinical social workers to apply to provide their services across multiple states. A comprehensive data system would also be created so the public could be kept safe and informed regarding a social worker’s current license status and any adverse actions associated with a licensed clinical social worker.

NASW-NC's top priority for the 2025 legislative session is the passage of the Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact. NASW-NC has been the driving force behind this bill, and was the only organization in North Carolina to work to introduce the bill in both chambers of the NC General Assembly.

NASW-NC has worked tirelessly for the last two years to secure the 40 primary and co-sponsors in both the Senate and House of Representatives for the Social Work Licensure Compact.  NASW-NC would like to thank all of HB 231's sponsors and co-sponsors for their leadership and support in getting this bill passed.⁠

HB 231 has been referred to the NC Senate. NASW-NC will continue to monitor and advocate for the bill’s passage. NASW-NC will also continue to advocate for SB 155 - the companion bill of HB 231 to be heard in Senate Finance Committee and eventually in a floor vote in the NC Senate.

NASW-NC is also working to advance HB 523 – School Social Workers/Master’s Pay. This is the second 2025 NASW-NC Legislative Agenda priority item that has been introduced as a bill in the House. This bill will most likely be voted through House Education and referred to Appropriations, where it will be included in the House Budget. We are working on getting support in the Senate.

NASW-NC is the ONLY organization lobbying and advocating for the entire Social Work Profession at the North Carolina Legislature. The NASW-NC lobbying team would not exist without the incredible support of NASW-NC membership. If you are already a member of NASW-NC, THANK YOU. Our members are the only reason that we have been able to do this work! 

NASW-NC is not federally funded; we are not state funded. We are funded by the members of NASW and will not exist to advocate for you and the social work profession without YOU!  We are able to do more if we have a large voice and robust membership. If you are not yet a member, please join NASW and join us in our advocacy efforts.

Follow updates on the Social Work Compact in the NC General Assembly here. 

NCGA Bills to Watch 

SB 155 (HB 231): The Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact works to increase access to social workers and this bill would add North Carolina into a compact where social workers from other states who meet requirements within the bill can serve North Carolinians.  Click Here for how you can support passage of the Social Work Compact. 

HB523: School Social Workers/Master's Pay.  This bill will restore master's level pay for school social workers. 

HB171: Equality on State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. This bill will eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and prohibit public funding for DEI initiatives in state and local government.

SB558: Eliminating "DEI" in Public Education Higher Ed. This bill will ban Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) content and programs in public colleges, universities and community colleges.

HB 519: Parent's Medical Bill of Rights.  This bill would revoke a minor's right to consent to their own healthcare without parental permission and grants parents the right to access minor's medical records.    

HB690: The Citizens Support Act. This bill requires multiple state agencies to verify immigration status and/or take measures to prevent undocumented immigrants from accessing public services.

SB 442: Parents Protection Act. This bill focuses on protecting parents and guardians from accusations of abuse or neglect related to how they raise children, particularly in relation to a child's biological sex.

Voter Voice Bill Tracker

NASW-NC has created a page to keep members up to date with legislative developments regarding the Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact, restoring master’s level pay for school social workers, and other bills related to the social work profession.

NASW-NC is currently keeping an eye on more than 100 bills that, if passed, may impact the social work profession and the populations we serve. You can view all of the bills NASW-NC is tracking at the NC General Assembly HERE. 

2025 NASW-NC Clinical Institute - LAST CHANCE!  

The Clinical Social Work Institute is one of NASW-NC's flagship conferences, offering 1.5-hour workshops for both advanced and beginning clinical social workers. Past attendees have shared that the workshops offered are an enhancement to their practice and areas of specialization. The conference welcomes Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) from across North Carolina, with others joining in from other states and a few from other countries. 

May 12-13, 2025
Virtual 
Up to 31 hours of CE Live and Recorded 

Registration Fees:
Members $125
Not yet a member? $250
 

VIEW BROCHURE & REGISTER HERE TODAY !

Thank you to the members of NASW-NC for supporting the advocacy work we do. We would not be able to advocate for the social work profession or social justice issues in North Carolina without a robust and engaged NASW membership. If you are a social worker and not a member, we ask that you join NASW today. Our voice is louder with your membership.

Learn more about NASW-NC membership here.

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