Letter from Texas Competes to the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners

Ms. Gloria CansecoTexas Behavioral Health Executive Council Mr. Timothy M. BrownTexas State Board of Social Work Examiners333 Guadalupe Street, Tower 3, Room 900Austin, TX 7870110/21/20Dear Ms. Canseco and Mr. Brown,A recent vote by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners removed the long-standing nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people and people with disabilities from the professional code of conduct for Texas social workers.

Opening the door to discrimination in mental health, especially during a historic pandemic, puts Texans in harm’s way and sends a troubling message about Texas to the country and to the world.

Texas employers are firm in their commitment to providing inclusive, welcoming workplaces, and standing up for inclusive, welcoming communities. All Texans, all Texas workers, and all family members of Texas workers deserve to have the same opportunities as their neighbors to live, work, participate in their communities, and to access essential services – including crucial support from social workers. A fair and competitive Texas requires just such a spirit of inclusion.

We urge BHEC and TSBSWE to reconsider this issue and ensure that all Texans are able to access the essential social work services that they need.