DETROIT, Mich. (Jan. 26, 2022) — Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) has issued the following statement regarding proposals by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in her annual State of the State address to increase Michigan’s investments in the behavioral health workforce: 

“Our communities have been struggling with mental health for some time, and those problems have only been made worse by the COVID pandemic. But we also know social workers and other behavioral health professionals provide critical services across numerous sectors, from our schools to our corrections facilities, community centers, substance abuse facilities, local crisis call centers, and more. It is imperative we do all we can to address the critical shortage this industry faces.  

“I am excited to partner with the governor and all colleagues to ensure we are doing everything we can to recruit more people to become social workers by incentivizing them toward public service, investing in training, and helping them pay back their expensive student loans. I’m grateful for Governor Whitmer’s leadership on this matter, for signing the community crisis response fund bills in December, and for the opportunity of continued work that lies ahead.” 

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