Insurance and Real Estate Committee
February 28, 2019
Submitted by: NASW/CT Diversity Committee
Honorable Senator Lesser, Representative Scanlon, Representative Rosario and the Insurance and Real Estate Committee,
The National Association of Social Workers CT Chapter, Diversity Committee is in support of Proposed Bill No. 6091. The amendment of sections 38a-702d and 38a-769 of the general statute to include the language “be given in English or Spanish at the option of the individual…” is essential for the state of Connecticut to move toward a fully equitable exam and licensure process for residents.
The NASW/CT Chapter Board of Directors has recently commissioned the Diversity Committee to support diversity through social work and development; to advance professional standards and improve services related to awareness of diversity, equity and oppression; and to promote social justice through public policy and action. The Diversity Committee is comprised of social workers at the MSW, and PhD levels who are dedicated to the profession, clients, social justice and the NASW Code of Ethics. Please accept the following testimony in support of HB 6091.
Individuals acquire licensure as a testament of their professional competence. Therefore, requiring the Insurance Commissioner to offer a Spanish language version of each examination will facilitate the ability of individuals with English as second language to equitably pass examinations and earn licensure. Often times, for ESL individuals, passing examinations is not a question of competence as it is an issue of language and fluency. Pew Research Center reports that there are more than 540,000 Latinos in Connecticut and only 27 percent speak solely English in their homes (2014-2016). This indicates that 73 percent are more confident speaking Spanish. As Connecticut continues to grow in its immigrant and migrant population, the proposed amendments will narrow the gap of individuals able to attest to their knowledge and skills, and also positively affect the labor force shortage of bilingual/bicultural services.
Thus, the proposed amendments will reduce the unintended effect of creating a barrier to increasing the labor force, and will improve the way Connecticut serves marginalized populations and address the acculturation process. Moreover, instituting the proposed amendments will allow Connecticut to demonstrate its cultural awareness and linguistic competence in an inclusive and expedited process. Thus, enhancing the way we serve our diverse professionals and clients, and facilitating the opportunity for qualified Spanish-speaking individuals provide services to people within their own communities as well as all Connecticut residents.
Respectfully,
NASW/CT Diversity Committee
LaQueshia Clemmons, LMSW (co-chair)
Marlanda Hamilton, LMSW (co-chair)
Sherryl Chin, MSW
Alberto Cifuentes, LMSW
Antonia Cordero, LCSW, Ph.D.
Cheryl Green, LCSW, Ph.D.
Irwin Krieger, LCSW
Karen McLean, LMSW, Ph.D.
Rick Tsukada, LCSW
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