Kahle named legislator of the year by Michigan Association of School Social Workers
Posted Tuesday, November 01, 2022
State Rep. Bronna Kahle (R-Adrian) has been named legislator of the year by the Michigan Association of School Social Workers (MASSW). The group celebrated Kahle’s efforts to improve access to school counselors and mental health services for Michigan students.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by a group that understands just how important the mental health of our students is, especially as they continue to recover from educational, social and emotional setbacks of isolation during the pandemic,” Kahle said. “So many kids are hurting and need help in the form of mental health services. School social workers are getting it done.”
While Kahle nears the end of her term as state representative for Lenawee County residents, she will continue to provide valuable insight to student needs in the area as a new Adrian College Board of Trustee director.
Kahle currently chairs the House Health Policy Committee, and introduced and advocated for legislation establishing the Student Mental Health Apprenticeship Retention and Training grant program. The plan signed into law earlier this year combats the significant shortage of counselors and social workers in Michigan schools.
“We are immensely appreciative of Rep. Kahle’s support for the mental health of Michigan’s students,” said MASSW president Kathy Weaver. “Rep. Kahle’s involvement in the creation of the SMART Public Act goes a long way to securing the future school mental health workforce.”
The new law encourages more professionals to stay in Michigan by offering tuition reimbursement to newly certified school counselors who accept positions in the district where they worked while earning their certifications.
Adrian College offers teachers and administrators from Michigan K-12 the opportunity to pay only 50 percent of its tuition rate, and up to 18 graduate credits with the discount, with no additional fees.
For more information, contact Adrian College Institute for Education Director Dawn Milner at 265.5161, ext. 4625.
