Massive social worker shortage looming: U.S. could be 200,000 workers short by 2030

SAN ANTONIO - While more social workers may be finding a place in public defender’s offices across the country, the U.S. is facing a massive social worker shortage.

Economists expect a shortage of nearly 200,000 social workers by 2030.

Will Francis, the Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers Texas and Louisiana Chapters, says “ We know that we need law enforcement but we also need social workers and I think that's where we can invest both as communities and as a state in what makes social work such an appealing profession and how we can then support that so people can make a living and have a career doing that work."

In Texas, Francis says there are anywhere between 27,000 to 28,000 licensed social workers.