Alva Review-Courier -

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Low pay, challenging work and years of declining state funding have made it difficult to hire and keep qualified social workers in Kansas. Making matters worse, advocates say, is the state's unusually high certification and work experience requirements.

In a move to address the shortage, Kansas lawmakers are now considering legislation that would bring Kansas closer to certification requirements in other states. KCUR reports that the state Senate unanimously approved the bill last month. It now awaits a vote from the House of Representatives.

The state now requires people s...