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There is a movement afoot to bring social workers into the fold of law enforcement. Monday morning a variety of local agencies already doing so, as well as those seeking advice on how to get started, gathered for a meeting of the minds in Valparaiso.

“If someone told me 20 years ago I’d be standing in front of this group talking about social work I’d say you were crazy,” said HealthLinc CEO Beth Wrobel opening the workshop of about 45 law enforcement officers, social workers and government representatives.

U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, testified Thursday on the effectiveness of Section 232 steel tariffs before the International Trade Commission on the heels of testimony by industry to the Congressional Steel Caucus the day prior.

Mrvan co-chairs the Congressional Steel Caucus, which heard from leaders of the country’s top steel producers and the United Steelworkers Union on what they need to combat dumping of cheap global excess steel into the marketplace.

The future of steel is the future of jobs in Indiana, especially the northwest corner, which is one of the largest steel-producing areas in the United States. Rep. Frank Mrvan (D), who represents that area in DC, says the industry’s health will depend upon how much steel is called for. Much of that is for projects called for in the infrastructure law.

Steelmakers, union officials and Congressman Frank Mrvan testified before the International Trade Commission in favor of maintaining the 25% tariffs on most steel imports, as well as tariffs on China.

The ITC, a judicial body that oversees trade disputes, had a hearing on the economic impact of the tariffs, which were widely credited with lifting steel prices and helping steelmakers invest in new operations, such as the $60 million pig iron caster being built at Gary Works.

The State of the American Steel Industry

The annual Congressional Steel Caucus hearing on the state of the steel industry in Washington D.C. touted a strong sector that still faces challenges, such as decarbonization and the threat of imports.

Co-chair Congressman Frank Mrvan said the bipartisan Congressional Steel Caucus continues to advocate for the success of the domestic steel industry and steelworkers, including those in Northwest Indiana.