BATON ROUGE, LA — The National Association of Social Workers, Louisiana Chapter (NASW-LA), joins our community and the entire state in deeply mourning the sudden and tragic passing of Louisiana State Senator Larry Selders.
Senator Selders came from a background in social work, and his support for the profession and the communities we serve was a beacon at the legislature. A proud 2005 social work graduate of Southern University and A&M College, he carried the core ethics of our profession with him throughout his work: compassion, service, and a commitment to human well-being. As the executive director of a Baton Rouge mental health and substance abuse clinic and throughout his career, he directly understood the vital necessity of behavioral healthcare and community resources, and helped prioritize legislation that focused on expanding the social work workforce in Louisiana. He truly lived the values of a social worker every day.
Our chapter shares a profound connection with Senator Selders. Throughout his service in both the House of Representatives and the State Senate, he was an unwavering ally to NASW-LA, working hand-in-hand with us to shape and champion critical legislation, including helping to pass the Social Work Compact, as well as supporting changes to professional supervision towards licensure. When our profession needed a voice in the Capitol, Senator Selders answered the call, bringing his first-hand clinical perspective to policy debates and fighting tirelessly to protect the vulnerable, expand healthcare access, and elevate the standard of social work practice across Louisiana.
Known by his colleagues for his integrity and his principles, his generosity and focus on people over politics made him a model leader. His untimely passing at the age of 44 is an immense, heartbreaking loss for the State of Louisiana, which has lost a faithful public servant, a champion for mental health advocacy, and a true leader.
We extend our deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers to his wife, Kendra, his two sons, his loved ones, and the constituents of District 14 during this incredibly difficult time. Senator Selders’ legacy of service and his impact on the social work community will never be forgotten.