1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Social Worker Safety Act of 2017 . 2. Social worker safety grant program (a) Grants authorized The Secretary of Health and Human Services may award grants to States to provide safety measures to social workers and other similar professionals (as designated by the Secretary) working with violent, illicit drug-using, or other at-risk populations. (b) Use of funds Grants awarded pursuant to subsection (a) may be used to provide or support the following safety measures: (1) (A) The procurement and installation of safety equipment, including communications or recording systems, such as cell phones, wearable tracking devices with GPS/Bluetooth locator, or panic buttons used for supervised foster care visits and other client visits to assist agencies in locating staff. (B) Technical assistance and training for safety communications. (2) Training sessions and exercises for self-defense and crisis, together with such organizations as local law enforcement. (3) Facility safety improvements. (4) Training in cultural competency, including linguistic training, and training on strategies for de-escalating a situation that could turn volatile. (5) Training to help work with clients who— (A) have serious mental and substance use disorders