March is National Social Work Appreciation Month. This is a great opportunity to recognize our dedicated team of social workers. This year’s national theme highlights the fact that resilience and advocacy are primary tools for social workers. As executive director of the Social Services Administration, I know of countless instances where our workers have been resilient in advocating on behalf of others.
Our child welfare data tells part of that story. We’ve exceeded our adoption goals each of the last two years, and there are fewer children in foster care now than at any time in the last 25 years.
Those impressive statistics are the result of the great work being done by social workers across the state. In addition to our many child welfare successes, our social workers are also helping to stop exploitation and abuse of the elderly and assisting vulnerable adults to continue to live in the least restrictive environments possible. Much of the work that is done on behalf of others involves identifying available resources and persistent follow-up to ensure that services are available.
The resilience and advocacy our workers display each day isn’t going to make the evening news. But that’s OK. The end result is what matters most: that we are making a positive difference for the children, families and vulnerable adults who depend on us.
We are celebrating National Social Work Appreciation Month by honoring our workers in several different ways. Some local offices will be providing lunch for their workers, while others will be highlighting the month by bringing in guest speakers. As an agency, we have asked each of our local departments of social services to identify workers who most exemplify the resilience and advocacy that has served vulnerable populations well. Photos of those workers can be seen on the DHR website.
Additionally, social workers from the Baltimore City Department of Social Services were featured guests on WJZ-TV 13′s “Manic Monday” segment that aired early this morning. About 75 dedicated workers braved the early morning chill to take part, but going that extra mile comes naturally to our committed bunch of social workers. I hope you will join with me in applauding the fantastic work that all of our social workers do throughout the year.
Carnitra White, Executive Director
DHR’s Social Services Administration
