To celebrate and honor the approximately 700,000 social workers currently employed in the U.S. and highlight the invaluable contributions they make toward society, Social Work Month takes place each March. Caring Hearts for Children, a central Texas foster care and adoption agency, is sharing information about the lifechanging services social workers provide every day to vulnerable children and families in need of assistance.
“From protecting children from abuse and neglect to providing mental health and substance abuse treatment, social workers effect positive change for individuals, families and communities as a whole,” said Brent Hagood, Executive Director of Caring Hearts for Children. “These individuals consistently give of their time and talents to enhance the wellbeing of others, and we are thankful for the lifechanging work they do each day.”
Why is social work important?
Social workers meet people where they are and look to empower and transform the lives of millions, including the most vulnerable members of society. Through mentorship, social workers contributed to a 68% decline in the juvenile arrest rate from 1996 to 2015, according to a Tulane University study, while CPS and its social workers check up on an estimated 3.2 million children each year.
What are the responsibilities of a social worker?
Social workers identify those in need of assistance and help individuals adjust to changes and challenges in their lives, such as homelessness, addiction, or unemployment. They also advocate for community resources, maintain case files and records, and use a variety of programs and services to ensure basic needs are met.
Where are social workers employed?
You will find social workers serving in a variety of roles, ranging from the child, family and school sector, to healthcare, government, and private, for-profit businesses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social work employment is expected to grow 16% from 2016 to 2026, making it one of the fastest growing careers in the U.S.
“At Caring Hearts for Children, we have seen firsthand the impact social workers have on local communities and, specifically, the children and families we serve,” added Hagood. “This Social Work Month, I hope you will take a moment to thank the social workers in your life and recognize the role they play in helping those from all backgrounds and walks of life reach their full potential.”
Caring Hearts for Children is a nonprofit agency licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services that provides fosterto-adopt, adoption and kinship care services for boys and girls, ages birth through 17 years. With offices in Comanche, Stephenville and Burnet, Caring Hearts for Children works to provide safe, loving, and appropriate homes to the foster children of Texas. For more information, visit caringheartsforchildren.org.