The following is a press release issued by Mendocino County:
March is recognized nationally as a month to give appreciation for those serving as Social Workers. In Mendocino County, Social Workers are engaged within a range of supportive services including Family & Children’s, Adult & Aging, and Employment & Family Assistance Services.
“Social Workers play an important role in helping the most vulnerable members of our community, from newborns to the elderly, live safely in their homes and in their communities. Social Workers work in partnership with individuals, their families and others who are important to them to help stabilize crisis situations, assess their needs and connect them to services and supports to promote their long term stability and well-being,“ shares Jena Conner, Deputy Director Family & Children’s Services.
In the calendar year 2021, Mendocino County Family & Children’s Services Social Workers reunified 73 children with parents who successfully addressed child safety issues, assessed and approved 45 resource parents to provide care for children in the foster care system, provided services and supports to a monthly average of 321 children, young adults, and their families involved in child welfare services or the juvenile dependency system, and investigated a total of 954 reports of child abuse and neglect. The CalWORKs Job Services Social Worker, through the Family Stabilization and Cal-Learn programs, assisted 27 families consisting of 49 children in addressing issues preventing them from pursuing their employment goals. In Adult and Aging Services, Social Workers investigated 775 referred cases of neglect/abuse, served as conservator for 15 older adults needing protective intervention, addressed housing needs for 20 disabled/older adults, and secured permanent housing for 14 homeless community members.
The Social Work profession has existed for more than a century and the need for Social Workers is great, especially as our nation continues to face entrenched issues that have stressed our society, including the Covid-19 pandemic, systemic racism, economic inequality, and other crises.
“The need for Social Workers is great. Filling vacancies will help reduce caseloads so Social Workers can spend more quality time working with their clients and helping them achieve their goals. Staff employed in Family & Children’s Services are eligible to apply for educational financial assistance with Schools of Social Work to pursue Bachelor and/or Master’s Degrees in Social Work with a commitment to work in the field of child welfare post-graduation,” explains Conner.
Social Workers, who are often unsung heroes, are on the front lines, helping people overcome their most difficult times. They are trained to help people address personal and systemic barriers to optimal living. The goal is to effect positive change with individuals, families, groups and communities to overcome issues that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
This National Month of Social Work Appreciation allows us to recognize all the Social Workers that serve our County and their important contributions. Everyone is encouraged to thank a Social Worker for their service not only this month, but throughout the year.
“I have a deep appreciation for the dedication and empathy our Social Workers provide to our most vulnerable members every day,” shares Stephen White, Acting Deputy Director Adult & Aging Services.
If you would like information on a career in social work with Mendocino County, please visit our website at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mendocinoca.
Bureaucrates and Nurse Ratched tend to dominate the tax supported social service industry. Lazy and controling narcissist in most of this quagmire of professional desk jockys. Volenteers and advocates are the only true helpers I’ve met in years of exposure to Government sponserd aid.