Social Work Month is celebrated every March to honor the contributions social workers make to improve the quality of life for individuals and families across our great nation.
This year’s theme, ‘Social Work: Compassion + Action” is led by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), a 120,000-member organization which provides guidance, advocacy, and research to support the profession. The annual observance not only celebrates social workers but is designed to recognize and educate communities on the positive impact ‘social work’ disciplines provide for hundreds of thousands of Americans each day.
According to the NASW, social workers are found in nearly every aspect of community life, including schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, senior centers, prisons, the military, and in local, state, and the federal government.
In a general sense, social workers assess arduous situations, identify needs, and advocate resources. Further, they may help those who face life-threatening health issues or social problems, whether it be inadequate housing, unemployment, or substance abuse. They also assist families who have disabilities, or domestic conflicts involving children or spousal abuse, while acting as an interim support system.
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor, in 2022 there were more than 725,000 social work jobs in the United States and one of the fasting growing professions, with job growth expected to increase 9% through 2031.
Social work is clearly an important aspect of the work we do within the Osceola Council on Aging (OCOA). Every member of our team has undergone extensive education and formal training to ensure they provide the highest level of support to our seniors, families living poverty, and disabled adults within our community.
We have five social workers on staff while also hosting a social work internship program for college students. Presently, six interns from the University of Central Florida and Barry University are interning within our organization. Since 2018, under the clinical supervision of Johnola Morales, PhD, Chief of Staff and Senior Vice-President of Case Management and Home Care, our team has hosted more than twenty-five interns from Florida State University, North Central University, and Arizona State University.
“The students within the internship program are enthusiastic about becoming geriatric clinical social workers. They seek to bridge the service gaps which older adults often face due to social isolation, financial constraints, or transportation issues,” said Dr. Morales.
Morales says she entered the field of social work because she had a passion for advocating for others. Her mother, who was also in the health profession, opened the door to servanthood, inspiring her to pursue a career in the helping field.
Early in her career, Dr. Morales became a field instructor after earning her master’s degree, teaching social work disciplines. Through our internship program, she continues to help emerging social workers understand their role in treating everyone with dignity and respect. Dr. Morales added, “Every person has a story that needs to be heard. As social workers, we listen without judgment.”
Students who enter our internship program come with the understanding they will learn about advocacy within our community, social service initiatives, and funding, all in the goal of assisting OCOA clients improve their well- being.
Our social work team certainly demonstrates ‘Compassion+Action’ as they work daily to connect with those in our community who need support, all with the underlying mission of promoting a healthier, safer, and more stable Osceola County community.
