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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing the month of March 2019 as Social Work Recognition Month in Solano County (Supervisor Thomson)
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Published Notice Required? Yes _____ No __X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes _____ No __X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board adopt and present a resolution recognizing the month of March as Social Work Month in Solano County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The month of March is designated nationwide as Social Work Month and remains an important opportunity to acknowledge Solano County’s Social Workers for their invaluable contribution in helping individuals, families, children, and the elderly in need of care and protection. Nationally, more than 680,000 social workers confront some of the most challenging issues facing these individuals. Locally, more than 140 County Social Workers provide services through various programs including Child Welfare Services, Employment and Eligibility Services, Solano County Family Justice Center, Public Defender’s Office, Older and Disabled Adults Services, Public Health/Maternal Child and Adolescent Health Services and Probation.
Every day the nation’s social workers work to empower and elevate families in crisis which is meaning behind the 2019 Social Work Month theme of “Elevate Social Work.” National Social Work Month is an opportunity for social workers and their supporters to educate the public about the invaluable contributions of the profession. Social workers perform a multitude of tasks requiring knowledge and skills in psychology, crisis resolution, and complex legal requirements governing intervention on behalf of their clients. Social workers provide a 24-hour safety net for the protection of children, the disabled and the elderly and provide services designed to improve and stabilize the lives of their clients. They also respond to and assist victims where allegations of violence have occurred and provide crisis management and intervention, resource coordination, biological and psychological social assessments, safety planning, case consultation, and arrange for treatment and services along with referral linkages. Confronted with some of the most challenging issues facing individuals and families, social workers build solutions that help clients reach their full potential while consistently demonstrating compassion and creativity in working with clients in difficult situations. Social work is a profession driven by hope and advocacy and oftentimes social workers serve as an immediate lifeline in crisis providing access to vital resources to the County’s vulnerable population.
As the nation commemorates Social Work Month, it is important for the public to recognize that social workers empower and elevate their clients, including some of the most vulnerable in our community. The exceptional work of Social Workers is acknowledged and valued by recognizing March 2019 as Social Work Month in Solano County.
financial impact:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2018/19 Adopted Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt this resolution. This is not recommended as this is an opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of Solano County’s Social Workers.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION