Rockingham County is helping celebrate this year’s Social Work Month in March with the theme “Social Work Breaks Barriers,” to highlight how social workers enrich our community and help residents overcome hurdles that prevent them from living life to the fullest.
Social Work Month gives us the opportunity to inform the public about how social workers have always broken barriers when it comes to the services they provide in an array of sectors.
What’s A Social Worker?
People become social workers because they have a strong desire to help others and make society a better place. Social workers work in many different places, including schools, hospitals, mental health practices, veteran centers, child welfare agencies, the criminal justice system, corporations, and state, federal and local governments. They provide individual counseling and help people overcome issues like food insecurity, lack of affordable housing, or limited access to health care. They also advocate on a systems level to ensure laws and policies are adopted so everyone can access such services.
Typically, social workers complete a Master of Social Work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The state of New Hampshire has one level of social worker, licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW). LICSWs have an accredited master’s or doctoral degree in social work and have passed the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) clinical exam. Those looking to pursue this license must also complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience and 100 hours of individual supervision over two years.
Social work is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). There are currently more than 700,000 professional social workers in the United States. BLS anticipates that number to rise to almost 800,000 by 2030.
The History of Social Work
Social work began more than a century ago. The profession traces its origins to Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Star, who in 1889 opened Hull House in Chicago to provide social services to the area’s immigrant population. Social workers have helped drive significant, positive changes in our nation. Many benefits we continue to see used today such as the 40-hour work week, minimum wage, and Social Security benefits can be attributed to social workers. Notable industry pioneers include anti-lynching advocate and women’s rights activist Ida B. Wells and George Edmund Haynes, a social worker who was co-founder of the National Urban League.
Our Social Work Team
At Rockingham County, our team helps residents adjust to life in their new residence. They identify residents’ psychosocial, mental and emotional needs, advocate for residents’ rights, and provide supportive counselling. Additionally, our social workers actively participate in developing care plans for residents. Social workers help ensure the highest quality of life for residents by fostering a climate that enables residents to maximize their individuality, independence and dignity.
Here are a few examples of how our social workers break barriers in our senior living community today:
- The social work team organize voting days to ensure residents were able to exercise their right to vote.
- We offer residents and families educational sessions and support groups around issues such as Medicare, dementia and hospice services.
- When residents are discharged our social workers provide resources and guidance to help transition residents back into the community.
“Each day, social workers break barriers in a plethora of innovative ways that help seniors live their best lives,” said Senior Director of Long-Term Care, Jason Smith. “During Social Work Month we urge you to educate yourselves about this amazing profession and thank the social workers in your lives.”
Social Services at Rockingham County
Access to a dedicated team of social workers is one of the many services available to Rockingham County residents. Our amenities make our residents’ lives easier so they can enjoy life to the fullest. RCRNC offers short-term skilled rehabilitation, assisted living, and long-term care housing options for older adults.
Our team of admissions experts can help you find the care level that fits best. Contact us today to set up a personal visit today.
For more information, visit www.rockinghamcountyseniorliving.com
RCRNC is owned and operated by Rockingham County, New Hampshire.
