Olmsted County recognizes Social Work Month
Olmsted County is celebrating this year’s Social Work Month in March with the theme “Social Work Breaks Barriers,” to highlight how social workers have enriched our society by empowering people and communities to overcome hurdles that prevent them from living life to the fullest.
“Olmsted County social workers work each day to break down social barriers and advocate for their clients and community,” said Olmsted County Deputy Administrator Travis Gransee. “They work to help people overcome personal crises like food insecurity, lack of affordable housing, substance use problems, domestic violence, mental health illnesses, or limited access to good health care. They also advocate for equal rights for all, including people of color, people who are Indigenous, people who are LBGTQIA2S+, and people who follow various faiths.”
Social workers can be found working in various Olmsted County departments including Adult and Family Services, Child and Family Services, Community Corrections, and Housing. Olmsted County social workers are dedicated to providing essential services and resources for our residents.
“While the roles of our social workers are varied, their impact on our community is undeniable. We are thankful for the dedicated social workers that work for Olmsted County,” said Olmsted County Director of Adult and Family Services Amy Thompson.
“Social workers in Child and Family Services partner with families to support safety and well-being. They work together to overcome barriers in difficult situations. I am continuously impressed with the dedication that social workers bring to this challenging and rewarding work,” noted Olmsted County Director of Child and Family Services Amy Rauchwarter. “Thank you for all you do!”
“Community Corrections social workers are an asset to our department,” said Director of Dodge & Olmsted Community Corrections Nikki Niles. “This team of social workers is diligent at assisting and advocating for their clients that may also be involved in the criminal justice system. They are in-step with their clients in every capacity supporting and providing all resources available to help them succeed.”
“Social workers on our Housing Stability team are some of the hardest working people on our team. Day after day, they work with people struggling to obtain and maintain housing and work to connect them to the necessary resources to find a place to call home,” Olmsted County Housing Director David Dunn explained.
During Social Work Month, Olmsted County encourages the community to learn more about this amazing profession, say a kind word to the social workers in your lives, and advocate for policies and legislation that benefit the social work profession and the populations they serve. For more information, visit the National Association of Social Workers website.