A Social Worker’s Role in the Community

Social workers have an important role in helping marginalized communities and furthering Children’s Bureau’s mission. The field is defined as an academic discipline and profession that concerns itself with individuals, families, groups, and communities to enhance social functioning and overall well-being.

Social workers are essential in the workforce. Their background allows them to assess systems and determine how they can be improved to better meet people’s basic needs, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.

What is a Social Worker?

You can find social workers in schools, hospitals, churches, government jobs, prisons, youth camps, nursing homes, veterans’ programs, and many more settings. At Children’s Bureau, the Chief Program Officer, Director of Prevention and many others are licensed clinical social workers.

As social workers, their goal in each of these roles is to address systemic injustices and ensure that all voices are heard. In some roles, such as Domestic Violence Counselors, social workers may work directly with families and equip them with skills so that they are better prepared to support the well-being of their children. In a role such as a Housing Assistance agent or hospital administrator, they may connect families to resources and other families to reduce isolation and other effects of poverty.

How Social Work Services are Delivered at Children’s Bureau

Children’s Bureau social workers offer services through 22 prevention programs ranging from Mental Health services, Family Enrichment, to an LAUSD Preschool. Some of our programs are home-based. This means that social workers visit family homes to help parents with skill-building and counseling. Other programs are center-based. This means that families can receive services at Children’s Bureau family resource centers.

Children’s Bureau offers social work services to families that need them. When families enter a Children’s Bureau program, program managers will assess the family needs and offer what they determine to be the most beneficial to the family and children. Ultimately the goal is to prevent child-abuse. However; if a child has been abused and is under a social worker’s care, it is their responsibility to advocate for resources, treatment and funding.

How to Contact a Social Worker?

If you or a loved one are in need of social work services, you can call 213-342-0100 and ask to speak to a social worker at Children’s Bureau. Explore our website to learn more about the services we offer near you.

Content originally appeared on Children’s Bureau’s Twitter Chat, #blueandyou, on March 26, 2020.
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Written By: Jose A. Ramos Jr, MSW

Jose is the Director of Primary Prevention at Children’s Bureau. He has worked with Children’s Bureau since 1994 and has over 30-years of experience working in the Child Welfare field. He has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Long Beach and is earning his MBA. Jose is also Secretary of the National Association of Social Workers.