• By Todd Luck
• Posted Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Social workers celebrated at luncheon

Social workers at the Forsyth County Department of Social Services celebrated Social Work Month with a special appreciation luncheon held on Thursday, March 14.

Family and Children’s Services Division held the event for its social workers last week with games, prizes, food and fellowship. The division’s mission is to encourage and provide for the safety, well being, and permanence of children by supporting and enhancing family systems. It has approximately 127 employees and its services include adoption and foster care, child protective services and family counseling. Last month, the division had more than 500 active cases, many involving multiple children.

“Our goal is to protect the vulnerable children of our community, so that’s what we strive to do on a daily basis,” said Social Work Program Manager Linda Alexander.

There are 680,000 social workers in the United States. March was first officially recognized as National Social Work Month in 1984 and this year’s theme is “Elevate Social Work.”

“We try to tell them every day that we appreciate them, but this is a tangible way to show it,” said Social Work Program Manager Kim Nesbitt.

Family and Children’s Services Director John Thacker told the social workers gathered at the luncheon that they’re on the front lines of child welfare.

“You are the heartbeat of Forsyth County when it comes to keeping children and families safe,” said Thacker.

Department of Social Services Director Victor Isler also praised their hard work and told them they’re a beacon of best practices in their field.

“There’s nothing like this division,” said Isler.

For more pictures from the event, please visit Forsyth County’s Facebook page.