The National Association of Social Workers begins its annual celebration of one of the nation’s largest professions next month. March is National Professional Social Work Month and this year’s theme, “Weaving Threads of Resilience and Advocacy,” emphasizes the value of using personal strengths and self-advocacy to manage serious life challenges.
“Social workers strive every day to help millions of people function better in their environments,” says NASW CEO Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH. “They also work to change environments that may limit individuals, families and communities.”
McLaren Homecare Group recognizes the importance of the social work profession, especially as it relates to end-of-life care. The hospice social worker is a certified medical social worker (MSW) who has in-depth knowledge and expertise in working with ethnic, cultural, and economic diversity; family and support networks; multidimensional symptom management; bereavement; interdisciplinary practice; interventions across the life cycle; and navigating health care systems. Their dedication enhances quality of life and promotes well-being for our patients, families, and caregivers.
“Our democracy thrives when everyone has the opportunity to lead a productive and fulfilling life,” says NASW President Jeane Anastas, PhD, LMSW. “For more than 100 years, the social work profession has made the psychosocial well-being of the most vulnerable its top priority because everyone deserves to dream bigger.”
Recognized as a top growth profession, social work directly addresses the increased demand for health care navigation, mental health services, family caregiving, child development, and veterans’ assistance. There are currently more than 650,000 professionally trained social workers in the United States, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job growth to 800,000 by the year 2020.
From 1931 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Jane Addams to 1994 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Dorothy I. Height, Social Work Pioneers® have been instrumental in advancing civil rights and human rights policies in America. Today, social work professionals continue to influence and improve services in hospitals, schools, businesses, military branches, government, and thousands of non-profit and community organizations across the country.
For more information about Social Work Month 2013 or the social work profession, visit SocialWorkMonth.org.
For more information about McLaren Homecare Group, or to make a referrral, call (866) 323-5974 or visit the website at mclaren.org/homecaregroup.
About McLaren Homecare Group
McLaren Homecare Group provides community-based home health care, palliative care, hospice, home medical supplies and equipment, home infusion and pharmacy services for the McLaren Health Care system. Divisions include McLaren Homecare, McLaren Hospice, McLaren Home Medical, and McLaren Pharmacy which collectively serve more than 25 counties throughout Michigan. While the central office is located in Genesee County, Michigan, McLaren Homecare Group also maintains regional offices in Macomb County, Ingham County and Bay County, along with retail storefronts in 17 locations throughout southeast and mid-Michigan.
About The National Association of Social Workers
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with nearly 145,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.