By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
When we hear about first responders, police officers, firefighters and emergency medical services, as well as other emergency workers often come to mind. Yet social workers are also recognized as first responders, even if most of the general public does not realize it.
“They are on the front lines,” Clay County Department of Social Services Director Todd Goins explained. “If we get the call and it meets statute and policy guidelines, we are responding. They work hard to serve some of the most vulnerable people to ensure they are safe and supported, and then many of them go home at the end of the day to care for their own families.”
Since September is Child Welfare Workforce Development Month, Goins shared what areas child welfare encompasses. “Child Protective Services, which includes intake, assessments investigations and in-home services; permanency planning, or foster care; foster home licensing, adoption, LINKS or independent living,” he said.
So just who are those responders Goins refers to with deep appreciation? When fully staffed, Clay County DSS has 11 social workers, three social work supervisors, two in-home aides, one part-time Community Social Services Assistant and one part-time Veterans Services Officer. The entire agency has 32 positions when fully staffed.
The Clay County Social Work team is made up of Nicole Byrne, James Chandler, Wanda Cook, Savannah James, Ginny Lacek, Rex Ledford, Chelsea Padilla-McCabe, Haven Phillips, Kayla Nelson, Haven Phillips, Courtney Robertson, Debbie Robinson, Kim Spurling, Christin Stiles, Jeryl Waddy and Jennifer White.
“Our social work supervisors are top-notch,” Goins added. “Haven, Courtney and Kayla are experienced, trained, skilled and provide great leadership. The importance of good supervisors in supporting and developing staff cannot be overstated and Clay County is fortunate to have some of the best. They are an asset to the people we work with, to our agency and to our county.”
Like the rest of the state, Clay County Department of Social Services has staff openings. “With September being recognized as Child Welfare Workforce Development month, it seems appropriate to share some social work opportunities in Clay County,” Goins added. These positions are available:
• Permanency planning social worker provides case management services to children and youth and their families after they have been legally removed from their parents or caretakers due to neglect, abuse or dependency.
• Adult services social worker provides case management services for disabled and senior adults which include a variety of programs to include adult protective services, in-home aide, guardianship, payee, SA in-home services, community alternative program and adult care home monitoring.
“We are down three social work positions and our child protective services staff is currently covering both CPS and adult protective services. We are hoping drawing attention to the importance of social workers will help raise awareness,” Haven Phillips, Social Work Supervisor for intake, IA&T and in-home services, reminded, The official job posting says a master's degree in social work or bachelor's degree in social work with one year of directly related experience or a four year degree with three years of directly related experience is preferred.
“If you have a bachelor’s degree and an interest in social work coupled with a passion and heart for helping our community and serving some of our most vulnerable people, I would encourage you to apply,” Phillips said. “The training and skill development will be provided, but the applicant must have a strong work ethic, a heart for people and integrity.”
Goins agreed. “The level of devotion and commitment social work demands is difficult to capture in a few words. It requires a great deal of mental and emotional stamina and strength, high character, resiliency, critical thinking, and compassion.”
Permanency Planning Social Work Supervisor Courtney Robertson is also proud of the staff. “Our Child Welfare workforce in Clay County is so valuable and such an important part of our Community,” she said. “Our staff works hard to protect children and strengthen families, in most often challenging circumstances and without thanks.”
Goins said Clay DSS has a strong team approach.
“The social work staff is always quick to jump in to help and support one another,” he said. “It’s impossible to do social work well without this team environment. We are one of the smallest DSS agencies in the state and that brings its own challenges, but it also means we are very connected to each other and the community. Another extra perk to being a small agency with a team approach is being able to do potluck lunches together – we have some awesome food.”
Robertson agreed. “We try to take a strengths-based approach in our work and it’s important to do so with our staff as well by celebrating, honoring and supporting our local child welfare workforce. Sometimes the smallest progress can be huge victories for the families and children we work with and our staff helps make a difference and celebrate those victories. We can be their biggest cheerleaders if families will let us.”
Goins ended, “We are blessed to have wonderful social workers. Our social work staff is dedicated and caring people committed to serving our community. It takes a special person with a calling to do this type of work — we are fortunate to have a strong social work team serving Clay County.”