September is Child Welfare Workforce Appreciation Month, a time to recognize the individuals who work tirelessly to support the safety and well-being of children. As someone who is part of the child welfare workforce and has been served by the child welfare system growing up, this month is deeply personal to me.
Child welfare workers rarely get the recognition they deserve.
I entered this field because of my own experiences. Growing up, my family struggled. As a result, we received investigations by a child protective specialist and prevention services, and I even spent time in foster care.
Despite the anxiety and fears I felt at the time, these services saved me and my family. My experiences shaped not only who I am but also the work I feel called to do today. While in foster care, the Administration for Child Services helped me pay for school and covered my housing costs. With that support, I graduated from The State University of New York Potsdam.
Given my own experience, it was no surprise that I was drawn to the field of child welfare. I understand the impact just one child welfare worker can have on the trajectory of a child’s life. I felt a calling to help children who had experiences like mine. I also wanted to use my experiences to help improve the system.
While working towards my master’s degree in social work, I landed a job at ACS. It was a full circle moment. Throughout my career there, I have had the opportunity to wear many hats. I was a frontline child protective specialist, a supervisor and now work as the Director of Peer Advocacy in the Office of Advocacy.
In every role, I think about my younger self and the people who helped me during some of the most challenging days. I also think about the things that could have been done better back then. My lived experiences inform every interaction I have with families. When it comes to children, there is no decision I take lightly. I know how much getting it right matters.
As for my family, with the help of counselors, both my parents have been able to turn their lives around. They both now work in the community, sharing their stories to help and inspire others. My family is an example of how the work of child welfare can have an impact not only on children, but on the families and communities connected to them as well.
Anyone in the field of child welfare would tell you that helping children and seeing families get on the right path is often all the thanks we need. Still, I appreciate that Child Welfare Workforce Appreciation Month provides an opportunity to pause and say thank you to the dedicated workers across the city who do so much on behalf of children and families.
So, to the many child welfare workers who helped me and my family: thank you.
And to my fellow colleagues in this helping profession, please know how much your work means to the future of children across New York City. Your work matters. Your commitment matters. You are deeply appreciated.
