Raising Awareness about the Importance and Impact of
Human/Social Service Professionals
March is National Professional Social Work month and The Lackawanna County System of Care (SOC) is joining in the celebrations by hosting a “My System of Care Superhero” Contest. The goal of the contest is to tackle human and social service staff recruitment issues by raising awareness of the positive impact of human/social service professionals and the need for these types of workers in our community.
Sponsored by the United Way of Lackawanna & Wayne Counties and Best Buy Dickson City, the “My System of Care Superhero” Contest is part of the Lackawanna County SOC’s efforts to improve staff recruitment in the human/social services field. There is a growing need for human and social service professionals, including direct service professionals, case managers, social workers, licensed social workers and counselors in our community. Without these key positions, people will not be able to receive the care they need to address social concerns and for us to have a healthy and thriving community.
The Lackawanna County SOC efforts include outreach to high school and college students to introduce them to the human services field and the variety of populations they can serve – children, at-risk youth, older adults, behavioral health, intellectual disabilities and more. Additionally, PA Career Link ® will host a career event – “Social Services in Today’s Workforce” on Wednesday, March 18, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be a keynote speaker and break-out sessions where potential employees and employers will have the opportunity to learn about the field and current openings.
Children, youth, young adults, and parents/caregivers are encouraged to share how a social work superhero helped change their life. To participate in the “My System of Care Superhero” contest, nominate a person who has made an impact on your life to be your System of Care Superhero. The contest will begin on January 20. Entries can be submitted in writing, artwork or video to show how social service workers played a valuable role in the lives of the youth and families in our community. Submissions with the attached application can be sent to “My System of Care Superhero” Contest, c/o Office of Youth and Family Services, 123 Wyoming Avenue, 4th Floor, Scranton, PA 18503, or emailed to [email protected], or uploaded to the website at https://mysystemofcaresuperhero.org/nominate.
Submissions are due by Friday, February 28. Winners will be announced on March 18 at the Lackawanna County Government Center. Prizes will be awarded in multiple age groups. We will also recognize both the person who nominated a System of Care Superhero and the SOC Superhero, if named.
For more information, check out our website https://mysystemofcaresuperhero.org.
About the Lackawanna County System of Care
Lackawanna County System of Care (SOC) is an equal partnership of youth, families, and service providers committed to coordinating and enhancing community resources to support all people to thrive in Lackawanna County. The County’s SOC has been meeting since 2016 as part of the PA System of Care Partnership and has more than 30 human and social service organizations that meet monthly to discuss successes and to address concerns regarding the child serving systems in Lackawanna County. The goal is to have greater youth and family participation to help create solutions to problems from their life experience.
For more information about Lackawanna County System of Care, contact Lori Chaffers at either [email protected] or (570) 963-6781, Ext 1192.
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