The Oregon Department of Human Services is celebrating National Social Work Month in March to highlight the important work of child welfare staff in the state.
Social workers serve in the Child Welfare Program and in other areas at DHS, which helps 1.5 million Oregon residents from birth through the end of life.
“Social work is an extremely hard fight, but it’s a worthy one,” said Child Welfare Director Marilyn Jones. “Our staff serve our most vulnerable families. We should embrace and champion the work they are doing.”
The Department is sharing appreciation messages to child welfare staff across Oregon, recognizing outstanding work, and thanking the many volunteers, community groups, and nonprofit organizations that support the great work being done by our child welfare staff.
The Department recently named recipients of the annual Tom Moan Memorial Award, which recognizes and promotes leadership and outstanding achievement by caseworkers in the field of child welfare. Moan, who died in 1985, was career child welfare caseworker and administrator in Oregon.
The award went to Brenna Mollerstrom, a child protective services worker in Benton County, and Angie Whittaker, a child protective services worker in Astoria. Mollerstrom’s father was a recipient of the Tom Moan award 10 years ago.
The National Association of Social Workers organizes Social Work Month to educate the public about the invaluable contributions of the profession. More information is available at www.socialworkmonth.org.
