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Friday, September 7, 2018

Interview: a Social Worker with the DSS, Making a Difference



Today, In the Way features an interview with a friend of mine who works for the Department of Social Services. I appreciate her willingness to help us understand her job and the needs of others. I want to expose my readers to women in several different areas of work where they can impact others for Christ and make their world a better place.

Jesus said, And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me (Matthew 19:5-6).

In the WayHi, Social Worker. Welcome to In the Way. Can you share with us what made you interested in being a social worker in the first place and how you arrived at this career?
Social Worker—My journey to working with the Department of Social Services has been one of narrowing down my gift sets and desires. My education did not prepare me best for my work but it laid the groundwork for valuing people in their brokenness. My education and my early years of work can be narrowed down to services of “helps,” but they were limited to the privileged. Over time, my experiences showed me that poverty and resource deprivation were tremendous contributors to the clients that I work with today.

ItWCan you describe the kinds of cases you deal with?
Social Worker—Cases fall into the categories of:
  • Physical Neglect—Basic needs of the child (food/shelter/supervision)
  • Physical Abuse—Long lasting marks and bruises to the body, broken bones, and if the child is positive for the same drug that the parent is positive for
  • Substantial Risk of Physical Abuse—Same as above except we are stating that if something in the environment does not change, then the child would have ended up physically abused.
  • Sexual Abuse—Sexual abuse committed by the adult in loco parentis or was known by the adult and they did not do anything to protect the child and end the abuse
  • Substantial Risk of Sexual Abuse—Same as above, there are factors, which if they do not change, would result in the child being sexually abused.
  • Medical Neglect—The child has a diagnosable condition that the parents will not treat.

ItWDo you work mostly with children or their parents?
Social Worker— The focus is to ensure the children’s safety and setting them up to thrive while they are in foster care. Our role with the parents is to be a help as they complete court ordered classes that we choose for them.

ItWDo you speak another language? If so, have you ever used it in dealing with your clients?
Social Worker— I am bilingual but have not taken the test to use that gift in this work. The liability is very high if you make a mistake.

ItWWhat kinds of cases have been your most difficult?
Social Worker—Sexual abuse and physical abuse are the most difficult cases to work at the onset. The cases are hard on the children and they are also hard to gauge when trying to work with parents who want their children back in their care. Part of the social worker’s job is to track behavior changes and not just assessing that parents complete services. 

ItWAre you able to follow up people you've invested in, or do they go somewhere else in the system?
Social Worker—I work in foster care unit that focuses on cases where children can be reunified. My unit tends to be connected with the same families six months at a time.

ItWBeing a committed Christian, how does this affect your work and ministry?
Social Worker—If you do not believe that justice and mercy are extended past the systems that we work in, then I am not sure how you continue to give people hope. As much as I may try to give hope to people through resources and connections, it is limited, and it fails. If you don’t have a belief that one day all things will be made right, it is incredibly hard to work with the poor and the abused.

ItWSince you work for the State, are you able to share Christ with those you're counseling?
Social Worker—You cannot openly promote any religious preference/belief system. You can engage with terms like, “Do you have a faith based support system you can ask for help?” I am a social worker in the South. Religion and belief in God comes up often since it is cultural. This has opened doors to talk about God.

ItWCan you share what brings you joy in your job?
Social Worker—I love being involved in protecting children and keeping them safe. I love seeing their physical, emotional, and mental wounds heal. I also love supporting the parents/guardians who have never had the opportunities that the middle and upper classes enjoy.

ItWIn closing, how would you like other Christians to pray for you and those of you in Social Services who are Christians helping needy people?
Social Worker—It's extremely daunting to be involved in working in trauma every day. The story lines we hear and the cases we work with are not the “norm” for most people. It is easy to forget that justice will come. It's important to remember the extent of people’s pain and suffering.

ItWThank you so much for your insights. I hope that my readers will be challenged with the needs of hurting children and families and will be reminded to pray for those who are abused and neglected. Thank you for being the kind of social worker who truly cares. We appreciate the work you do.

Then were there brought unto him (Jesus) little children,
that he should put his hands on them, and pray:
and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said,
Suffer little children, and forbid them not,
to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
 (Matthew 19:13-15)




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