SEVENTY-FIVE social workers and case aides will be presented with long service awards during a presentation at Government House this month.
The presentation is one of the highlights of Social Workers Month, which coincides with the 50th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of the Department of Social Services in 1964 with the introduction of ministerial government in the Bahamas as a result of a new Constitution.
That year also saw the appointment of the first Minister of Welfare and the appointment of the country’s first recognised social worker, Mrs Francis Ledee, in September, 1964.
Minister of Social Services and Community Development Melanie Griffin said social workers continue to contribute to every aspect of Bahamian society, including disaster management and relief; family services, rehabilitation and welfare; early childhood development; among many others.
“Social work is a profession that requires a comprehensive knowledge of human development and behaviours and of social, economic and cultural institutions and systems,” Mrs Griffin said.
“The practice of social work encompasses interventions at the individual, group and community levels. In the Bahamas, the Department of Social Services has been the primary government agency to meet the needs of persons seeking help.”
Mrs Griffin said the decision to recognise the work of those social workers with 25 years of service or more (the years of service range from 25 years to 42 years of service) was made “not because they wanted to be recognised, but because they deserve to be recognised for the tireless and extraordinary work they have done in helping to meet the needs of our citizens on a consistent basis.”
“Those people who have benefitted from the work these men and women do on a daily basis know of the value of social workers to our country and people. They do it automatically and are on call all hours and so I think it is high time that they are recognised in this way,” Mrs Griffin added.
A number of activities have been planned for the month, including a panel discussion on Wednesday, March 26, at the Harry C Moore Library at College of the Bahamas campus, which will include a historical overview of the social work profession and the role of the social worker, and a workshop for social workers.
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