Honoring our child welfare workers

I want to use this space this week to send a very important thank-you note. A public thank-you note to our child welfare workers.

It’s national Child Welfare Worker Appreciation Week and this community needs to know what great people we have helping families and keeping kids safe. Every day at Hamilton County Job and Family Services, nearly 300 employees work in child welfare doing everything from connecting families with services and helping foster kids navigate school to investigating allegations and supporting grandparents who are unexpectedly caring for kids again.

Last year alone, our workers took nearly 51,000 calls on our 241-KIDS hotline, provided services to almost 18,000 kids and finalized 195 adoptions.

Margie Weaver, our Children’s Services director, emphasizes that no matter the job, every role in Children’s Services is integral to the safety, permanency and well-being of Hamilton County’s Children and Families.

I was lucky enough to attend an appreciation luncheon our Children’s Services leadership held for staff. We had our employee assistance program and resiliency teams on hand to remind everyone how much self-care help we offer. The jobs they do can be difficult to leave at the office.

Among the things I told people there is something I really believe: “The work you do today is some of the most meaningful on earth and our community is better off because of your dedication.” 

by Jane Prendergast

Filed Under: From the Director, News