Key Messages for Social Work Month 2010

• Social workers inspire community action to improve lives.
• Social workers are integral parts of a vibrant community.
• Social workers know the full range of challenges facing families of every description.   
• Social workers advocate for inclusion, fairness and non-discriminatory access to services that help people reach their full potential.
• Social workers make a wide range of social contributions throughout their careers.
• Many social workers work to resolve systemic issues that negatively affect a community.  Some work in education or research, and others work as elected officials, in government or as heads of nonprofit organizations to create positive sustainable change in communities.
• Most social workers serve individuals and families.  Working through private practices, agencies and organizations, they provide resources and guidance that support social functioning. 
• People who become professional social workers believe that there are no limits to human potential and use their talents to help others lead rewarding lives.
• Social work is a profession of hope, grounded in practical problem solving expertise.
• Social work is a desirable field of study for bright and socially engaged people of all ages.
• Professional social workers have a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree in social work from a program or school of social work.  Social work practice is guided by the NASW Code of Ethics.
• Social workers are employed in schools, courtrooms, drug treatment clinics, hospitals, senior centers, shelters, nursing homes, the military, disaster relief, prisons and corporations.
• Social work is relevant to the successful functioning of American society.
• Social workers are on the frontlines, developing social programs that are responsive to such human needs as homelessness, poverty, family break-up , mental illness, physical and mental disability, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence and many other issues.