Social workers deserve praise for their contributions

There are more than 600,000 social workers in the U.S.

Each day social workers help people overcome life's challenges so they can live more fulfilling lives. This is why shedding light on social workers' positive daily impact is so important.

Social workers are in our schools, working with parents, teachers and administrators to ensure children reach their full potential.

Social workers stand by the side of vulnerable children helping them form new families through adoption or protecting them when they are neglected, abandoned or abused.

It is social workers who account for the largest group of mental health services providers in the U.S. putting out a helping hand to pull people out of the morass of mental illness and substance abuse disorders.

Social workers are active in our communities and in federal and state government, pushing for programs, policies and legislation that benefit some of the most vulnerable people in our society, including children and families who are battling poverty and hunger.

We at the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services are proud of all of the work that our 80 social workers do throughout the state to further the success of youth and families. Please join us in wishing them all a Happy National Social Work Month!

Stacy Gromatski, President and CEO, Florida Network of Youth and Family Services

Tallahassee

This story was originally published March 18, 2016 at 7:32 PM with the headline "Social workers deserve praise for their contributions ."