DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Children & Family Services
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
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Proclamation Of March 2026 As Social Work Month In Dakota County
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Proclaim March 2026 Social Work Month in Dakota County.
SUMMARY
Social Work Month was first celebrated in March 1963 and is celebrated annually to build public support for the profession. Social Work Month 2026 is a time to recognize and celebrate the dedication, compassion, and impact of Social Workers who assist to strengthen individuals, families, and communities every day. Social Workers meet people where they are-advocating for equity, supporting healing, and navigating complex systems with professionalism and heart. In a time of evolving social, economic, and health challenges, their commitment to ethical practice, collaboration, and social justice remains essential. This month honors not only the work Social Workers do, but the values they uphold and the positive change they help create across our communities.
This year’s theme is, “Social Workers: Uplift. Defend. Transform.”
The ability of Social Workers to uplift, defend, and positively affect the millions of people they work with each day is needed now more than ever. Social Workers are on the front lines, helping individuals and communities so they can overcome personal and societal challenges and even thrive.
There are more than 810,000 Social Workers in the United States and it is one of the fastest growing professions in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Social Workers are in all areas of our society-with veterans, in schools, in social service and child welfare agencies, in adoption and foster care, in mental health care and health care, aging services, disability programs, and in local, state, and federal government to name a few.
OUTCOMES
In 2025 our Social Workers:
• Served 250 families through the Parent Support Outreach Program
• Served 690 families in Children’s Mental Health
• Assessed or Investigated 1,248 Child Protection reports
• Served 282 families through Child Protection and Adoption/Guardianship Case Management
• Served 1,036 individuals in Adult Mental Health
• Investigated 898 reports in Adult Protection
• Served 9,864 individuals in case management in Aging and Disability Services
• Completed 1,459 crisis assessments and 316 face to face outreach to individuals in our Crisis Response Unit
• Served 2,567 individuals in Housing programs
• Served 749 individuals in the Substance Use Disorder unit
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends the Dakota County Board of Commissioners recognizes National Social Work Month in March 2026 to honor and recognize Social Workers for their service and dedication to serving our Dakota County residents.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Social Workers positively impact the lives of millions of Americans daily, in hospitals, schools, child welfare agencies, community centers, and within the federal, state and local governments nationwide; and
WHEREAS, for more than a century, Social Workers have worked to improve human well-being, advocate for justice, and support everyone’s basic needs; and
WHEREAS, Social Workers select this profession out of a deep commitment to help uplift, defend, and transform the lives of people, their families and communities; and
WHEREAS, Social Workers assist those navigating trauma, grief, and systemic biases, and help people recover from natural disasters, public health crises, and other issues while transforming their lives in encouraging ways; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 theme, “Social Workers: Uplift. Defend. Transform,” shines a light on the resolute spirit of Social Workers who transform lives while bringing hope, healing, and justice to the communities they serve-especially in times of profound change and challenges.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims March 2026, as Social Work Month, in honor and recognition of the critical contributions of Social Workers across Dakota County, in celebrating and supporting the vital work of Social Workers who uplift, defend, and positively transform our communities each and every day.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Nikki Conway
Author: Suzanne Tuttle