WHEREAS, Virginia social workers selflessly dedicate themselves to the common good and promotion of individual, family, and community well-being out of a genuine desire to make a positive difference in our Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Virginia social workers are first responders to the human condition, providing crucial support, expertise, and compassion in times of crisis; and

WHEREAS, social workers in Virginia are on the frontlines of essential healthcare, courageously supporting those with mental health challenges including substance abuse, depression, and anxiety; and

WHEREAS, social workers work diligently to serve vulnerable older adults, including protecting them from challenges that disproportionately affect this population like scams, elder abuse and isolation; and 

WHEREAS, Virginia social workers are also dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of children, work to keep families together whenever safely possible, and commit themselves daily to improving the lives of children and their parents; and

WHEREAS, by providing prevention, early identification, intervention, and services, social workers support children and families to overcome barriers while promoting fulfillment and academic success; and 

WHEREAS, guided by the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, social work is an honorable and fast-growing profession with a high-demand market for more services and access; and

WHEREAS, Virginia has over 12,000 social workers but currently suffers from workforce shortages in the social work field which deeply affects vulnerable populations and creates workload challenges; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s social workers are committed to the highest professional standards and entrusted to seek supervision without additional regulatory burden; and

WHEREAS, social workers routinely model resilience and adapt quickly to ever-changing research, treatments, technologies, and skills through their lifelong dedication to professional development; and

WHEREAS, school social workers work collaboratively with parents, families, educators, and community partners to ensure that our students have access to the resources and opportunities necessary for a quality education; and

WHEREAS, while advocating for at-risk students and addressing barriers to learning by offering mental health support, crisis intervention and counseling, school social workers enable students to overcome challenges and achieve academic and personal success; and

WHEREAS, National School Social Work Week is observed March 2 through 8^th providing an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the dedication, expertise, and positive impact of School Social Workers across Virginia and the nation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize March 2025, as SOCIAL WORK MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens to join in celebrating and supporting the social work profession.