March is Social Work Month – a time to recognize, appreciate, and celebrate the important work of social workers. Department of Family Services social workers help break down barriers that prevent people from living more fulfilling, enriched lives. Here are a few examples of the work they do on behalf of children, families, people impacted by gender-based violence, older adults, and adults with disabilities:
- Educate older adults, their caregivers and families about useful resources, preventative screenings, and assessments available to them.
- Investigate reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of to determine if protective services are needed.
- Provide support and resources to people impacted by gender-based violence.
- Help protect children, prevent child abuse and neglect, and support families by helping them remain together safely.
- Staff the Aging, Disability & Caregiver Resources Line and connect callers to services and programs that will help improve their quality of life.
- Advocate on a systems level to ensure laws and policies are adopted so everyone can access such services.
Every day, social workers employed with the Department of Family Services provide invaluable services to the community. Interested in a social work career with Fairfax County? Learn about the value of working with Fairfax County Department of Family Services.
Meet Brittany Vera
Meet Jonathan Bell
Samantha “Sam” Carrico, LCSW recently began working as the Volunteer and Partner Services (VPS) supervisor. Prior to that, Sam was the supervisor for the CPS Sexual Abuse Unit. Sam also serves as the handler for Rylynn, the agency’s first facility dog. As a social worker, Sam is able to use her love for interacting with the community and her passion about child welfare and working with children and families to the fullest. 
“I never thought that I would get into Child Protective Services … until that point where I was like, okay this is a way I feel like I can make a difference and impact families in a different way than maybe I’ve had before.” On this edition of the County Conversation podcast with host Jim Person, Andy Baumert, program manager with Child Protective Services and Protection and Preservation Services Program, explains the challenging work our social workers do to strengthen families and keep children safe in Fairfax. If you are curious about what makes a good social worker and what makes Family Services a good workplace, 
A funny thing happened to Keesha Coke, assistant division director with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, on the way to becoming a therapist. As a way to prepare for graduate work in psychology, she took what she thought would be a temporary social worker position with the Department of Family Services and saw first-hand the power of social work. “I fell in love with social work. I came here 23 years ago, and I’m still here,” she says. On this edition of the County Conversation podcast with host Jim Person talks with Coke about ways social workers who support survivors of intimate partner violence keep the Fairfax community safer and shares why she came to work for the county in 2000 and hasn’t looked back. Want to know what makes a good social worker and why Family Services is such a good place to work?