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WHAT IS

SOCIAL WORK?

Social Work Quick Facts:


Social Workers Change Futures
There are more social workers nationwide than
psychologists, mental health counselors,
Social workers make change possible by working
psychiatrists, and marriage and family therapists
with individuals, families, groups and communities to
combined.
improve human well-being in a variety of ways.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that Social workers are on the front lines advocating for
employment for social workers is expected to people and facilitating positive social change. Do you
grow faster than the average for all occupations want to be a part of the change? The social work
through 2018. profession may be the field for you.

Approximately 31% of all social workers are Courtesy of the National Association of
employed within the government. For more information visit our website: Social Workers, Pennsylvania Chapter
There are more than 40 schools of social work in www.N ASW-PA.o rg
Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth is the second
largest educator of social workers nationwide.
Or connect with NASW-PA through Social Media 717-232-4125
There are approximately 40,000 degreed social
workers throughout Pennsylvania. www.NASW-PA.org

425 N. 21st Street, Suite 401


Camp Hill, PA 17011
Paving the Way for Change
What is Social Work? Where are Social workers
employed?
The main goal of social work is to improve human
well-being and help meet the basic needs of all Social workers are everywhere! They are found
people. Social workers help empower individuals, in hospitals, veteranss clinics, schools, senior
especially those who are vulnerable, oppressed, communities, government, health care facilities,
and living in poverty. Social workers are children and youth agencies, juvenile and adult
committed to social justice and enhancing the corrections facilities, drug and alcohol
quality of life for individuals, families, groups, rehabilitation centers and more.
communities, and systems.

How do I Become a Social Worker?


Who are Social Workers?
Social workers are educated, trained and
Social workers are professionals who have experienced practitioners. In Pennsylvania, an
graduated from an accredited social work individual must earn a bachelor, master or
program at the bachelor, master or doctoral level. doctoral degree from an accredited social work
Social workers enhance the lives of others by program to be called a social worker. The
working to create positive opportunities for the Counsel on Social Work Education provides a list
future. Each social worker uses a large network of approved colleges and universities with social
of resources to help connect a person to work programs. A complete list can be found at
community services that will help them overcome www.cswe.org under the accreditation tab.
challenges.
Social workers are the largest providers of mental What can I do as a social worker?
health services across the nation, with over
642,000 degreed and licensed professionals. Social workers can be found in many settings
There are more social workers than psychologists, including working with individuals, groups,
psychiatrists, professional counselors, and families, and communities, however many social
marriage and family therapists combined. workers are involved in more than one of these.
The Future of Social Work... Direct practice with clients can include therapy,
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects case management, assessment and behavioral
that social work will grow faster than Do social workers follow an i n t e r v e n t i o n . Wi t h i n c o m m u n i t i e s a n d
average when compared to all other ethical code? organizations social workers will often be
occupations. The major areas of predicted involved in community planning, policy
Yes. Social workers follow the NASW Code of development, advocacy efforts, teaching, and
growth in social work include substance Ethics. This comprehensive code sets forth values research. Social workers are trained in many
abuse treatment and prevention, and standards that all social workers follow. The methods of assessment, intervention and
gerontology, autism, public health, and core values of social workers are service, social evaluation and utilize evidence based practice to
work with the military. justice, dignity and worth of all persons, the ensure that clients receive the best services
importance of human relationships, integrity and possible.
competence.
Social Workers Change Futures

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