National Social Work Program
March is National Social Work Month
VA Recognizes National Social Work Month in March
This month, VA salutes the impact social workers make toward the delivery of world-class health care for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors across the nation. Social workers are embedded within most VA departments, including primary care, homeless programs, suicide prevention, the emergency department, mental health, rehabilitation units, community living centers, Vet Centers, and more.
Social Work Month encourages support of the profession, uplifts social workers, and celebrates their contributions. The theme for this year is “Social Work: Commpassion + Action.”
VA Social Workers: Compassion in Action
Social work has been a critical part of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for almost 100 years. The mission of VA Social Work is to assist Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors in resolving Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) that impact health and well-being.
Did you know? 38 U.S.C § 7301 Public Law 271 in 1926 recognized social work as an integral part of the VHA, ensuring professional services to support the mental health and well-being of Veterans. Recognized as essential in the delivery of comprehensive care under the statutory framework governing VHA.
The first VA Social Work Director was appointed into the US Veterans Bureau, Central Office in 1922 and the social work department was established in 1926. VA Social Work expanded from 36 social workers in 1926 to being the largest employer of social workers in nation.
Inspiring Action
Social workers enter the profession because they truly want to help others. They go through years of education, training, and supervision so they can perform the delicate but important work of meeting people where they are and helping them achieve their goals.
Did you know? VA Social Work offers the largest and most comprehensive clinical training program for social workers in the nation, training approximately 1,500 Master of Social Work Health Profession Trainees annually.
Social work is woven into the fabric of VA health care, providing clinical interventions and services that support access to care including resource navigation, crisis intervention, advocacy, case management, advanced care planning, mental health interventions, support related to housing instability, and much more.
Leading Change
March is also National Nutrition Month®. Care Management and Social Work Services, National Social Work Program, and the Nutrition and Food Services are hosting local events together to raise awareness to food security matters. This collaboration moves beyond the dinner table and inspires dietitians and social workers to collectively bring awareness to Veteran food insecurity across VHA and local communities, while inviting Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors to learn about informed food choices and develop healthy eating and physical activity habits.
Whether arranging service member benefit payments, connecting homeless Veterans with housing resources or counseling Veterans with injuries or trauma, VA social workers impact millions of Veterans’ lives.
It is an honor to recognize the invaluable work our VA social workers do every day to serve those who have sacrificed in service to our country.
Connect with VA social workers
If you or someone you know would like to talk to a VA social worker contact your facility social work leader.
Hear from VA social workers
Hear from VA social workers using the YouTube links below:
VA Careers – HUD-VASH Social Work VA Careers – Social Work VA Careers – Social Work Health Professional Trainee VA Careers – Social Work Service Education and Training Coordinator
To learn more about VA social work careers, visit www.socialwork.va.gov/VA_Employment.asp.
Connect with VA social workers
There is a social work leader in every VA health care system to help you get the care you need. The social work leader will connect you to the VA employee who can assist., contact your local VA healthcare system social work leader.
