Dragon Info

To Make a Difference
The Heroes of Social Work and Those They Help
by Richard Bermack

Download To Make A Difference in Acrobat form SWA.pdf

“I didn’t want anyone to find out that my mother was on drugs and we were homeless. Tamika Bennett was homeless. Now she has a college degree and counsels foster youth

The child welfare system is in a state of crisis due to a lack of resources. The following is a short history of legislative attempts at documenting the crisis from the late 1999 to 2003. $300 Million Foster and Child Welfare Package Child Welfare Reform AB 364 May Revise Childwelfare work study SB2030 documenting the need for more social workers Analysis of Work load study California State Auditor Little Hoover Commission Dragon Reports

Social work is about transformation and change.

It is about healing relationships. It is about providing a sense of well being to those whose lives have been fractured.

Social work is a profession for those who care about other people and want to reach out to those in trouble. It is a profession for those who believe in the power of people to change and the power to give people a better future.

It is about helping parents create nurturing homes for their children.

It is about freeing children from the scars of childhood abuse so that they can grow up to raise healthy children, breaking the cycle of abuse.

It is about helping people with disabilities to live fuller lives and protecting the elderly so that they can live out their lives with peace and security.

California needs more social workers. A recent study by the state legislature found that to protect California's children, families, and adults adequately, counties need twice the number of social workers they currently employ. But instead of being able to hire more social workers, the recent fiscal crisis may lead to cutbacks in services.

To Make a Difference is an exhibit and a campaign about healing and the possibility of change. It is about society committing the resources to help all its members live fulfilling lives. It is about communities being able to reclaim those at risk, and those less fortunate.

Exhibit launched March 13, 2002

You can download and view and Acrobat file of the work-in-progress, SWA.PDF. If you would like to receive more information about the project, and be informed about the exhibit venues, e-mail: richard@rb68.com .

Monumental Child Welfare Study reveals why the system is failing

To Make a Difference, the social worker awareness campaign, was a coalition effort by Service Employees International Union Local 535 Children's Services Committee, and a coalition of groups including the National Association of Social Workers California Chapter, County Welfare Directors Association of California, California Assembly Human Services Committee Chair Dion Aroner, University of California School of Social Work Dean James Midgley, and other community and children's advocacy groups.