To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Proclaim March 2026 as Social Work Month in Contra Costa County
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution declaring March 2025 as Social Work Month in Contra Costa County as recommended by the Employment and Human Services Director.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact for this action.
BACKGROUND:
Social Work Month was first celebrated in March 1963 to build public support for the profession. It is now an event celebrated by hundreds of thousands of social workers and their supporters each year across the country.
This year’s theme is “Social Workers: Uplift. Defend. Transform.” and honors the prime mission of the Social Work profession: to enhance human well-being, meet the basic needs of all people, and place special attention on the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty; and
Contra Costa County employed 1,126 Social Workers in 2025 at Contra Costa Health, Employment & Human Services, and the Public Defender’s Office. Contra Costa County Social Workers collaborate with Social Workers serving in schools and a variety of community-based organizations to support our community members.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
No formal recognition of Contra Costa County social workers.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This resolution supports all five of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes of the Children’s Report Card: (1) “Children Ready for and Succeeding in School”; (2) “Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood”; (3) “Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient”; (4) “Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing”; and (5) “Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.”
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
In the matter of proclaiming February 2026 Social Work Month in Contra Costa County
WHEREAS, Social Work is a profession truly dedicated to helping people improve their well-being and enhance their basic and complex needs, especially those who are vulnerable, oppressed, or living in poverty; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 Social Work Month theme “Uplift. Defend. Transform.” honors the prime mission of the Social Work profession: to enhance human well-being, meet the basic needs of all people, and place special attention on the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty; and
WHEREAS, the ability of Contra Costa County Social Workers to uplift, defend, and positively transform the lives of our community members is more important than ever, as our social safety net faces growing strain from federal funding and policy changes, discrimination affecting transgender people and people of color, and increasing mental health and substance use challenges; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, Contra Costa County had 1,126 Social Workers who positively touched the lives of residents each day through human services programs, medical clinics and hospitals, and the court system; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, 768 social workers of Contra Costa Health, serving as mental health clinicians, medical social workers, substance use counselors, housing care managers, outreach workers, health navigators, community health workers, and public health nurses provided vital services and supports to address the physical, behavioral, and social health needs of the community; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, the eight Social Workers, six Case Managers and four MSW/BASW interns of the Public Defender's Office advocated for and connected more than 1,720 clients through assessment, transportation, holistic intervention partnership, substance abuse treatment coordination, mental health diversion, youth defender social work, re-entry support, and services to promote health, well-being, and prosocial engagement, while also educating stakeholders and partners in the criminal justice system on the benefits of the holistic defense model. The Public Defender is also adding social worker support for Care Court case load to be implemented in Contra Costa County in 2025; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, the 340 Social Workers of the Employment & Human Services Department protected children and youth from abuse and neglect by receiving and responding to 9,152 Child Protective Services referrals; supported 879 children and youth in foster care and guardianship placements; protected an average of 874 older and disabled adults each month from abuse and neglect; ensured 17,483 In-Home Supportive Services consumers were able to live safely and independently at home; and assisted 3,850 parents to overcome barriers to employment; and
WHEREAS, Social Workers are on the frontlines in helping our community solve pressing social problems; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County Social Workers respect the dignity and worth of all people and help advocate for human rights, including for people of all nationalities, genders, ethnicities, cultures, colors, faiths, languages, and preferences; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County Social Workers collaborate with and appreciate Social Workers serving in schools and a variety of community-based organizations.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that in recognition of the numerous contributions by Contra Costa County’s Social Workers, we proclaim the month of March 2026 as Social Work Month, in celebration and support of this noble profession.