CUMBERLAND — March is Social Work Month and I’d like to tell you more about how Allegany and Garrett County social workers are providing a wide range of supports and services for local families of all sizes and descriptions.
In today’s society, family does not always mean the traditional model of married parents with biological offspring. In fact, less than half of America’s children live in a traditional “nuclear” family. Divorced, separated or unmarried parents who have individual or shared responsibility for children now factor into the family definition. So do grandparents caring for grandchildren, gay and lesbian couples with child responsibilities, and adoptive and foster parents. All these American family types come with special strengths, needs and challenges.
Social workers define “family” as two or more people who assume obligations and responsibilities generally conducive to family life. As such, all families deserve support systems that include access to economic resources, health care, employment, education, housing and social services. Poverty, homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, abuse and neglect are key factors for families splitting apart. Social workers are equipped to help families cope with stresses of life and deal with problems associated with these situations. They work through support systems, counseling, coordinating resources and advocating for clients.
Supporting families involves many functions, including: counseling families to find working solutions to problems; placing abused children in nurturing homes; helping to find employment and housing for homeless families; helping pregnant women, adoptive parents and adopted children through states’ adoption systems; Helping those in need make best use of the public welfare system; and aiding women and their children who are victims of domestic violence.
Making the new American family stronger takes a family-centered approach along with a clear view of social problems and the many ways to address them. Social workers are there to help.
Monica Barnett
Adoption worker
Garrett County Department
of Social Services
Letters
Social workers provide wide range of services
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Besides, they’re not interested in dental health
Dear Governor:
I am writing to thank you for your leadership in the recently called special legislative session to avoid the Doomsday budget. -
Here’s why he prefers the school he’s now attending
School is boring but we all have to go, so choose your school carefully. I attend a Christian school because I don’t have to listen to people cussing, teachers and some class mates are caring, and I’m learning about Christ.
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Friends Aware grateful for support of public, legislators
Friends Aware Inc. would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Sen. George Edwards, Delegates Wendell Beitzel, Kevin Kelly and LeRoy Myers and the members of the Allegany County Commissioners for their support of our organization in the awarding of $250,000 through a state bond bill.
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They’re not bad; they just want the same rights
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Sounds like communism didn’t work out too well for them
I read with interest R. Steele Selby’s letter of May 18 (”It may be that God would prefer communism”). I will limit myself to commenting on just one of his arguments.
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Day of Caring, Sharing proves he was right to move here
Being part of 2012 Caring and Sharing (I painted the entrance area at the Gilchrest Center) was yet another example of why Cumberland was the right place to relocate when I retired last summer.
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Will having a casino really be of benefit to Allegany County?
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Their goal is common good, not personal gain
At his request, I am responding to Arthur Squires’ commentary, “She believes despite evidence to the contrary” (May 17 Times-News).
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Common sense says: One high school and a VA hospital
First we build a hospital we did not need in place of two good hospitals. Now the architects tell us we should tear down the former Sacred Hospital to build a new high school we do not need. (“New Allegany architects: Tear it down — all of it,” May 9 Times-News, Page 1A)
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Historic Cemetery Organization sets Memorial Day activities
Once again members of the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization are decorating hundreds of our designated or protected grave sites for the Memorial Day season.
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Besides, they’re not interested in dental health
