Social work in the United States has become a diverse field of work, and it stands out from medicine, psychology, and other helping professions in its commitment to address both the individual and environmental factors that improve human well-being. This unique combination is rooted in social work’s history; many early social workers were involved in direct aid to disadvantaged people but also took part in activism. Modern social work practice is rooted in that dual goal of helping individuals while addressing the root problems of society, as such, social workers can be found in a wide variety of settings from the university classroom to the company boardroom.
Social Work Education
The path for most US social workers starts in the university. Though not every social worker has a Bachelor's (BSW) or Master’s of Social Work (MSW), most people who identify as social workers have some formal education in the field. Many public and private four year universities offer a major (path of study) in social work. Graduates of those programs earn a BSW and are qualified to work in a number of settings as behavioral aids, caretakers, program coordinators, and caseworkers.
Students can earn an MSW after two more years of dedicated study at a graduate school. Following formal education, those holding a MSW can, after around two to five years of supervised practice, become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW, note also that clinical titles vary widely by state). LCSWs are certified by their state to provide psychological counseling to individuals and groups and often also identify themselves as a social worker--they may also use the titles therapist, counselor, or clinical social worker. Some clinical social workers also specialize in the treatment of addictions and may have additional credentials like Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) or Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC).
Practice Settings Today
Modern social work in the US is broad in scope but still focused on helping disadvantaged people directly while also addressing the systemic injustices in modern society. Therefore, social workers can be found in a variety of settings.
Healthcare
Some organizations regularly employ social workers. The first are healthcare organizations and can include mental health agencies, hospitals, clinics, senior centers/hospice care, and anywhere else healthcare is delivered. These organizations often employ LCSWs, who provide psychological therapy, and case workers, who focus on behavioral healthcare and make community referrals. Caseworkers often have a deep understanding of local, state, and federal social programs as they regularly help their clients understand what they qualify for and help them to apply.
Schools
Social workers are also commonly found in schools. Large public schools often employ social workers both as therapists and as community resource managers.
The therapists work closely with teachers and other school staff to provide mental health services on-site, so students miss fewer classes to receive therapy. Community resource managers often help students ensure they are getting the care they need to be successful in school. Depending on the size and level of resources at the school these social workers may help students with a number of issues: directing buses to help students get to school, helping homeless families find resources, coordinating free breakfast/lunch programs, helping students secure school supplies, mediating in conflict between students, and even career counseling. In small public schools, a school counselor will often wear many hats and address students' needs as they arise.
These positions are funded either by taxes collected at the local level to support the schools themselves or, in the case of therapeutic services, a therapist’s salary is paid by local mental health agencies which are in turn funded through state, federal, and private insurance programs.
Social Work with Youth
In addition to working as a school employee, social workers often organize extra programming for troubled children and youth. Social workers might organize after-school groups to engage youth in the time between the end of the school day and when parents finish work. These can take place at the schools themselves or at a location that offers attractive activities such as billiards or foosball (Kicker). With the youth in one place, social workers often plan lessons or activities that address social issues and offer opportunities to engage in discussions, sports, meditation, and games.
Child Protection
Social workers are the primary workforce of US Child Protection Services (CPS), the federal agency responsible for the wellbeing and protection of minors. CPS offices are managed at either the state or county level and are staffed by employees with a degree in social work or a closely related field.
The primary mission of CPS is to first ensure the safety of children and, when possible, keep the original family together. After a suspected case of abuse is reported to CPS, a social worker will meet the family to investigate the claim and seek ways for the family to improve the safety environment of the child. The social worker may make referrals to community services like mental and behavioral healthcare, public assistance, or treatment for substance dependence.
If, after several meetings, the social worker and a judge deem the environment to be unsafe for a child to stay in, the child will be removed and placed with relatives, a foster family, or a therapeutic group home - often necessary for children who have experienced severe trauma or display behavioral issues - with the goal of reunification. If reunification cannot be achieved, the social worker will seek a permanent placement for the child.
If the child belongs to the Native American community, the social worker is also bound by the Indian Child Welfare Act to make all attempts possible to place the child with relatives or a foster home within the tribal community.
Other Settings
In addition to these common practice settings, social workers often get involved with political advocacy and community organizing. Social workers also occasionally run for office and serve as elected officials at all levels of government. Social workers may even be found in the business setting to help employees build their emotional intelligence or provide anti-bias training. Jails and prisons often employ social workers to help reform convicted criminals. Nine refugee resettlement agencies operate in the United States and employ social workers to help new arrivals integrate in their new communities.
Funding
Funding for social workers is as diverse as the profession. Each practice setting has different funding parameters and challenges. Those engaged in private practice set their rates for individual and group sessions and must sometimes negotiate with their client’s health insurance provider. When the client is insured under a government funded insurance program the therapist’s rates are determined by state and federal legislation.
Those working in a non-profit organization (similar to the German gemeinnützige Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung – gGmbH) are often involved with fundraising process of their organization and write grants requests to state, local, and federal government as well as to private philanthropic organizations. Some social workers at non-profits may even organize fundraisers in their community. How non-profits are funded depends on the structure and priorities of that organization and can vary widely.
Conclusion
Social workers are embedded at almost every level of American society from working with the individual, to organizing in their community, to working for multinational corporations or serving as an elected official. While this overview offered a glimpse at this multifaceted career, it couldn’t cover every aspect of a field that is still evolving today. Every US state and territory has its own laws that shape the profession, and each university with a school of social work takes a different approach to its education. The best way to learn more is to engage with US social workers and exchange perspectives.
Zak Reimer is a social worker based in Berlin, Germany. He is a fellow at Social Science Works in Potsdam, therapist/founder at Calibrated Counselling, and an adjunct professor at the University of Montana, School of Social Work.
