Social Work Month honors the many contributions of social work professionals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Bill Kennedy, (334) 206-5664

March is Social Work Month, a time to celebrate social work professionals, their dedication, and many contributions that promote the health and well-being of individuals, groups and communities. The theme for 2026 is "Social Work: Uplift, Defend. Transform." This theme emphasizes how social workers positively transform the people with whom they work each day, helping them to live to their fullest potential.

Social workers in the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) are members of a multidisciplinary team of professionals who use social work values, knowledge, and community resources to promote positive health outcomes. Public health social workers act as liaisons within their communities, educating and advocating for positive changes to address complex social problems.

Bill Kennedy, director of Public Health Social Work at ADPH, said, "Public health social workers address barriers to help improve the health of the people and communities we serve. Their work to uplift, defend, and strengthen Alabamians is done while respecting personal choice."

Social workers provide direct services to many Alabamians across a variety of settings and programs within the department. An important part of their work is connecting people with resources, advocating for their needs, and promoting healthier communities.

ADPH programs in which social workers serve at the county and state level include the following: the Alabama Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Program, the Alabama Personal Responsibility Education Program, ALL Babies, ALL Kids Children's Health Insurance, Child Car Seat Training, Community Affairs, Diabetes Self-Education, Elevated Lead, Emergency Preparedness, Family Planning Care Coordination, HIV Care Coordination, Home Health, Licensure and Certification, Maternity Mortality Review, Newborn Hearing Screening, Newborn Screening Care Coordination, STD, Suicide Prevention, Telehealth, Tobacco Prevention, TB, Well Woman and WISEWOMAN programs.

Information about the ADPH and its programs for Alabamians of all ages is available at alabamapublichealth.gov.

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3/5/26

County health departments throughout Alabama provide a wide range of confidential and professional services. Contact your local county health department for additional information.

Mission: To promote, protect, and improve Alabama's health

Vision: Healthy People. Healthy Communities. Healthy Alabama.