County recognizes National Social Work Month and highlights client supports

Delaware County marked National Social Work Month during its March 4 council meeting with a presentation from Chris Welch, interim chief of community supports and human services, who described social workers’ roles across county agencies and highlighted examples of client‑focused interventions.

Welch said social workers operate in Children and Youth Services, the Office for the Aging (COSA), the public defender’s office and at reentry services at George W. Hill, and described case‑management work that helps clients obtain housing, treatment and stabilizing supports. He said some county social‑work units have requested client emergency funds from the Delaware County Interactive Gaming Authority and listed uses — eviction prevention, emergency housing, transit passes and basic supplies.

Nut graf: The presentation framed social workers as a county resource for crisis response, long‑term case coordination and reentry planning, and noted county efforts to standardize shelter expectations and training in the 2026 budget year.

Examples cited: Welch recounted a public‑defender social worker who helped a client with psychiatric and substance‑use needs secure bail modification, housing with case management and outpatient services, leading to stabilization and enrollment in an alternative‑rehabilitation program.

What’s next: the presentation was ceremonial and informational; no policy action was taken. Council members and residents thanked social‑work staff and county agencies for their work.

Quotable: "Social workers are Delaware County's commitment to our residents that their quality of life matters," Welch said.

Ending: The council recognized social‑work staff and supported continued investment in shelter and case‑management standards during 2026 budget planning.