Social services explained

I am occasionally asked, "What does a Social Worker do?"

Well, to attempt to give the simplest definition, a social worker is someone who is focused on assisting individuals in need. Those needs can range from being a therapist, assisting patients in a hospital with obtaining follow up care and insurance, and a school social worker that assists students and families with supporting them to have their needs met to increase the opportunity for students to succeed well in school. Overall social workers aim to help improve people's quality of life and keep them safe.

In an attempt to help the Pea Ridge community, there will be an upcoming social services workshop. The term social services is used to describe supportive services such as welfare programs (food stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, WIC, etc.). It also can refer to community programs to help individuals with financial hardships and are unable to afford to pay for basic needs. Basic needs can range from food, clothing, medical needs, or finding appropriate professionals for services based on their financial means.

There will be a social services workshop from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 28. The goal is to provide Pea Ridge residents with access and information about area supports and services.

• Resources available include:

• Assistance with applying for Medicaid and/or food stamps

• Assistance and forms to apply for a copy of birth certificates and social security cards

• Information for those interested in being a foster parent

• Information about area agencies and services that provide services to help meet basic needs

• Provide information about available dental, medical and mental health care and providers

(If planning to apply for Medicaid, food stamps, security card, birth certificates, bring a photo ID or driver's license. Parents or guardians will need to know the social security number and location of children's birth place for every child listed on the applications.)

If interested in this event or have any questions, please feel free to email Amanda Childs at [email protected]. The event is free and will be open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 28 at the Pea Ridge Community Library.

Interested persons are welcome to drop in at anytime that is convenient.

We look forward to seeing you!

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Editor's note: Amanda Childs, social worker for Pea Ridge Schools, can be reached at [email protected].