March is Social Work Month and The Legal Aid Society is proud to celebrate the dedication, expertise, and compassion of our social work staff—forensic social workers, assistant forensic social workers, mitigation specialists, and social work supervisors—across our Practices.

This year’s theme, Compassion + Action, reflects the heart of our mission at LAS. Our social work staff live it every day. They don’t just respond to crises—they take proactive steps to address the full scope of our clients’ needs.

With deep empathy and unwavering commitment, they tackle complex legal, personal, and social challenges. Whether advocating for reduced sentences, supporting families, or helping clients navigate housing and immigration challenges, our teams turn compassion into meaningful action to dismantle the inequities our clients face.

You might be surprised by these facts about the vital work of social workers:

#1 Mental Health

Social workers are the number one mental health providers in the United States. Roughly 60% of all mental health services are provided by social workers.

#2 Women

83% of all social workers are women. Some notable female social workers are Jane Addams (the Settlement House movement), Mary Church Terrell (co-founder and first president of the National Association of Colored Women), and Evelyn Lance Blanchard (an Indigenous social worker who was instrumental in the development of the Indian Child Welfare Act).

#3 Beyond the Crisis

Social work goes far beyond crisis intervention. Social workers can also specialize in research, policy reform, community health, counseling, and more.

#4 Systemic Reform

Social workers have long been on the front lines, tackling systemic issues and advocating for change. This work includes the Civil Rights Act, affirming policies for the LGBTQIA+ community, the establishment of Medicare, fighting for unemployment insurance and workers compensation.

#5 Growing

Social work is one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States. By 2033, the number of social workers in the U.S. is projected to reach 806,600 – a 7% growth from 2023.