Alabama Department of Public Health Recognizes Social Work Month
MONTGOMERY — March is recognized as Social Work Month, a time to honor the dedication and contributions of social work professionals who help promote the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/
The 2026 theme for Social Work Month is “Social Work: Uplift, Defend. Transform.” The theme highlights the important role social workers play in helping people reach their fullest potential and improving quality of life in communities across the country.
Within the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), social workers serve as part of a multidisciplinary team of professionals who use their training, knowledge, and community resources to promote positive health outcomes. Public health social workers often act as liaisons in their communities, educating residents and advocating for changes that address complex social and health-related challenges.
Bill Kennedy, director of Public Health Social Work at ADPH, said the work of public health social workers focuses on removing barriers that impact the health of individuals and families.
“Public health social workers address barriers to help improve the health of the people and communities we serve,” Kennedy said. “Their work to uplift, defend, and strengthen Alabamians is done while respecting personal choice.”
Social workers within ADPH provide direct services to residents across the state in a variety of programs and settings. A key part of their role involves connecting individuals with resources, advocating for their needs, and helping build healthier communities.
ADPH social workers support numerous programs at both the county and state levels. These include 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 programs, Emergency Preparedness, Family Planning Care Coordination, HIV Care Coordination, Home Health services, Licensure and Certification, Maternal Mortality Review, Newborn Hearing Screening, Newborn Screening Care Coordination, STD services, Suicide Prevention, Telehealth, Tobacco Prevention, Tuberculosis programs, and the Well Woman and WISEWOMAN programs.
More information about the Alabama Department of Public Health and its programs is available online at alabamapublichealth.gov.
