The Dauphin County Commissioners recognized county social workers this week – and awarded several Children & Youth Services staffers – in honor of Social Work Month.

Amber Torres was awarded Caseworker of the Year, and Stacie Barrett was honored for her Outstanding Contributions to Social Work.

Commissioners Mike Pries, Chad Saylor, and George P. Hartwick, III also recognized Honorable Mentions Ben Ocasio, Matt Wallace, and Aesha Wiggins.

“There are so many things to celebrate about our hardworking social services staff,” Commissioner Hartwick said. “You are the ones in the field every day, sacrificing yourselves to protect our kids and families.”

The commissioners presented a proclamation for Social Work Month to Human Services Director Randie Yeager and CYS Director Marisa McClellan. The theme for this month is “The Time is Right for Social Work.”

“When residents are in a time of great need, you are there, 24/7, 365 days a year,” Commissioner Chair Pries said to a room full of human services staff.

Dauphin County is working to bolster and retain staff as, nationally, social workers are difficult to retain in county departments.

“You all know the biggest rewards from this work are not on the paycheck – but in the satisfaction of protecting a child from harm,” Commissioner Saylor said.

Among the special guests for the March 9 ceremony were Dauphin County Dependency Judges John F. Cherry and John J. McNally.

“Thank you for inspiring the children you work with,” President Judge Cherry said. “We remove bad, sometimes heinous people, from children, and at the top of the list of those helping kids are the caseworkers.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett Hambright, Press Secretary, 717-780-6311; bhambright@dauphinc.org.