Social Work Month 2025: Compassion + Action
By Sachie German Koufalis, LMSW, MPH, CCM
I didn’t always know I wanted to be a social worker. When I graduated from college, I needed a job as soon as possible—I was “underhoused”, moving from one friend’s home to another after my mother relocated to Puerto Rico. A friend who had been in foster care told me he could help me get a job. He took me to Abbott House, a foster care agency, where I was hired immediately. Before that, I worked part-time as a bank teller, but my true passion was writing. I spent much of my time writing and attending free poetry workshops at NYC libraries, the quintessential NYC kid.
Everything changed when I was assigned the case of a nine-year-old girl who had been removed from her mother’s home for the second time. She desperately wanted to be adopted by her previous foster parents. I was the one returning her to their home, and without GPS, I relied on printed MapQuest directions—but I got lost. With a sense of urgency beyond her years, that nine-year-old girl directed me through highways and back roads, navigating like a seasoned driver just to get home. I could feel her desperation. It was a moment that still sticks with me, the moment I truly understood how critical social work is. Social work isn’t just a job; it’s about being there for people in their most vulnerable moments. It’s about compassion + action, a perfect reflection of this year’s Social Work Month theme.
The Role of Social Workers in Healthcare Quality
Social workers and case managers play an essential role in healthcare quality by addressing health-related social needs (HRSN)the non-medical factors that impact health, such as access to nutritious food, stable housing, transportation, and social support. Without intervention, these challenges lead to poorer health outcomes, increased hospitalizations, and higher healthcare costs.
Clinical quality measures related to food insecurity, housing instability, and transportation barriers, such as the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Social Need Screening and Intervention (SNS-E), help health plans track and address these critical social needs in patient populations. Social workers and case managers are experts in navigating these challenges. They are trained to identify gaps and connect individuals to the necessary resources.
Key Areas Where Social Workers Make a Difference
- Food Insecurity: Many patients struggle with access to nutritious food, which directly impacts their health. Social workers connect individuals and families with food assistance programs such as SNAP benefits, food pantries, and meal delivery programs. By addressing food insecurity, they help prevent chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease from worsening.
- Housing Instability: Safe, stable housing is essential for health and well-being. Social workers assist patients experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity by coordinating with local agencies, community-based organizations, and government agencies. They work to secure emergency housing funds and advocate long-term housing solutions. Additionally, they collaborate with healthcare providers to ensure housing stability is integrated into discharge planning.
- Transportation Barriers: Lack of reliable transportation prevents individuals from attending medical appointments and accessing necessary treatments. Social workers address this by arranging non-emergency medical transportation, ensuring that patients can receive timely care.
Mental Health and Social Support
In healthcare settings, social workers and case managers serve as the bridge between patients leaving the hospital and their ability to access ongoing care. One of the most critical aspects of this transition is ensuring mental health support. Social workers provide direct counseling, connect patients to therapists and psychiatrists, and help navigate insurance coverage for behavioral health services.
Clinical quality measures such as Depression Screening and Follow-Up for Adolescents and Adults (DSF-E) allow health plans to identify individuals at risk, ensure timely follow-up care, and track overall improvements in mental health outcomes. Early screening for depression and social needs can be lifesaving, it ensures that those struggling are not overlooked and receive the care and resources they need.
Why Clinical Quality Measures Like SNS-E and DSF-E Matter
The work being done in clinical quality around measures like SNS-E and DSF-E is essential for social workers and case managers. These measures help identify individuals facing significant social and mental health challenges and ensure they receive the right support. By educating social workers and case managers on these measures, we empower them to advocate for systemic change and ensure that healthcare is equitable and accessible for all. Implementing these measures strengthens the impact of social work and case management, providing data-driven insights that support funding, policy changes, and program improvements.
Compassion Alone is Not Enough—Action Must Follow
As we celebrate Social Work Month, it’s essential to recognize that compassion alone is not enough—action must follow. Social workers and case managers transform lives by addressing the root causes of health disparities and ensuring that individuals receive the care and support they need.
For those of us in healthcare, we know how crucial social workers and case managers are. When social workers reach out to people leaving the hospital, they’re doing more than coordinating care, they’re creating connections that can change lives. Social workers and case managers are more than providers; they are advocates, navigators, and lifelines.
This Social Work Month, let’s commit to supporting these professionals in their mission to turn compassion into action. The work we do matters because everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and supported.
I am always proud to be a social worker and happy to celebrate with you all.
Happy Social Work Month!
For more information on this year’s Social Work Month theme, visit the NASW website: https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Social-Work-Month/Theme-and-Rationale-2025.
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Bio: Sachie German Koufalis, LMSW, MPH, CCM, is a Behavioral Health HEDIS Manager at Healthfirst. With over 15 years of case management experience, her expertise spans utilization management, foster care, clinical programs, and clinical quality. She is an active member of the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC), where she volunteers on the Care Management test item writing committee. Additionally, she is a member of the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) and serves on the Education Committee.