March is National Social Work Month, which is dedicated to acknowledging the work of social workers. At Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, social work is embodied by our dedicated case managers and licensed social workers. While not all case managers have formal social work credentials, they play a critical role in delivering social work services within the community. 

“Our case managers are on the front lines, working one-on-one with families and individuals in need, providing personalized case management and support,” said Amelia Reyes, Chief Program Officer. “Case managers assess an individual’s needs and guide them through crises by determining what Catholic Charities programs they might qualify for. They also offer community resources and assistance with applying for government benefits,” she added.

The role of a case manager is an integral part of Catholic Charities’ work. Below are a few examples of how case managers help individuals and families in need:

• A family seeking housing after experiencing homelessness would work with a case manager to apply for Rapid Rehousing Assistance or a referral to a local housing support. In addition to finding them stable housing, a case manager would direct them to our food pantry to address their immediate needs. 

• A pregnant mother who is experiencing an unplanned pregnancy would be referred to our Pregnancy Support Services program, where she could receive education, baby items and help with acquiring diapers through HappyBottoms. 

• Refugees rely heavily on our services upon arrival in the United States. Case managers assist with a variety of services, including maintaining medical screenings, immunizations and government benefits; providing legal assistance; helping with moving into a new home; helping with signing children up for school through the Refugee School Impact program and much more.

Reyes, who has a background in social work, started at Catholic Charities over a decade ago after working previously in childcare and the medical field. “My previous work with children and families gave me a deep understanding of the complex challenges families face and how difficult it can be to navigate the systems they rely on,” she added. 

Reyes, who oversees our 30+ programs and services, has been instrumental in developing long-term solutions that lead those we serve from a place of needing help to one of having hope. In 2015, she helped launch our Family Financial Transformations (FFT) program, which helps families gain financial knowledge, resulting in an increase in their savings or debt reduction through an individualized financial coaching plan. FFT promotes client self-sufficiency, provides personalized case management and has set a foundation for many of our other programs. Reyes shared that a recent study by the KU Research Department on the FFT program highlighted the critical role of case management in promoting long-term financial success. 

“The relationship between case managers and clients is what sets us apart from other programs. Building a relationship with our clients is important. When families feel comfortable enough to share their struggles, it empowers case managers to help them navigate challenges more effectively,” she explained. 

While our case managers offer a tremendous amount of resources and support, they are not always able to solve every issue. “Case managers are often empathetic individuals, and seeing families face difficult situations can take an emotional toll. Secondary trauma is real when you witness people at their lowest points,” said Reyes.

However, the greatest reward comes from seeing the impact of their work and successes in the families they serve. “While we may not always see the immediate impact, now and then we receive a note or a call from someone whose life has changed because of our support,” Reyes shared. “The data from our fiscal year reporting also shows the positive impact of our work. From the moment a client enrolls in one of our 30+ programs, to their exit and the follow-up after 90 days, our numbers show our successes.”

Reyes also shared a hope story about how case managers change lives. A refugee client came to Catholic Charities struggling with depression due to isolation and single parenthood caused by war and relocating to a new country. The woman found new self-confidence and hope for the future by meeting with a refugee therapist who helped her understand her life narrative from a new perspective. Instead of only seeing her life’s challenges, she began to see them as opportunities. She also gained practical tools to help with her anxiety and depression, including learning where to get help if she needed it in the future.

This National Social Work Month and every day, we are grateful for our dedicated case managers and social workers who provide meaningful support and direction to our clients. We could not do our work without them and are thankful for all that they do!