Every March, the social work profession gets its moment in the spotlight. Social Work Month is a nationally recognized period of celebration, advocacy, and reflection that honors the more than 810,000 social workers serving communities across the United States. But how did this tradition begin, what does it represent in 2026, and why does it matter more than ever?

Whether you're a social worker, an employer, a student considering the profession, or simply someone who wants to understand the field better, here's what you should know about Social Work Month and its significance.

The History of Social Work Month

Social Work Month has deeper roots than many people realize. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) first established a dedicated recognition period in 1963, originally observed as Social Work Week. The goal was simple: bring public attention to a profession that had been quietly serving vulnerable populations for decades without much recognition.

In 1984, the U.S. Congress formally proclaimed March as National Professional Social Work Month, expanding the recognition from a single week to an entire month. Since then, NASW has designated an annual theme that reflects the profession's priorities and the challenges of the moment.

Over the decades, Social Work Month has evolved from a niche professional observance into a broader public awareness campaign. State governors, city mayors, and county executives routinely issue proclamations recognizing social workers. Universities and professional organizations host events. And increasingly, the general public uses March as an opportunity to learn about what social workers actually do and why their work matters.

The 2026 Theme: "Social Workers: Uplift. Defend. Transform."

Each year's theme captures something essential about the profession's current focus. The 2026 theme, "Social Workers: Uplift. Defend. Transform.", speaks to the three core dimensions of social work practice:

• Uplift: Social workers elevate individuals and communities by connecting them to resources, building on their strengths, and helping them achieve their goals. From a school social worker helping a student access mental health support to a community organizer mobilizing neighbors around affordable housing, uplifting others is at the heart of the profession.
• Defend: Social workers advocate for and protect the rights of vulnerable populations. This includes defending children from abuse, standing up for clients in court, and advocating for policies that address systemic inequality.
• Transform: Social work aims to create lasting change, not just for individuals but for systems. Whether it's reforming child welfare practices, expanding access to mental health care, or building more equitable communities, social workers are agents of transformation.

The theme is a reminder that social work is not just about providing services. It's about challenging the conditions that make those services necessary in the first place.

Key Dates During Social Work Month 2026

March is packed with recognition opportunities. Here are the dates to mark on your calendar:

School Social Work Week: March 1-7

Organized by the School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA), this week honors the social workers who serve in K-12 schools and universities. School social workers help students with mental health challenges, family instability, bullying, truancy, and the transition to adulthood. They're often the first professionals to identify that a student is struggling and connect them to support.

If you work in education, this is the week to recognize the social workers on your campus. Even a brief acknowledgment at a staff meeting or a note from the principal can make a real difference.

World Social Work Day: March 17

World Social Work Day falls on the third Tuesday of March each year and is observed in over 140 countries. Organized by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), this day carries a global theme that unites social workers worldwide around shared values and goals.

World Social Work Day is a particularly good opportunity for advocacy and public awareness activities. Many organizations host events, publish statements, or participate in social media campaigns to amplify the day's message.

Social Work Month: All of March

The full month provides a sustained period for recognition activities, professional development events, and community engagement. Organizations can plan a full calendar of activities or focus on key moments throughout the month. For practical ideas on how organizations can celebrate, we've put together a detailed guide.

Social Work by the Numbers

Understanding the scale of the social work profession helps put Social Work Month in context:

• 810,900 social workers are currently employed in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• 6% job growth is projected from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations
• ~74,000 annual openings are expected each year due to growth and replacement needs
• 531 BSW programs and 277 MSW programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• 31 states have joined the Social Work Licensure Compact as of 2026

The profession spans a wide range of specializations:

• Child, family, and school social workers: The largest group, working in child welfare, family services, and educational settings
• Healthcare social workers: Helping patients navigate the medical system in hospitals, hospice, and long-term care
• Mental health and substance abuse social workers: Providing therapy and treatment in clinics, private practices, and community agencies
• Community and policy social workers: Working on systemic issues through organizing, research, and advocacy

For a full breakdown of what social workers do across these specializations, see our comprehensive guide.

Why Social Work Month Matters More Than Ever

Social Work Month isn't just a feel-good observance. It arrives at a time when the profession faces serious challenges that threaten its ability to serve the people who depend on it.

The Retention Crisis

Social work has a turnover problem. Studies consistently show annual turnover rates of 30-50% in many social service settings. The causes are well-documented:

• Burnout: Rates of 40-50% across the profession, driven by high caseloads, emotional demands, and inadequate support
• Compensation gaps: Despite requiring advanced degrees and licensure, social workers earn significantly less than professionals in comparable fields. Understanding what social workers earn is an important part of the advocacy conversation.
• Secondary trauma: Regular exposure to clients' traumatic experiences takes a cumulative toll. Preventing burnout requires intentional, ongoing effort.
• Administrative burden: Social workers consistently report spending too much time on documentation and not enough time with clients

When experienced social workers leave the profession, their cases get redistributed to already-overwhelmed colleagues. Communities lose institutional knowledge and trusted relationships. Vulnerable populations lose access to the support they need. Social Work Month is an opportunity to draw attention to these systemic issues and advocate for the structural changes that will retain talented professionals.

The Growing Demand

At the same time, demand for social workers is increasing. Mental health awareness is at an all-time high. An aging population needs more healthcare social workers. Schools are expanding their support teams. And the 2026 Social Work Licensure Compact is opening up new opportunities, including the growing field of travel social work, by making it easier to practice across state lines.

This combination of growing demand and persistent retention challenges makes advocacy during Social Work Month more important than ever.

How to Get Involved

Whether you're a social worker, an employer, a student, or a supporter of the profession, there are meaningful ways to participate in Social Work Month:

• Share your story. If you're a social worker, use your platform (social media, workplace newsletter, community groups) to talk about your work and why it matters. Personal stories humanize the profession and build public understanding.
• Advocate for your team. If you supervise or manage social workers, March is the time to advocate for better resources, reasonable caseloads, and meaningful recognition. Check out our guide to organizational celebration strategies for practical ideas.
• Celebrate personally. Know a social worker? Our post on personal ways to celebrate Social Worker Appreciation Month is full of ideas, from gift boxes to handwritten notes.
• Learn about the profession. If you're considering a career in social work, Social Work Month events and resources are a great way to learn more. You can also visit shouldibecomeasocialworker.com to explore whether the profession is the right fit for you.
• Support policy change. Follow NASW's advocacy campaigns, contact your representatives about issues affecting social workers, and support organizations working to improve conditions in the field.

Honoring Social Workers Year-Round

Social Work Month is a catalyst, but the appreciation and advocacy it inspires shouldn't be limited to 31 days. The social workers who show up for their communities every day deserve recognition, support, and investment throughout the year.

One of the most practical ways to support social workers is to reduce the administrative friction that drains their time and energy. When documentation is streamlined and intuitive, social workers can focus on what they do best: helping people. Notehouse is built for exactly this purpose, giving social workers an affordable, purpose-built tool that makes note-taking faster, more organized, and more secure.

This Social Work Month, take a moment to recognize the social workers in your life and your community. And if you're a social worker reading this, know that your work matters, your expertise is valued, and you deserve the tools and support that help you thrive. Explore Notehouse and our full collection of social worker resources to see how we're working to make your professional life a little easier, every day of the year.