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The Baldwin County School District is honoring Ola Scott-Little this month for National Social Work Month.
Ola Scott-Little has worked as a social worker for 26 years, 22 of those years being in Baldwin County. She is the only social worker serving the Baldwin County School District and has assisted numerous students and their families through her work.
Social Work Month honors social workers, like Scott-Little, who work to help communities thrive.
According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), “Although there are many kinds of social work, members of the profession all share common principles: They are people dedicated to seeking complete equality and social justice for all communities and helping people achieve their own potential.”
A social worker’s job is to help break down barriers to ensure that those they work with are able to live enriching, safe lives. According to NASW, they work with individuals on many personal issues including, conflict in school, food insecurity, access to healthcare, lack of affordable houses and more. They also advocate on a systems level to ensure laws and policies are adopted so everyone can access such services “School Social Work is a specialized area of social work concerned with the psychosocial functioning of students to promote and maintain their health and well being,” wrote Scott-Little in an email to The Baldwin Bulletin.” As a school social worker I serve as an advocate between the school, home and community which is an integral link in helping students achieve academic success.”
Within this month, NASW hosted National School Social Work Week (March 5-11) to specifically honor the strength and resilience of school social workers. The website highlights that these social workers are confronted with challenges, heightened anxieties and anticipated difficulties all dependent upon their school district.
“Please join BCSD in honoring and thanking our school social worker, Ola Scott-Little for her time and commitment to serving the various needs of our students, staff and families. We also want to thank Donna James and Willie Mae Wright who work very closely with Mrs. Scott-Little to support our families,” wrote Eric Jones in The Baldwin Beat. “Together, they are able to light the way, emphasizing the whole child, collaborating with other professionals, linking students and families with needed services and advocating for the needs of our students.”
Previously Ola Scott-Little was selected as School Social Worker of the Year for District 10 by the Georgia School Social Worker Association. District 10 comprises 18 counties in Georgia.
According to Scott-Little, during her journey she originally dreamed of working as a social worker in Atlanta, but felt that God had placed her in Baldwin County for a reason. Through her work, she serves as an advocate for home, school and the community, to decrease barriers that may interrupt a child’s education. In a previous interview, she told The Baldwin Bulletin that she has helped at least 1,000 kids through her service to the county.
“Ever since I came to Baldwin County I have been blooming,” said Scott-Little in a previous interview with The Baldwin Bulletin. “As Joel Osteen always says, “I believe in blooming where you are planted.”
This year’s theme for Social Work Month is “Social Work Breaks Barriers” which aligns perfectly with what Scott-Little does each day. Despite the challenges, she thanks God every day for writing her work into the plan of her life and allowing her to help his many children.
“I think it’s important to honor social workers and highlight the work they do,” said Scott-Little. “We impact so many people and we are proud to support the areas that we reside in.”
Scott-Little was recognized at the school board meeting on March 14 for her outstanding work in the Baldwin County School District and for leading the district United Way team in raising over $24,000 for this year’s campaign. Her work and dedication stands out as an example of the importance of social work and its impact throughout Georgia and the country.