The Baldwin County School District (BCSD) recently announced the passing of the district’s social worker, Ola Scott-Little. Scott-Little worked as a social worker for 27 years, 23 of those years being in Baldwin County. She was the only social worker serving the Baldwin County School District.
In an interview in December 2022 with The Baldwin Bulletin, Scott-Little estimated that she has helped at least 1,000 kids through her service to the county.
In 2022, she was selected as School Social Worker of the Year for District 10 by the Georgia School Social Worker Association for her service, which she was proud to accept.
Scott-Little was originally from Alabama and grew up with a single parent who attended school during the day and worked at night.
Her grandmother assisted in raising the household of five. During her interview in 2022, Scott-Little stated, “Growing up, I wondered why we didn’t have a social worker like other people had, so when I grew up, I promised to become the person I needed growing up and to help others.”
Later, she pursued and received her bachelor's degree in social work from Talladega College and her master’s degree in social work from Clark Atlanta University. She would eventually settle in Milledgeville after her god-sister informed her of a job position open with the Baldwin County School District.
Although she originally dreamed of working as a social worker in Atlanta, Scott-Little told The Baldwin Bulletin that God had placed her in Baldwin County for a reason.
“I glorify God for this chance. He chose me for this position and led me to help everyone I have touched over the years. From the smallest to largest impacts, he led me along this path to help his children,” said Scott-Little.
According to the National Association of Social Workers, social workers 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.
In March of 2023, Scott-Little told 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.”
In 2022, she stated why that work meant so much to her, “I feel like I have made a difference in many areas of the families’ lives. I can help the students succeed academically and offer the families any resources they may need to help themselves or the children. It can be a tough job and that’s why I feel you must be called to do it. God knew I could be a good source for Baldwin County.”
Scott-Little was passionate about her job and expressed a deep love and care for the many students and families she impacted over the years. She always highlighted the staff and peers supporting her, never taking credit for herself.
“A compassionate and dedicated member of our educational community. She touched the lives of many with her kindness and unwavering support,” Eric Jones, coordinator of School and Community Relations for BCSD, wrote in the recent press release announcing her passing.
Scott-Little will remain in the hearts of the many whom her work impacted and those who loved and shared time with her. While her physical presence may be gone, her legacy and kind heart will remain in the many parts of the county it touched.
“May Ola Scott-Little rest in peace, and may her memory continue to inspire and uplift us all,” wrote Jones.