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March 28, 2008
For Immediate Release
March is devoted to social workers, who dedicate their lives to helping others. This year, the Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH), wanted to inform the Franklin County community about the importance of social workers and the essential role they play in our community.
Many people are unaware that one in four Americans suffer from a treatable mental illness, including addictions, at some point in their lives. That is why organizations within the ADAMH system of care are so vital to the Franklin County community. Mental illnesses do not discriminate – they can affect anyone, at any age, of any race, from any economic background. In 2007, ADAMH invested more than $120 million to serve more than 142,000 Franklin County residents through its system of care, including 11,000 children. The purpose of the ADAMH system is to help people help themselves in Franklin County. The goal of ADAMH and its system of care is to remove the barriers of stigma that surround mental illness and addiction. By opening doors to treatment recovery, ADAMH strives to help each person in this community live a healthy, productive life.
“Without social workers, community organizations like ADAMH would not be capable of providing the necessary services to those with mental health or substance abuse problems,” ADAMH CEO, David Royer said. “While National Professional Social Work month may not be as well-known as some of the other observances, it is equally important to recognize Social Workers because they, without a doubt, play a vital role in the Franklin County community.”
Jean Tidd, LISW, a social worker at North Central Mental Health Services has committed her life’s work to children and families in need of assistance. From the time she became a Girl Scout in grade school, Tidd remembers finding joy in helping others. “After growing up in Girl Scouts and spending summers in college working as a camp counselor with inner-city youth, it was only natural for me to choose social work as a career,” said Tidd, who holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Ohio University, as well as a masters degree in social work from The Ohio State University.
Tidd, who has been in the field of social work for close to 20 years said, “I still wake up every morning loving what I do.”
“A lot of people don’t feel that. I must say I am lucky to be in such a rewarding field.”
For Tidd, it is an honor to assist children and families who need a little guidance and it saddens her to see so much publicity around negative things that happen in the community.
“I am inspired daily by the success stories that just don’t make the news,” Tidd said. She is constantly inspired by the individuals she helps. “I am honored to have the opportunity to assist and witness all kinds of people overcome and grow beyond unheard of tragedies and unexpected obstacles.”
Tidd shares the story of one amazing young man who has been able to beat the odds. “When I first met this young man, he had been kicked out of public and private high school,” Tidd explained. His father had just experienced the worst day of his life, which he had described as the day his son called him from a cell phone while hiding in a trash dumpster from the police and truant officers. The young man was scheduled to appear in court for charges of assault. Tidd knew her work was cut out for her, but like most social workers, she believes anyone can get on the right path with unconditional support, guidance, and encouragement. After nearly two years of working closely with this young man and his family, Tidd is happy to report he has returned to his public high school for his senior year and he has already received multiple college acceptance letters. Even more outstanding, he recently received an award for being a successful student, both academically and socially.
Tidd is currently working at the Family Focus division of North Central Mental Health Services. Family Focus’s goal is to provide assistance to children and families in need. The center knows the importance of making its services available to everyone and anyone and has made these services accessible to all individuals in Franklin County.
ADAMH is Franklin County’s authority for planning, funding and evaluating mental health, alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment services. ADAMH-funded services are provided by a local network of more than 40 not-for-profit providers and offered on a sliding-fee scale, making them affordable for any county resident, regardless of income. For more information, please visit www.adamhfranklin.org.
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