PEP Celebrates Social Work Month with Insights from Our Social Workers
March is Social Work Month and at PEP, we have a lot to celebrate. In each of our programs and all of our locations, social workers play an important role in ensuring we are meeting the needs of the children, families and professionals we serve. All of PEP’s social workers do the work they do because they have compassion for people who are struggling and want to help.
Ava Lucky, MSW, LSW, who is a regional master trainer and early childhood mental health consultant for PEP Early Childhood Plus and one of PEP’s many social workers, puts it this way, “I wanted to be a social worker so I could help people move past something difficult. We always need someone to help us to get over the storm so we can get to the sunshine. My hope is through my service, I am helping them to reach their sun.”
Compassion + Action
The National Association of Social Workers has chosen the theme “Social Work: Compassion + Action” for this year’s Social Work Month. It suits PEP’s social workers perfectly.
As part of Social Work Month, PEP asked its social workers to share something they are proud of. Their answers make it clear that PEP’s social workers embrace the theme of compassion + action in their day-to-day work.
Traci Dickerson, LSW, an early childhood mental health consultant with PEP Early Childhood Plus teaches children and the adults who work with them, tools to help them regulate their emotions. Recently, one child she worked with not only used those tools to calm down herself, but then taught one of her friends how to calm herself as well.
Brain Yantek, LISW-S, a clinical supervisor at PEP Connections shared that he is proud of the small moments he was part of that brought joy to another person, especially a child. He says he has shared many moments of laughter with children and had the opportunity to share in the joy of their accomplishments.
At PEP Chesnutt, one of PEP’s Day Treatment Centers, Deanna Sabur, MSSA, LISW-S, clinical supervisor, is proud of the programming she put in place that has lasted for years. She’s also proud of the kids and staff with whom she works. “I love to see the relationships that staff members make with students that help them feel safe and change their behavior. One of the greatest joys of working at PEP is to see the progress that students make and having them reintegrate to public school.”
Another of PEP’s social workers is Lea Kromer, LISW-S. She started at PEP as a case manager after finishing college and has held several roles of progressive responsibility in her 15 years at the agency. “I’m proud that I have grown within the agency,” she shared. Today, Kromer is the principal of PEP Prentiss Autism Center.
Advice from PEP’s Social Workers
For those considering a career in social work, PEP’s social workers shared some helpful tips.
Jim Flynn, LISW-S, director, PEP Early Childhood Plus, says one of the advantages of choosing a social work career is that it is a broad field. There are a lot of avenues to explore. Where you start your career may be different than where you end. “For example,” he says, “at the beginning of my career, I never would have imagined landing in the field of infant and early childhood mental health, but that area has ended up being the bulk of my career.”
Ava Lucky encourages social workers to “know what you don’t know.” She says it’s important to always remain curious and take in information to build your knowledge across all areas of human development and community. She also encourages social workers to seek out mentors across various areas of practice.
Perhaps most importantly, all the social workers we talked to mentioned the importance of self-care. Social work is not an easy job and it’s critical for people in the profession to take care of themselves. Michelle Breen, MSSA, LISW-S, PEP”s chief program officer says when the job feels tough, take a breath. “Take care of yourself so you can continue to care for others.”
Social Work Month Thank You
This Social Work Month, PEP would like to thank all of our social workers. Not just during this special month but throughout the year, we know you work hard to make a difference. We couldn’t do what we do without you. Thank you!
About Social Workers
Social workers are everywhere—in our communities, in hospitals, the halls of Congress and in local governments, corporations, social service agencies, veterans’ centers, as well as schools, sporting institutions, and more. They’re also in demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the social work profession is projected to grow 7 percent between now and 2033. That’s faster than the average for all occupations. By then, more than 836,000 social workers will be employed here in the United States. Social workers undergo years of schooling and training, gaining the expertise needed to support communities and individuals. They excel at meeting people where they are and provide compassionate guidance and help.[i]
Learn More
To learn more about PEP and the staff who dedicate their lives to making a difference, visit our website. To apply to work with us, visit our Careers page.
[i] About Social Workers, The National Association of Social Workers, https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Social-Work-Month/Theme-and-Rationale-2025, accessed March 6, 2025.