Governor Stein Proclaims Child Welfare Workforce Development Month

Child Welfare Workforce Development Month 

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, North Carolina joins states across the nation in recognizing Child Welfare Workforce Development Month each September, highlighting the importance of strengthening and supporting the child welfare workforce; and

Whereas, North Carolina continues to face increased demand for child welfare services, along with workforce shortages and limited resources, creating ongoing challenges for local agencies serving vulnerable children and families; and

Whereas, child welfare professionals play critical roles in building and sustaining a strong workforce by developing and implementing statewide real-world training initiatives and practice standards and by partnering with universities through the Child Welfare Education Collaborative to reestablish educational stipends for social work students pursuing careers in child welfare; and

Whereas, the work of child welfare professionals across public and private sectors is essential to supporting North Carolina’s communities, driving innovation, and responding to the evolving needs of children and families; and

Whereas, these dedicated professionals serve throughout North Carolina’s child welfare system, including the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services; county Departments of Social Services; private child-placing agencies; residential child care facilities; maternity homes; foster homes; and partner organizations, all contributing to a stronger system of care; and

Whereas, continued efforts to strengthen, recognize, and support North Carolina’s child welfare workforce are vital to improving outcomes for children and families across the state;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 2026 as “Child Welfare Workforce Development Month” in North Carolina and commend its observance.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-seventh day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.