Sacramento County, CA
09/11/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/11/2024 11:36
Beyond the Call: A Dedicated IHSS Social Worker
Being a social worker involves dedication, patience and the ability to quickly assess situations. This month, Sacramento County's Department of Child, Family and Adult Services is highlighting In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Social Worker Michael Petty as part of the Beyond the Call series. Michael has devoted 17 years of his career to the IHSS program in Sacramento County.
"My clients, they've all left an imprint on me, every single one of them. So, it's been an adventure and it's helped mold me into the person I am," Michael said.
Part of Michael's job is to ensure older and disabled adults receive the care they need to stay in their homes. Michael's role involves conducting home visit field assessments to determine the level of care his clients require.
"We're out in the field almost every day, visiting multiple homes, assessing their functional limitations to determine how many hours of care we can provide to keep them in their own home," Michael explained.
Each assessment is thorough and tailored to the individual's unique circumstances.
"Everybody has a story and wants to talk about themselves, and that's a valuable part of the social work component," said Michael.
Michael also connects clients with various resources, such as Public Health Nurses and Adult Protective Services when necessary.
Michael graduated from UC Davis with a degree in psychology. Michael believes his background in psychology gives him a unique perspective on social work.
"As a psychology major, I try to get to the heart of the matter with clients. I ask open-ended questions to help them open up and look at the whole person without judgment," he said.
Michael finds his job incredibly rewarding and encourages others to consider a career in social work.
"It's never boring. Everybody has a different background. So, if you're the type of person that likes to hear about people's history and their dreams and hopes, this is the right type of job," Michael said.
At the end of the day, Michael says what he loves the most about his job is being able to help people and sometimes cheer them up.
"It's rewarding to help people, to see a smile on somebody's face."
Throughout the year, the County will continue to explore different roles within DCFAS, share how workers use their personal experience to better serve those in need, and teach people about the ongoing efforts employees make to better serve Sacramento County.