Moving Forward with Hope
June 11, 2026by Victor S. Valentine, CEO of NHSA
“At the end of the day, we must go forward with hope and not backward by fear and division.” —Rev. Jesse Jackson
I recently participated virtually in a national conference for social workers and came away with a renewed appreciation for the complexity and importance of their work. At a time when many human services programs face heightened scrutiny in the name of fiscal reform, efficiency, and fraud reduction, social workers remain on the front lines serving vulnerable populations with limited resources and, too often, insufficient recognition.
Like educators, who frequently face similar challenges, social workers and human service professionals navigate a wide range of needs to help individuals and families move toward stability and self-sufficiency. While children often receive the most public attention, social workers also support parents, grandparents, siblings, caregivers, and entire communities. In this environment, challenges to programs such as Medicaid, changes to workforce and credentialing pathways, and persistent stigma surrounding those who seek assistance can make delivering effective services increasingly difficult.
As the United States commemorates its 250th anniversary, many Americans find themselves concerned with the nation’s future in-lieu of historical reflection. While looking backward may not be everyone’s first inclination, there is value in recognizing leaders who had the vision, courage, and political skill to establish and strengthen our social safety net. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal and President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Social Security Amendments of 1965, which established Medicaid, are notable examples. Regardless of one’s political perspective, it is difficult to deny the positive impact these initiatives have had on millions of Americans. The systems they created—and the dedicated professionals who sustain them—deserve thoughtful improvement and support, not dismissal. At the same time, yesterday’s lessons must inform strategies that address today’s realities. This is the work before us.
So, how might we honor America’s 250th anniversary in a meaningful way? One option is to become more actively engaged with local human services organizations through volunteering, advocacy, or community leadership. Another is to exercise our constitutional rights by supporting policies and public servants committed to advancing the rule of law on behalf of human well-being. Recent legal challenges surrounding Medicaid coverage and access illustrate the ongoing importance of civic engagement in shaping public policy.
Ensuring that our communities are represented by leaders who balance fiscal responsibility with compassion is no less important than addressing the day-to-day needs that fill social workers’ caseloads—food security, housing, employment, healthcare, legal assistance, education, and more. Using human-centric, evidence-based, and fiscally-sound strategies, we must look to bolster the sectors that support communities and maintain public trust.
Finally, as a core value of the National Human Services Assembly, efforts to improve systems and organizational performance must never come at the expense of the people who deliver services. We must stand alongside—and sometimes behind —these highly skilled, deeply committed professionals who are often underpaid, overworked, and undervalued. Protecting their professional credentialing, increasing resources, advancing innovative approaches to service provision, and prioritizing employee well-being are among the areas NHSA continues to champion as a convener and thought partner.
As we strive to remain connected to the people and communities we serve, let us also remain connected to one another. The challenges before us are significant, but so is the collective strength of the social and human services profession.