In today’s episode, Kim fills in for Chris to jumpstart Social Work month, which is celebrated annually during the month of March, and this year’s theme is Social Workers are Essential.  Our guests today are Sam Hickman, CEO of the National Association of Social Workers WV Chapter and Jennifer Wells, President of the NASW-WV Board and senior organizer with Community Change Action, a national organization fighting for the freedom of low-income, and low-income people of color, to thrive.  Sam and Jennifer talk with us about their passion for social work, what makes social work essential pre-, mid-, and post-COVID-19, and the ways COVID-19 has amplified disparities, highlighted inequity, and what social workers can do to help individuals achieve independence through interdependence.