State Partnership Aims to Address Growing Demand and Retention Challenges
WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — North Carolina is taking steps to bolster its social work workforce through a new Public Service Leadership Program (PSLP), a collaborative initiative between the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Social Work Coalition on Workforce Development.
The coalition brings together 25 universities and colleges across the state that offer social work programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Addressing Critical Workforce Shortages
“The need for social workers is expected to grow over the next decade, but supporting this workforce has long been a challenge due to low salaries and challenging workplace conditions,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “This program will work with high schools and universities to strengthen the pipeline of students interested in pursuing careers in social work by making them aware of these opportunities and providing training.”
The social work profession is projected to grow by 12% over the next six years, underscoring the urgency of workforce development efforts.
Five-Year Implementation Timeline
The program launched this fall with a structured rollout plan:
- One-year planning period
- One-year pilot phase
- Three-year testing period
The UNC School of Social Work at Chapel Hill will serve as the lead entity, with the School’s Office of Community Engagement and Outreach, headed by Associate Dean Kathy Colville, managing program implementation. Applications will open in March 2026, with additional details to be announced by NCDHHS.
Three Core Goals
The PSLP will pursue three primary objectives:
Raising Awareness: Increasing knowledge of social work careers among students in North Carolina high schools, community colleges, and universities.
Enhancing Education: Strengthening the learning experience for current social work students by providing professional knowledge and skills to address complex community needs. The program places special emphasis on rural communities, Medicaid-eligible populations, and critical service areas including child and family services, mental health, substance use, aging, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and justice-involved populations.
Building Workforce Resilience: Supporting current social workers to improve retention and compassion satisfaction while effectively serving populations with complex needs.
Leadership Perspectives
“We are honored by the opportunity to collaborate with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and deeply appreciate their trust, support and confidence in our shared mission,” said UNC School of Social Work Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson. “The people of North Carolina deserve a health and human services workforce that is not only highly skilled, but also compassionate and responsive to the diverse needs of our communities.”
Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, emphasized the value social workers bring to the public care system. “This new leadership program will strengthen our workforce by preparing social workers to meet the complex needs of individuals and families across North Carolina,” Crosbie said. “By investing in training, support, and career pathways, we are building a workforce that can make a lasting impact in communities—especially those that have historically lacked access to quality mental health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental disability services.”
Looking Ahead
Sarah Reives Houston, UNC School of Social Work interim assistant dean of workforce development, highlighted the program’s comprehensive approach. “Not only will it encourage the next generation of social workers to enter the field, but it’s also going to take care of the state’s current social workers and ensure they have the tools to support their communities,” Houston said. “I’m proud of the colleges and universities that have banded together as part of the Social Work Coalition on NC Workforce Development to make this dream a reality.”
The initiative represents a broader commitment by NCDHHS to building a robust healthcare workforce, from early childhood educators to direct care workers and public health leaders, ensuring North Carolinians remain healthy and well-served.
