The Tahlequah Daily Press in Oklahoma ran this article that shows the Catch-22 situation social workers are in.

Steven Edwards.

The deep recession has increased the need for social workers to help people who are having a difficult time paying bills, putting food on the table and keeping a roof over their heads. However, state budget cuts have discouraged many states from hiring more social workers and caseworkers or replacing those who have left.

In fact, some states are furloughing or laying off workers.

“I’ve worked in this [profession] for over 30 years, and the need for our services is unbelievable. I have never seen it like this before,” said Steven Edwards, director of Cherokee County Human Services.

 “It’s a wheel, and we’re at the bottom,” he continued. “But it will turn, and we will be okay again.”