Tanya M. North

I attribute my success to helping young and older adults access the services they need to live more independently and with dignity. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to connect individuals—including my own son—to specialized programs and essential supports that improve daily living, communication, and overall well-being. My work focuses on understanding each person’s needs and coordinating services such as in-home care, home maintenance assistance, and other critical resources for those living alone or without nearby family.

The best career advice I’ve received comes from my mother, who taught me the value of hard work, service, and lifelong learning through her own example. She raised my brother and me on her own while taking on roles such as a pipe fitter at Camp Pendleton and later an OSHA inspector, showing me the importance of resilience and adaptability. Her belief that you should never stop learning, even after formal education, inspired me to pursue college and law school and continues to guide my personal and professional growth.

I would encourage young women entering this field to also consider Adult Protective Services, as there is a growing need for social workers who support older adults in addition to children. Many older individuals, especially those living with dementia or Alzheimer’s, require advocacy and assistance with daily needs such as medication management and safety. I also see value in increasing awareness of this career path through outreach to colleges and addressing factors like pay disparities that influence workforce choices. Social work skills are highly needed in adult services, and this population deserves the same level of care, dignity, and support.

One of the biggest challenges in my field is limited funding, which affects our ability to hire enough case managers and provide adequate services to the growing number of people in need. Our programs rely mainly on federal funding, which is often insufficient compared to the demand, especially as more older adults require support with conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s. I see a key opportunity in advocating with state leaders to secure additional resources so we can expand services and better support individuals who need assistance with safety, medication management, and daily care.

The most important values in my work and personal life are compassion, lifelong learning, and family. I was raised by a mother who modeled resilience and hard work while also teaching me never to stop learning, and that lesson continues to guide me professionally and personally. I am deeply committed to caring for others, which is reflected in my work supporting individuals in need as well as in my personal life, where I care for my mother and value the time I spend with her. At home, I also find joy and balance through simple things like caring for my two dogs and enjoying personal interests that keep me grounded.