Wednesday Westerhold, LMSW

I don’t attribute my success to a single factor, but rather to a combination of passion, experience, and a strong commitment to people. From an early point in my career, I have been drawn to roles that allowed me to support others, encourage growth, and challenge systems that do not always serve people equitably. My background in social work has shaped how I view success—not as a personal achievement alone, but as the ability to create meaningful impact. While I work within the child welfare system and recognize its many shortcomings, I remain motivated by the belief that progress is achievable. I understand that systemic change requires collective effort, and I strive to contribute by promoting critical thinking, compassion, and continuous improvement in my work. This commitment to learning, advocacy, and leadership is what I believe has guided me to where I am today.

The postings on this site are my own opinion and do not reflect or represent the opinions of the State of Iowa or the department/agency for which I work.

Entering child welfare or social work as a young woman is brave, powerful, and deeply meaningful. As you start this journey, trust your voice and your instincts. You may encounter people who underestimate you—because you are young, because you are a woman, or because you are a social worker. Don’t let that shake your confidence. Do not ever feel less intelligent or less professional because you chose social work. Your expertise is real, and your perspective is unique. Social workers know a little bit about a lot of things—mental health, substance use, child development, child abuse and neglect, education, poverty, criminal justice, disabilities, domestic violence, systems interaction, adoption, trauma, and more. If you completed an accredited BSW program, you have touched all of these areas. Don’t forget the time, effort, and dedication you invested when others question your decisions. You are fully capable of using both your learned knowledge and your lived experience to make informed, ethically grounded choices.

This work can be emotionally heavy, and the system itself is often chaotic and under-resourced. Because of that, protect your wellbeing without guilt. Set clear boundaries with clients, coworkers, and supervisors. Boundaries are not selfish—they keep you safe and effective. Seek out mentors, especially other women, who will guide you, validate you, and help you grow. Build a support system outside of work too; you will need spaces where you can breathe and be yourself. And above all, take care of yourself. You cannot support and help others if you are depleted and running on fumes. The people we serve deserve quality services, and part of professionalism is recognizing when we are no longer in a place to give that. Rest when you need rest. Ask for help when you need help. Your strength does not come from pushing past your limits—it comes from honoring them.

You will see suffering, resilience, trauma, and hope all in the same day. You will feel frustrated with systems that fail people. You will question yourself sometimes. But you will also make a difference, often in ways you won’t immediately see. Celebrate the small victories. They are real, and they matter. Stay committed to your values. Let yourself learn, rest, and evolve. You belong here. And the field desperately needs strong, compassionate, thoughtful women like you.

The postings on this site are my own opinion and do not reflect or represent the opinions of the State of Iowa or the department/agency for which I work.

One of the biggest challenges in child welfare right now is the overwhelming demands placed on social workers. In my work, I see how heavy caseloads, emotional strain, and real safety risks are compounded by constant exposure to trauma, court involvement, and the ethical tension between supporting families and ensuring child safety. Each case involves urgent, high-stakes decisions, and we are expected to navigate complex family systems while managing extensive administrative and legal requirements.

These challenges are intensified by high turnover, limited training, and bureaucratic barriers, along with severe shortages of essential services such as mental health care, stable housing, substance use treatment, domestic violence supports, and culturally responsive resources. As social services and mental health programs are increasingly undermined by harmful legislation and political agendas, the communities most impacted—children, LGBTQIA+ individuals, disabled people, non-white communities, and low-income families are losing access to critical, often life-saving supports. This leaves social workers in the impossible position of trying to stabilize families without the tools or infrastructure necessary to do so safely or effectively.

At the same time, the field is facing growing financial strain, workforce shortages, and damaging public narratives that devalue social work as a profession, including claims that it is “not a professional degree.” These narratives undermine the expertise, education, and ethical responsibility that social workers carry and make it even harder for agencies to recruit and retain qualified staff, increasing instability for both workers and families. Child welfare has always been challenging, but it is becoming increasingly unsustainable as safety nets disappear and community needs continue to rise. Social workers are being asked to protect children, preserve families, and promote long-term safety while the very systems that make those outcomes possible are being steadily dismantled.

Despite these challenges, there are meaningful opportunities to strengthen social work and child welfare. Improving worker retention through manageable caseloads, competitive compensation, strong supervision, and built-in mental health supports would significantly reduce burnout and improve continuity of care for families. Expanding high-quality training—particularly in trauma-informed practice, cultural humility, disability justice, and anti-oppressive frameworks—would better equip workers to respond to complex family needs.

The field and public, would benefit from a shift away from punitive, surveillance-based approaches and toward prevention, family preservation, and community-led solutions. Investing in housing stability, accessible mental health care, substance use treatment, and economic supports would address many of the root causes that bring families into the child welfare system in the first place. Centering the voices of impacted families, youth with lived experience, and frontline workers in policy and program development would lead to more effective and humane systems.

Ultimately, meaningful improvement requires both systemic investment and a cultural shift that recognizes social work as essential, skilled, and deeply ethical labor. By strengthening the workforce, rebuilding community supports, and committing to equity-driven reform, child welfare can move toward a system that truly protects children while respecting and supporting families.

The postings on this site are my own opinion and do not reflect or represent the opinions of the State of Iowa or the department/agency for which I work.

The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty, education, social justice, and continuous self-growth. I believe honesty is essential to building trust and accountability, whether I am working with individuals, families, or colleagues. I am committed to expanding my understanding, challenging my own assumptions, and remaining open to growth so I can act with integrity and intention. I am guided by the core values of social work, which shape both my professional practice and my personal life. The principles we uphold as social workers are the same ones I strive to demonstrate every day.

I am grounded in a commitment to social justice and advocacy, particularly for individuals and communities most impacted by systemic inequities. I believe it is important to acknowledge my own privilege and the access and platforms it provides. I strive to use that privilege responsibly—by amplifying marginalized voices, creating space for others in professional and community settings, and challenging inequitable practices when I encounter them.

Showing up for others means listening, standing alongside people even when it is uncomfortable, and using my voice to advocate when others may not be heard. Self-growth is also a core value for me; I view both personal and professional development as ongoing responsibilities rather than endpoints. I recognize that each day presents opportunities to grow both personally and professionally, and I am committed to engaging in that growth as a lifelong learner dedicated to advocacy, integrity, and collective well-being.

The postings on this site are my own opinion and do not reflect or represent the opinions of the State of Iowa or the department/agency for which I work.