Children’s Social Worker Sevana Naaman prepares to take Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and his deputy, Lisa Mandell, on an emergency response referral in Sun Valley.
Children’s Social Worker Sevana Naaman responded to an immediate referral regarding general neglect of a 16-year-old boy in Sun Valley with Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky in the passenger seat.
The Supervisor and his staff member saw firsthand a case that involved DCFS, Adult Protective Services and Animal Control. Sevana had trouble locating the family, but persevered and developed a plan on the spot to locate mother and child. After interviewing several family members and neighbors she ensured the mother and child would relocate to a safer environment.
Yaroslavsky also worked with Sevana before they went into the field to gather background information through FCI and CWS/CMS. His children’s deputy stayed with Sevana late into the day to investigate the family’s new apartment to confirm the child would be safe.
Prior to the field visit, the Supervisor met with social workers and SEIU staff including SEIU 721 Executive Director John Tanner at the Chatsworth office. They discussed challenges to the job and Yaroslavsky committed to small work enhancements like securing more car seats for social workers.
What’s Next?
The SEIU 721 Walk a Day program gives elected officials and their staff an up-close look at the hard work we do to keep children and families safe. Currently we are taking all five Board of Supervisors to experience emergency response social work firsthand. Earlier in the year, deputy staff members shadowed social workers.
“We all know this is a very difficult job. I was very impressed with the challenge and the way it was handled.”
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky Watch the complete video here.
“Today I did the best job I could to keep the family together and help them, given the resources and the information I had.
It was nice to help people who don’t generally know what we do experience social work.”
Sevana Naaman
Children’s Social Worker
Chatsworth