As communities across the country recognize Social Work Month in March, two DeKalb County school professionals are highlighting the essential role social workers play in supporting students and families beyond the classroom.
Dr. Naomi Hemphill and Dr. Torri Hornsby-Griffin recently joined a discussion on Let’s Talk About It With The Turners, where they shared insights into their work within the DeKalb County School District and the growing needs of students navigating academic, social and emotional challenges.
Hemphill, a licensed clinical social worker, serves as the Social Work Liaison at the Student and Family Engagement (SAFE) Center at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. High School. With more than eight years of service in the district, including six years as a school social worker, she focuses on connecting students and families with critical resources that address barriers to academic success.
During the interview, Hemphill reflected on how she found her path in the profession.
“Social work is one of those divine callings and I did not think that I was going to go into social work,” Hemphill said. “My heart must have like it burst open like, ‘Oh, this is where I’m supposed to be.’ My calling is with children.”
Hemphill explained that many students face challenges that extend far beyond academics, including housing instability, food insecurity and mental health needs. SAFE Centers throughout the district aim to address those challenges by providing food, hygiene supplies, school materials, counseling and community-based services in a welcoming space within schools.
Students can access the centers for a range of reasons, including food assistance, therapy services or simply a place where they feel safe and supported.
“These are spaces where students can get what they need without barriers,” Hemphill said during the conversation, describing how the centers provide basic necessities while also connecting families with long-term resources.
Hornsby-Griffin, who serves as the Title IV Prevention Liaison in the district’s Wrap Around Services Division, emphasized the importance of addressing the mental and emotional well-being of students as part of their educational success. With more than 25 years of experience as a mental health practitioner, educator and trainer, she focuses on prevention programs that discourage violence and substance misuse while promoting wellness among students and families.
She noted that today’s students face a very different environment than previous generations.
“I think what’s happened since we’ve added that layer of awareness, that layer of access, that layer of information, I think we’ve added a completely different layer of anxiety,” Hornsby-Griffin said.
According to Hornsby-Griffin, the widespread use of digital technology and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to increased stress among young people. As a result, schools are increasingly expected to respond not only to academic needs but also to social, emotional and mental health concerns.
Both social workers emphasized that collaboration with families, community organizations and school staff is key to addressing those challenges effectively.
Through SAFE Centers and districtwide prevention initiatives, Hemphill and Hornsby-Griffin said their goal remains clear: ensuring that students have the support they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
To listen to the full interview, click the link above.