Celebrating ‘Heroes’ at This Year’s Adult Protective Services Appreciation Luncheon

Unsung heroes. Angels. Changemakers. Those are just some of the ways L.A. County Aging & Disabilities Department (AD) Adult Protective Services (APS) social workers were described at this year’s APS Social Worker Appreciation Luncheon.

Dozens of L.A. County APS social workers gathered in a beautifully decorated banquet hall filled with linen-covered tables, warm lighting, and uplifting instrumental music. The celebration featured a taco bar buffet, a dessert table, appreciation gifts, and prize giveaways, which were all meant to recognize the dedication of social workers who serve vulnerable older and dependent adults across the county every day.

The luncheon offered a rare moment for staff from different offices to gather in one place, share a meal, and celebrate with one another. It also provided an opportunity for APS social workers to have an open dialogue with AD Director Maral Karaccusian, who emphasized “they should be appreciated every day.”

Program managers and AD leadership thanked attendees for the challenging and often unseen work they perform every day. “The compassion that APS social workers carry each day to every home that they go to is critical in making our world a better place,” said Human Services Administrator Dr. Patrick Anyawoke, who was a social worker for years before taking a leadership position in APS. “[Much of what social workers do] happens quietly behind the scenes, but we know lives are changed because someone showed up at the door to help.”

For many in attendance, the recognition of their hard work meant a great deal. Vincent McCormack, a longtime APS social worker, noted that appreciation helps remind staff that their work matters. “[Our caseloads] are complex and can be dangerous,” he said. McCormack noted that being recognized “means a lot, because we’re here to help people in the community get back on their feet.”

APS social workers often walk into unknown situations while investigating reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Social Worker Nicole Pettigrew highlighted that it was important for social workers to be recognized because their role is a critical line of support. “Sometimes we are the first or the last line of defense,” she said. “We’re not there to [inconvenience] anybody…we just want everybody to be happy, healthy, and successful.”

Social worker Vanessa Valencia explained that serving vulnerable adults motivates her each day, and that it was critical for social workers to be recognized because the work is important. “We help vulnerable populations, and that’s oftentimes overlooked,” she said.

Throughout the luncheon, speakers emphasized that Social Work Month is about more than recognition — it’s about honoring a profession built on compassion, advocacy and service. APS Program Manager Veronica Sigala noted that this year’s Social Work Month theme “Uplift. Defend. Transform,” is something APS social workers do every day when they’re out in the field. They help stabilize difficult situations, connect residents with critical services, and ensure vulnerable adults can remain safe and with dignity.

March may be Social Work Month, but for the APS social workers who offer support and protect vulnerable residents every day, appreciation goes far beyond a single month or event.