A belief in potential. A right to dream. An opportunity to achieve.
Welcome to SCCMHA
We at SCCMHA have a deep-seated belief in the potential of every person we meet.
These same persons have a right to dream and imagine a life of their choosing and we are here to support those dreams and help them with opportunities to achieve.
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Every March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and their partners collaborate to commemorate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM). The recognition of DDAM originated in 1987, when President Ronald Reagan commemorated March to increase “public awareness of the needs and the potential of Americans with developmental disabilities.”
DDAM raises awareness of inclusion and contributions of peoples with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community and social life. The NACDD works to promote education and highlight change to assist in the integration of those who have developmental disabilities into everyday life, and generate discussions on education, employment and accessibility.
For more information:
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month – NACDD
March Is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month - National Disability Institute
March 21 - World Down Syndrome Day
In December 2011, the United Nations declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day, to help raise awareness and inform on the importance of education, appropriate research and adequate access to health care for individuals with Down syndrome.
Each year, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with Down syndrome, which occurs when an individual has an extra copy of chromosome 21, causing some developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Despite these disabilities, people with Down syndrome have the ability to live a full, happy life and have the right to be accepted and included as equal members of the community, just like anyone else.
World Down Syndrome Day helps to educate people on, but also celebrate those who have Down syndrome and their accomplishments and the barriers they break down to be successful members of society.
In an effort to raise awareness for World Down Syndrome Day, the idea to wear “Odd Socks” became a way to generate conversation about Down syndrome. Those who want to participate can wear mismatched or crazy socks, so when someone asks you about them, you can explain to them the cause, the reasoning and why Down syndrome awareness is so important.
Let’s work together to help break more barriers!
For more information:
March is National Social Worker Month
March is recognized as Social Work Month to celebrate the profession and the efforts social workers make to break down barriers and help people live rich and fulfilling lives. Every day, social workers work with individuals to help them overcome crises such as food insecurity, lack of affordable housing, or limited access to health care.
In 2020, there were over 715,000 social workers in the United States and is one of the fastest-growing professions in the country, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Social workers make efforts to seek equal care and social justice for all peoples, working in a variety of different places – schools, hospitals, mental health practices, veteran centers, child welfare agencies and many others.
Origins of social work can be traced back to as far back as 1899 at Hull House in Chicago, when Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Star provided social services to an area which had a high immigrant population. Over the years, more examples of social work include women’s rights activist Ida B. Wells and co-founder of the National Urban League George Edmund. Frances Perkins, the first female Labor Secretary during the Great Depression, and others helped secure benefits we continue to use today, such as the 40-hour workweek, minimum wage and Social Security.
We continue to see efforts from social workers today to move our country and our communities forward. At SCCMHA, we are thankful and greatly appreciate the work our social workers do for our consumers to help better their lives.
For more information:
Social Work Month (socialworkers.org)