National Social Work Month Profile: Carissa Kiesow, Human Resources Generalist

March is National Social Work Month – a time to recognize the dedication, resilience and impact of social workers across the country and their diverse roles across child welfare. 

For Carissa Kiesow, compassion is more than a value – it’s a practice. With 23 years of experience in child welfare and 12 years at Family Support Services as a Human Resources Generalist, Carissa’s background in social work continues to influence her leadership.

“I’ve always wanted to be in a helping profession,” Carissa shares. “Knowing that I’m contributing to something that benefits others and not just myself brings me fulfillment. People can’t focus on achieving their goals until their basic needs are met.”

Before transitioning into HR, Carissa served as a Family Services Counselor and a Licensing Counselor. These experiences gave her firsthand knowledge of the challenges social workers face. “That perspective allows me to better support our team members, helping them navigate the difficult work they do every day,” she says.

This year’s NASW Social Work Month theme, “Compassion + Action,” resonates deeply with Carissa. Whether supporting team members or ensuring vulnerable children and families receive the care they need, she leads by putting herself in others’ shoes. “Listening is one of the most powerful things you can do for someone,” Carissa says. She also cautions that compassion fatigue is real for those in caring professions and team members should take care to ensure their own needs are not being forgotten.

Her advice to those with social work degrees considering careers beyond direct client service: “A social work degree applies to so many fields,” Carissa says. “Whether you’re working directly with clients or in a leadership role, the core skills of empathy, active listening and problem-solving remain invaluable.”

For Carissa, the heart of social work is meeting people where they are – with understanding, patience, and unwavering support. Her dedication to compassionate leadership continues to make a lasting impact.

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