Fayetteville Today

As the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted various issues that families face, the Cumberland County School District is raising awareness for the importance of social workers.

According to CBS 17 News, the district has 88 social workers to help students address issues such as depression, hunger and homelessness.

“We be trying to find them shelter, food and transportation,” social worker Sheila Campbell told CBS. “People losing their cars. People losing their jobs. You know trying to find resources for all the parents.”

Campbell's daughter, Jaslynn Peterson, is also a social worker.

“I go home and think about these children, our students, see what I could do to be better for them," Peterson said.

Social issues are expected to be on the rise since Cumberland County lifted the moratorium on housing rent and there aren’t enough shelters for people who may be displaced.

“Our social workers are key to making sure our students are key to making sure our students are safe healthy and successful,” 71st Middle School Principal Todd Yardis told CBS.

CBS17 News spoke with a family that had fallen on hard times and had been staying at the Fayatteville shelter for the past month. 

“If they needed clothes they told us to let them know,” Vanessa Diamond, a mother of five, told CBS. “They will get them clothes and everything. It’s been a real blessing to have social workers from the school help.”