The news coming out of Erie County is grim, with providers of domestic violence services raising the alarm in response to a growing number of people reaching out for help. For example, in October 2023, the Family Justice Center of Erie County reported a spike in calls for help in response to domestic violence incidents, with CEO Catharine Miles-Kania calling the situation “unprecedented.”
The hope is that this uptick in calls actually reflects the success the Family Justice Center has had in getting the word out about available resources. Child and Family Services, operators of Haven House in Buffalo, reported a 14 percent increase in the number of people seeking shelter between 2022 and 2023.
In response to a persistent demand for services for domestic violence victims, Community Services for Every1 is preparing to open its first permanent housing complex in Buffalo for domestic violence survivors, with plans to staff the facility with skilled social workers.
For Erie County’s aspiring and practicing social workers, new programs like these offer outstanding opportunities to make a difference. To become part of the solution and serve as a valuable member of the organizations looking out for the most vulnerable people of Erie County, you’ll need the right degree — a BSW or MSW degree. Or both.
Making a Difference as a Social Worker in Erie County Begins with a BSW or MSW Degree
It’s entirely possible to get into the social work field in Buffalo and throughout Erie County with an undergraduate degree. But for anybody pursuing a job where they can work directly in client counseling or serve in other highly influential roles, the goal is to earn a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) credential through the New York State Education Department. And that’s a goal that requires a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.
With either credential, social workers in Eerie County serve their community through organizing, advocacy, and policy work, or in roles that involve performing clinical counseling. The major difference between the two credentials is that the LCSW permits holders to work directly with clients without any oversight, and this includes the ability to perform group and one-on-one counseling independently. As such, the LCSW requires about three years of supervised experience in diagnosis and psychotherapy as part of the licensure process.
Social Workers are Helping the Unhoused of Eerie County Find Safe Harbor
Erie County’s vexing homelessness crisis spiked in 2022 when pandemic protections like the Tenant Safe Harbor Act and Emergency Rental Assistance Program expired. Even in the years since, it’s shown no sign of slowing down.
In fact, a county spokesman confirmed that hundreds of homeless people were still being housed in the county shelter system. And as of 2023, about three hundred at-risk families — between 600 and 800 people — were regularly using services reserved for low income households.
But in April 2024, Erie County’s public and private sectors announced they were partnering up to implement a new program that’s been used successfully in cities across the country. The program, called Housing First, will place the chronically homeless in Erie County in permanent supportive housing. The plan includes developing a new building that will house about 50 people, along with about 100 other sites throughout the county. In addition to providing those experiencing homelessness with permanent housing, the program will also provide this population with support services through Safe Harbor Behavioral Health.
Whichever credential you pursue, there’s only one degree that will get you where you need to be: a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited MSW.
But before you can earn the MSW, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree that will prepare you for the kind of advanced study a mater’s degree delivers. Some get their start with a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science field — anything from psychology to human services. That provides the perfect foundation for a two-year, traditional MSW program. However, earning a CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) provides a more streamlined path to the MSW, as most schools of social work in New York offer advanced-standing MSW options that BSW holders can complete in as little as one year.
In Erie County, options to earn your BSW and MSW include:
SUNY Buffalo State University
School of Arts and Sciences
Buffalo, NY
BSSW (on-campus)
SUNY Buffalo State University’s BSW offers a robust curriculum designed in a generalist practice lens that prepares students for both immediate professional opportunities and advanced graduate studies. The program emphasizes ethical practice, critical thinking, and advocacy for social and economic justice. Students benefit from small class sizes and hands-on experiential learning opportunities, including service learning, field practice, and community engagement projects. Unique to Buffalo State, the program integrates international social work experiences, allowing students to engage in meaningful research and intervention projects abroad, such as in Trinidad and Tobago. Graduates emerge well-equipped to make significant contributions to diverse communities and professional settings.
University at Buffalo, SUNY
School of Social Work
Buffalo, NY
MSW (online, hybrid, on-campus)
Also Offers:
- MSW/MPH
- MSW/MBA
- MSW/JD
- MSW/PhD
- DSW
- PhD in Social Welfare
The University at Buffalo’s MSW program offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing students to pursue their degree in online, hybrid, or on-campus formats. With dual degree options including MSW/BA in Health and Human Services, MSW/MPH, MSW/MBA, MSW/JD, and MSW/PhD, the program caters to diverse professional paths that intersect with social work. The School of Social Work also offers unique opportunities like the Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education, micro-credentials in Excellence in Aging or Serious Illness Care, and specialized field placements across hundreds of agency partners. The program delivers comprehensive training that emphasizes trauma-informed and human rights perspectives, preparing graduates for impactful careers in social work right here in Buffalo and beyond.