Madison County Department of Social Services

WAMPSVILLE — Sometimes it’s a thankless job and sometimes the reward is saving a life. For two adult caseworkers from the Madison County Department of Social Services it was both.

Because of their persistence in the face of resistance, caseworkers Mark Babowicz and Dawn LaGreca were honored for excellence in Providing Protective Services for Adults from the Bureau of Adult Services in Albany.

The awards were given to Babowicz and LaGreca on Tuesday by Director Alan Lawitz and Deborah Greenfield from the Albany office. They were joined in the Madison County Board of Supervisors chambers by Madison County DSS Commissioner Michael Fitzgerald and Board of Supervisors Chairman John M. Becker for the ceremony.

Fitzgerald nominated the team for the award for their “persistent and creative work with a client who had extensive physical ailments and was in danger of losing a leg. For the work and obstacles they overcame to make sure that this gentleman was safe and received the care he needed so that he did not suffer further harm.”

Because adults have the right to refuse help, Babowicz and LaGreca spent almost a week trying to convince the man, who was living in his truck, that he needed medical attention.

A neighbor called DSS to alert the county of the man’s he plight. Though he had a house, he had started living in his truck because of health problems so severe he couldn’t make it into his home.

The two caseworkers tried to convince him to accept help, calling in police and fire departments as well as an ambulance service in their continued effort to get him medical attention. All efforts failed.

After a week of of persistently trying, the man was so frustrated that they wouldn’t leave him alone, he took a dare from Babowicz.

“I told him that if he could get out of the truck and walk into his house, we would leave,” said Babowicz. “He tried but he couldn’t do it and finally agreed to go to the hospital.”

“The coolest thing was when we were leaving and he was going to the hospital in an ambulance,” said LaGreca. “The neighbor who called was clapping and just jumping up and down she was so happy he was finally going to the hospital. It made me cry.”

Hospital staff later told LaGreca that if the workers had not gotten the gentleman to the hospital when they did, he would have lost at least one leg, if not both. After a few months in the hospital the man was able to return to his home and live the rest of life without the need of services.

Fitzgerald praised Babowicz and LaGreca. “This case really exemplifies what adult services is all about. For adults it is so much harder to accept help,” he said.

We have to ask what is the outcome of their decision if they chose not to accept it. In this case, the gentleman wasn’t responding to any kind of intervention,” Fitzgerald said. “It took them a week to finally convince him to do the right thing.”

Lawitz praised the team calling them “two very special caseworkers. PSA works with adult with complex needs and they have the right to refuse the services offered. It is important to recognize their work. They worked in collaboration with other agencies and respected the right of the adult client. They really had to go back and persuade him. On behalf of vulnerable clients, we thank you.”

Greenfield said, “Having been a representative for this area for quite some time, although this is an extreme case, this is not the only difficult case they have worked with. With such a degree of professionalism they deserve this award.”

“Thank you on behalf of the Board of Supervisors,” said Becker. “We know this job isn’t an easy one but you still come in every day. I know you don’t always get the thanks you deserve, but you do deserve it and we thank you.”

Office of the Children and Family Services Commissioner Gladys Carrion said in a statement released by the office, “Protective Services for Adult workers are on the front lines in responding to referrals of adult abuse, neglect and exploitation. They are the ones who act to protect vulnerable adults with impairments, who have no one else willing and able to assist them. With these certificates of recognition we proudly acknowledge and celebrate superlative work by PSA workers.”

In addition to the certificates from the state, Fitzgerald gave them each DSS T-shirts.

Adult Protective Services is available to those 18 years or older who may need protective services for a variety of reasons. Madison County residents can get help and information by calling 366-2211 or by visiting www.madisoncounty.org

On Oneida County the phone number is 798-5000 and the website is:

http://ocgov.net/oneida/socialservices/servicesdivision

Madison County social workers saved ailing man