OHIO Eastern student begins career with child protective services after returning to college

When Aubrey Erbach first felt drawn to social work, it was not in a classroom. It was at home.

Early in her marriage, her husband worked in a boys group home. Hearing about the challenges facing vulnerable youth sparked something in her.

“I felt a pull toward the profession from there,” Erbach said.

That calling eventually led her to Ohio University Eastern. But her path to graduation was not linear.

Erbach stepped away from college for eight years before returning as a transfer student in the spring of her junior year. Reentering the classroom after nearly a decade brought uncertainty.

“I was nervous to come back,” she said. “I had taken time off and didn’t know what it would be like.”

Instead, she found encouragement.

“My classmates and professors made it a smooth transition,” Erbach said. “The grace and openness they showed me when coming back is something I strive for in my everyday life.”

That experience helped shape her understanding of social work.

“At the center of the profession is cultural humility,” she said. 

“To understand your clientele, you need to humble yourself and learn to see things from their perspective,” Erbach said. “It is pertinent to any social work position and any social field.”

Warren Galbreath, associate professor of social work at Ohio University Eastern, said Erbach demonstrates the compassion and commitment required in the field.

“Aubrey represents the heart of social work,” Galbreath said. “She returned to the classroom with determination, embraced the values of cultural humility and ethical practice, and consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to children and families. She is well prepared to serve in child protective services and will make a meaningful difference in our community.” 

After graduation, Erbach will begin working as an intake case manager with Job and Family Services child protective services division. In that role, she will assess reports involving child safety and support families during times of crisis. She plans to continue working with the agency while pursuing a master’s degree in social work.

“Students like Aubrey Erbach reflect the core mission of Ohio University Eastern,” Richard W. Greenlee, interim dean of campus and community relations, said. 

“She has demonstrated remarkable resilience in returning to her studies and excelling academically. Aubrey has embraced a clear calling to serve others, and her future work will support families, advocate for vulnerable children, and strengthen our region. We look forward to proudly recognizing her as a graduate of Ohio University Eastern’s social work program,” Greenlee said.

For Erbach, the decision to pursue social work comes back to something simple.

“Follow your heart,” she said. “In social work, you have to have a heart for the job. If your heart is pulling you toward social work, there’s a reason.”

After stepping away from college for eight years, Erbach returned with renewed purpose. Now, she is stepping into a role that will place her on the front lines serving families throughout the Ohio Valley.