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Standards offer social workers knowledge to give effective care in the Affordable Care Act era WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has updated its Standards for Social Work Practice in Health Care Settings, giving social workers additional knowledge to help them provide effective care under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). “There have been huge changes in the nation’s health care landscape so NASW pulled together social work experts to update our standards,” said Heidi McIntosh, MSW, deputy director of programs at NASW. “In today’s healthcare environment social workers have found ...

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Association calls on social justice advocates, state and federal governments to enact reforms WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is disappointed the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which marked its 20th anniversary this week, is not meeting its original goal to “end welfare as we know it” and needs reforms so it can better serve families who are low income. President Clinton signed TANF into law in 1996 as a replacement for the much-maligned Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. TANF was the signature program in a welfare reform initiative aimed at transitio...

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Iowa social worker is a national leader, advocate, researcher and educator in gerontological care WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) has announced University of Iowa School of Social Work Associate Professor Mercedes Bern-Klug is recipient of its Knee/Wittman Outstanding Achievement Award for her nationally known work in improving care for people who are aging or at the end of their lives. “The NASW Foundation is proud to bestow this honor upon Dr. Bern Klug,” NASWF Director Robert Carter Arnold said. “Ms. Bern-Klug is a recognized leader and researcher on nursing home and en...

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Florida social work leader, mentor, author advocated for people living with a mental illness WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has announced social work professor and author Susan Gray as recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades of work improving the treatment of people living with mental illness and educating future generations of social workers. “Dr. Gray has worked relentlessly to ensure people who experience a mental illness have the help they need to build on their strengths and thrive,” said NASW CEO Angelo McClain, Ph.D., LICSW. “Gray has distinguished he...

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Former director of D.C. Department of Behavioral Health greatly expanded access to care, services WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) has announced social worker and former District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health Director Stephen T. Baron is recipient of its Knee/Wittman Lifetime Achievement Award for his work expanding care and services for people living with mental illness and substance use disorders. “The NASW Foundation is proud to bestow this honor upon Mr. Baron,” NASWF Director Robert Carter Arnold said. “During his career, Mr. Baron has worked with i...

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California lawmaker worked to raise minimum wage, help undocumented immigrants WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers has announced California state lawmaker Luis Alejo is recipient of its National Elected Official of the Year of the Year Award for his outstanding work improving the economic well-being of others and helping vulnerable immigrant populations. “Assemblymember Luis Alejo has dedicated his career to addressing racism and economic disparities,” said NASW CEO Angelo McClain, Ph.D., LICSW. “Legislation he authored has helped millions of Californians and their families improve their living ...

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Author and speaker for decades has advocated for gender equity, human rights for women WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) has announced social worker Joan Ditzion is recipient of its Knee/Wittman Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades of work advocating for gender equity and the humans right of women, especially women who are older adults. “The NASW Foundation is proud to bestow this honor upon Joan Ditzion,” NASWF Director Robert Carter Arnold said. “Ms. Ditzion has devoted her life to helping our society overcome sexism and ageism and promoting positive aging. She has d...

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The NASW Foundation Award Recognizes Brown for devotion to social work profession, clients WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) has awarded social worker, author and public speaker Brené Brown the prestigious International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award for her work in significantly enhancing the public image of the social work profession. “Brené Brown has used her tremendous talent as a scholar, author and public speaker to make the public more aware of the ways social workers help people improve the way people feel about themselves and interact with their loved ones and communities,...

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NASW offers condolences to families, urges reforms to address gun violence, policing WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers its condolences to the family and colleagues of three slain Baton Rouge law enforcement officers and urges legislators, the police and the public peacefully come together to address gun violence, enact sensible gun laws, and help police improve relations with the communities they serve. Baton Rouge law enforcement officers Montrell Jackson, Brad Garafola and Matthew Gerald on Sunday were killed by a gunman who was a former Marine and was apparently led by the distorted rationali...

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NASW offers condolences to families, urges reforms to address gun violence, policing WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offers its condolences to the family and colleagues of three slain Baton Rouge law enforcement officers and urges legislators, the police and the public peacefully come together to address gun violence, enact sensible gun laws, and help police improve relations with the communities they serve. Baton Rouge law enforcement officers Montrell Jackson, Brad Garafola and Matthew Gerald on Sunday were killed by a gunman who was a former Marine and was apparently led by the distorted rationalizati...

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