Federal Social Workers Honored Today at National Gala

March is National Professional Social Work Month

WASHINGTON—Since 1984, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has launched a public awareness campaign every March to educate the public about the breadth and impact of the social work profession in the United States.

Tonight, National Professional Social Work Month 2002 officially kicks off with a gala to recognize the unique contributions of the nation’s federal social workers. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill – 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Charles G. Curie, M.A., A.C.S.W., administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will provide the keynote address.

"Professional Social Work Month is a call to action," says Curie. "We should stand up with pride and proclaim the passion and dedication with which we serve the American people. After all, our work makes the nation strong – one individual, one family, and one community at a time."

Social workers employed in the federal government work in a variety of settings and in diverse capacities. Some serve the country in the armed forces, while many others help shape and implement public policies to support American families. Key areas of practice include health, mental health, labor, veterans and human welfare services. In addition, two U.S. Senators and four U.S. Representatives are social workers.

SAMHSA is the lead federal agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment, and mental health services in the United States. Mr. Curie is a longtime member of the National Association of Social Workers, which represents 150,000 professionally trained social workers in the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and an International Chapter.

This year’s Social Work Month theme—The Power of Social Work: Community Needs. Human Connections—focuses on an essential root of social work practice. The profession began in the community over 100 years ago with the Settlement House Movement for immigrants. Social work pioneers worked with countless individuals, groups and organizations to build a better nation.

Today, there are over half a million professional social workers in the United States. These highly trained professionals provide assistance and guidance in schools, hospitals, community organizations, government agencies, the military, businesses, research organizations, educational institutions, and private practices. They counsel individuals and families, develop public policies, implement local and national programs, and conduct essential research.

"Everyday social workers help people from all walks of life, connecting thousands to appropriate resources," says NASW Executive Director, Elizabeth J. Clark, Ph.D., A.C.S.W., MPH. "Social workers help people understand their own personal power to overcome life’s adversities."

NASW President, Terry Mizrahi, Ph.D., MSW adds, "Social workers shape the programs and policies that strengthen community life. They improve the quality of life for millions of people, and strive to create optimum social conditions for everyone. We saw these contributions up close in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC after September 11."

The National Association of Social Workers in Washington, DC is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world. It promotes, develops and protects the practice of social work and social workers.

The NASW Foundation and the NASW Pioneers are co-sponsors for tonight’s gala. The Foundation is a charitable subsidiary of NASW created to enhance the well being of individuals, families and communities through the advancement of social work practice. The Pioneers are exemplary social workers who have contributed to the evolution and enrichment of the profession. They are nominated and elected by their peers.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 153,000 members. It promotes, develops and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families and communities through its work and through its advocacy.