NASW Chapters Find a chapter Select Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut DC Metro Delaware Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana International Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York New York City North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

• Special Features
  • Pressroom Home
  • Press Releases
  • Press Kit
  • Social Work in the News
  • Consumer Site
  • General Fact Sheets
  • Issue Fact Sheets
  • Executive Director and President Bio
  • Media ListServ
  • Research in the News
  • Social Work Month
  • Press Room Contacts
  • > Press Releases Archives 2011 Press Releases 2010 Press Releases 2009 Press Releases 2008 Press Releases 2007 Press Releases 2006 Press Releases 2005 Press Releases 2004 Press Releases 2003 Press Releases 2002 Press Releases 2001 Press Releases 2000 Press Releases
• New Publications from NASW Press
• 
  Social Work Matters The Power of Linking Policy and Practice
• 
  9th Edition, NASW Policy Statements, 2012-2014

For Immediate Release July 18, 2006

Contact NASW Communications Allison Nadelhaft 202-336-8228 anadelhaft@naswdc.org

Governor Jennifer Granholm Named NASW Public Elected Official of the Year

Michigan Governor chosen for protecting Michigan children and families

Washington--The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is pleased to name Governor Jennifer Granholm the 2006 Public Elected Official of the Year honoring her dedication to improving the areas of concern for the social work profession for the citizens of Michigan.

Since her election in November 2002 as the first female governor of Michigan, Gov. Granholm has made a public commitment to improving the quality of life in Michigan communities, protecting the most vulnerable populations and addressing social issues in a way that strengthens the state.

“Through her unique leadership, Gov. Granholm has focused on children and families as a priority for her administration,” says Dr. Elizabeth Clark, NASW executive director.  “She has ensured that the social safety net is in tact in Michigan, while bolstering health care and educational opportunities.”

Gov. Granholm fought to protect vital support for poor families by vetoing a 4-year time limit for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), ensuring this critical support for those in need.

In order to promote and strengthen early childhood development in Michigan, she formed the Early Childhood Investment Corporation to support early childhood development and to increase licensing requirements in day care.

Gov. Granholm has expanded health care coverage to uninsured Michiganians and has enrolled tens of thousands of children for health insurance through the Healthy Kids and MiCHILD programs.  Additionally, she initiated the development of the Mental Health Commission to rebuild the state’s mental health system.

In 2004, Gov. Granholm recognized and honored the importance and professionalism of social workers by signing Social Work Licensure in Michigan legislation into law.

To interview Gov. Granholm about this award, please contact NASW Communications at media@naswdc.org or 202-336-8228.  For more information about NASW, please visit www.socialworkers.org.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 145,000 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 advocacy.

• 
• 
• Search