From January 2002 NASW NEWS
Copyright ©2002, National Association of Social Workers, Inc.

Member Heading Up Federal Prevention Programs

CSAP, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and Center for Mental Health Services form the three components of the Department of Health and Human Service's giant Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Charles Curie, another NASW member, was confirmed by the Senate in October as the new administrator of SAMHSA, which has about 550 staff members and a $3 billion annual budget [October 2001 NEWS].

CSAP is the federal government's primary agency for providing national leadership in development of policies, programs and services to prevent the onset of illegal drug use, to prevent underage use of alcohol and tobacco and to reduce the negative consequences of using substances.

As CSAP's director, Sanchez-Way heads a staff of approximately 130 employees and manages a budget of about $150 million. Under her direction, CSAP fosters the development of knowledge on best prevention programs and practices for reducing substance abuse; promotes the dissemination of effective substance abuse prevention programs; builds the capacity of states, communities and other groups to apply this knowledge effectively and bring about systems change; and promotes norms supportive of prevention of substance abuse at the family, workplace, health care, community and national levels.

Sanchez-Way received a Ph.D. in public administration from New York University, an MSW from Fordham University and a B.S. degree in chemistry from St. John's University in New York. She has served as an officer and member of several national boards, including the National Health Council; the National Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Parenting and Prevention; and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency. She is a co-founder of the National Organization of Latino Social Workers.

Sanchez-Way has won numerous awards. She received the Senior Executive Service (SES) Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award for 1998. More recently, she received the first annual Excellence in Government Service Award given by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. In June 2001, she received the HHS secretary's Award for Distinguished Service.

In October 2001, Sanchez-Waywas chosen to introduce President George W. Bush at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., honoring members of the federal government's Senior Executive Service.

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