Now accepting Award Nominations for Social Work Month 2025!

Social Worker, Public Citizen of the Year, Social Work Educator of the Year, Outstanding Recent Graduate and Outstanding Student:

1. Is an NASW member.* 2. Demonstrates a strong adherence to social work values. 3. Demonstrates a personal and/or professional commitment to diversity and cultural inclusiveness. 4. Demonstrates outstanding leadership and contributes to a positive image for social work. *Except social work students and Public Citizen of the Year.

Honors a social worker that has exemplified the best of the profession’s values and achievements. Award specific criteria:

1. Makes a demonstrable difference in such areas as advocacy for clients or the profession, social policy, practice, program creation, administration development, or research. 2. Takes risks to achieve outstanding results.

Honors a social work educator in the state who has had a clear impact on the profession and on the individuals whom they teach. Award specific criteria:

1. Is affiliated with an accredited social work education program. 2. Demonstrates a commitment to excellence in social work education. 3. Advocates elimination of racism and sexism in their teaching and incorporates current social trends. 4. Applies knowledge in their area of expertise to community service and extra-curricular activities. 5. Responds to students’ needs and encourages student’s professional growth.

Honors a citizen who is not a social worker and has demonstrated significant contributions that are consonant with social work values and mission. Award specific criteria:

1. Does not hold a social work degree. 2. Makes a significant contribution to an area or population of concern to social work such as public social issues, populations at risk, and quality of life for communities. 3. Exemplifies social work values and ethics. 4. Has a personal and professional commitment to diversity and cultural inclusiveness. 5. Demonstrates outstanding leadership and acts with courage and verve.

Honors all recent graduates who are now working in Washington State and who has already demonstrated a strong adherence to social work values. Award specific criteria:

1. Has graduated from an accredited MSW or BSW program within the last five years. 2. Has made a meaningful contribution to the profession (i.e., has designed a new program that has made a difference; implemented policy within an agency, attained licensure, works with difficult or at-risk populations 3. Exhibits leadership potential

Honors a student currently in a social work program in our state who has demonstrated a strong adherence to social work values. Award specific criteria:

1. Is attending a CSWE-accredited MSW or BSW program. 2. Demonstrates an interest in the profession beyond the academic arena, e.g., attendance at NASW events such as Lobby Day, the state conference, student NASW retreats, student NASW meetings.

Given at the discretion of the Washington Chapter President, this award recognizes that all excellent, outstanding performances and merit cannot be easily categorized. Award specific criteria:

1. Exemplifies social work values and ethics. 2. Has a personal and professional commitment to diversity and cultural inclusiveness.

This is a new category added in 2022. Each year, the Chapter will select a social worker for this national award to celebrate a lifetime of achievement. In honoring the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, the Chapter recognizes the best social work values and accomplishments demonstrated in the social worker’s lifetime career. The award recipient must:

• Demonstrate repeated outstanding achievements, as well as:
  • Recognition beyond the social work profession
  • Contributions of lasting impact
  • Outstanding creativity
• Meet all criteria for Social Worker of the Year
• Be an NASW member in good standing