NASW-CA Awards Presented

Gerry Laviña, MSW, LCSW: NASW California Chapter 2016 Social Worker of the Year   

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) California Chapter Social Worker of the Year Award recognizes professional social workers who have consistently demonstrated the six core values of the NASW Code of Ethics: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.  The Social Worker of the Year has broad professional social work experience and provided significant leadership in the field of social work.  The Social Worker of the Year has NASW and voluntary association experience, diverse and multicultural expertise and made a lasting impact on social policy; advocacy for clients; and exceptional professional practice.

Having served as the Director of Field Education, Associate Director of MSW Education at UCLA Department of Social Welfare, Gerry Laviña is known for his many projects related to diversity within the field education and student recruitment for social work. These include the facilitation of 1st and 2nd year MSW social work students in various diverse field programs. Also, he coordinated and facilitated the Child Welfare/School Social work and Youth services module and the mental health module. Gerardo worked to expand school social work placements and relationships with the LAUSD School of mental health and pupil services and attendance division, as well as other school districts in the LA County.

Outside academia, Gerardo has worked with community organizations, which promote diversity in education, such as Los Amigos Council of Para Los Niños and Trabajadores de la Raza. He has also received numerous awards including Field Faculty of the Year by the UCLA MSW student body and the Staff Partnership Award.

Laviña will be honored at the NASW Social Work Awards Ceremony, October 14, 2016, 10:00am to 10:30am at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel, 2500 Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505.  The event is open to the public and all are invited to attend.

Audrey Swartz, ACSW, LCSW, BCD, Receives the NASW California Chapter 2016 Lifetime Achievement in Social Work Award

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) California Chapter Lifetime Achievement in Social Work Award recognizes professional social workers who have a lifetime of excellence in social work accomplishments.  The Award recognizes a consistent demonstration of the six core values and ethical principles of social work: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence, repeated outstanding accomplishments and contributions of lasting impact and creativity.  The Awardee is recognized by other professional, public and community groups beyond the social work profession.

With over 50 years of professional and voluntary service as a clinical social worker and anthropologist, Audrey Swartz has personally helped countless individuals, as well as advanced the understanding of culture and psychiatric social work for all. Her commitment to social work values shaped her practice, no matter if she was working in a prison, clinic, or agency. In her years as a psychiatric social worker, she prided herself on not only providing assistance to people in distress, but identifying and enhancing the potential inside them to grow and change.

Some of her many accomplishments include her work as a Direct Service Coordinator and her role as the Senior Psychiatric Social Worker at San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital for 10 years.  During that time, she provided clinical supervision to the new generation of social workers and served as the president of the San Diego County Psychiatric Social Workers Professional Group. She was also awarded the San Diego County Psychiatric Social Worker of the year award. Now retired, Audrey keeps her social work values alive by volunteering at her church as a Deacon and as a reading tutor with Every Child a Reader.

Swartz will be honored at the NASW Social Work Awards Ceremony, October 14, 2016, 10:00am to 10:30am at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel, 2500 Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505.  The event is open to the public and all are invited to attend.