FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MARCH 28, 2022

CONTACTS: Debra Riggs, CAE, Executive Director, Virginia Chapter-National Association of Social Workers, driggs.naswva@socialworkers.org, 804-204-1339

NASW Virginia Chapter Honors Five Social Work Leaders, Students for Outstanding Achievements

RICHMOND, VA: The Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers presented its 2022 Annual Awards for professional and academic excellence to two outstanding social workers, two social work students, and a nonprofit organization March 26 during its 2022 Annual Conference, held jointly with the NASW Metro DC Chapter.

Lifetime Achievement in Social Work Award, the chapter’s highest individual honor recognizing a social work professional with a proven career-long commitment to strict ethics and the social work profession, as well as outstanding professional performance and leadership:

Recipient: Ellen Williams, LCSW, retired, Sutherland, Va.

Social Worker of the Year, the chapter’s highest annual honor of a social worker and an NASW member who has demonstrated service beyond job requirements, has taken risks to achieve results, has contributed to the public's knowledge and positive image of social work, and has demonstrated clear, ethical leadership qualities:

Recipient: Ellen Fink-Samnick, MSW, ACSW, LCSW, CCM, CCTP, CRP, DBH-C, owner of EFS Supervision Strategies, LLC, in Burke, Va.

Public Citizen of the Year, the chapter’s highest honor for an outstanding community member who is not a social work or legislator but whose achievements exemplify the values, ethics, and mission of professional social work:

Recipient: Natasha White, Coordinator, Virginia Coalition on Solitary Confinement

Master of Social Work Student of the Year in recognition of exemplary performance and leadership by an MSW student:

Recipient: Bryant Jenkins, Norfolk State University

Bachelor of Social Work Student of the Year in recognition of exemplary performance and leadership by a BSW student:

Recipient: Rickkita Riddick of Virginia Beach, Norfolk State University

“At a time when social workers have emerged as essential but often invisible mental and behavioral health heroes in the COVID-19 pandemic, NASW Virginia is especially proud to applaud each of these award recipients.” says Debra Riggs, CAE, executive director of NASW Virginia.

The Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers unites thousands of social workers in different specialties and workplaces for professional development, advocacy, and community. Learn more at www.naswva.org.