Diversity Committee
In March of 2008 The National Association of Social Workers – New York State Chapter established a Diversity Committee consisting of a diverse group of members with broad range leadership and practice experience as well as an interest in issues of diversity. The task force is charged with developing policies and procedures to inform the practices of the organization in its pursuit to achieve equity, accessibility, and representation of individuals from racial and ethnically diverse backgrounds within all aspects of the association.
Submit inquiries to Jacqueline Melecio: Jacqueline_Melecio@naswnys.org
Bertha Jacobs, LCSW-R, Chair, I learned my MSW at SUNY Stony Brook, School of Social Welfare. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have been a member of NASW for more than 27 years. I have a diverse clinical and administrative experience. I remain committed to the profession, the continued education of social work professionals, social work education, and the education and empowerment of the populations the profession serves.
I am an active NASW member on the local and state level. I had been elected to the delegate Assembly previously, but was unable to complete the term due to several family emergencies. I presently serve on the Central Division Steering Committee, serve as the Chair of the NYS Chapter Diversity Committee, and have served on numerous other committees over the years. I am committed to my profession and my professional organization. “Social Workers do make a difference in every facet of our communities.”
Elizabeth Agnello, MSW, graduating from Mount Holyoke College with a B.A. in economics and Japanese. She then traveled to Japan where she was a teacher in the JET Program for four years. Elizabeth returned to the States to work as Associate Director for Resource Development at the Asian University for Women in Cambridge, MA. For the last two years, she has worked as Program Coordinator for the Starlight Children’s Foundation of WNY, which serves children with life-threatening illnesses with the goal of increasing their quality of life through enjoyable and innovative activities. Elizabeth is currently an MSW student at the University of Buffalo.
Barry Davis, LCSW-R, has been the Family Specialist on the Schenectady ACT Team since August 2004. Prior to this position he has worked as a Social worker at Albany County Nursing Home for over five years. Barry has been a foster parent and currently an adoptive parent. He currently serves as the CNLI Representative for the Northeast Division and is a member of the Diversity Committee of the Chapter. Barry has served as Northeast Division Director and a member of the Northeast Steering Committee ever since he received his MSW degree in 1997. He is a Field Instructor for the University at Albany SSW.
Patricia Maxon, LMSW
Pat Maxon is an LMSW in Albany, New York. She received her BSW and MSW from the State University of New York at Albany, School of Social Welfare. She has been a social work classroom instructor, field instructor and program advisor. Ms. Maxon has 35 years of experience which includes positions in health care, aging services, community based family services and information and assistance networks. Throughout her career, she has found a professional touchstone and support in NASW, its members and standards. She has proudly served the Association in elected and appointed leadership positions at the division, chapter, regional and national levels.
Antonio Regulier, a Haitian native from Roosevelt, New York, Antonio Regulier is a student at the State University of New York at Fredonia pursuing a dual degree: a bachelors of Science in Social Work and bachelors of Arts in English with minors in Leadership Studies, Public Health, and African-American Studies. On campus, he is a research assistant under Dr. Rolanda Ward completing a qualitative study comparing BSW degree holders to non-BSW degree holders and who are better prepared and more qualified to work in child welfare. Also, Antonio is president of the Student Association and Amnesty International.
Elaine Rinfrette, Ph.D., LCSW-R, has 20 years of clinical social work experience in outpatient mental health and hold an LCSW-R. Since completing her doctoral degree, Elaine is an assistant professor and new director of the MSW program at Edinboro University of PA. She is interested in the areas of trauma, mental health, caregiving, and substance abuse.
David Stayer, LCSW-R, has been a professional social worker for over fifty years, and active in NASW since 1995. I am First Vice President and one of the founders of the Human Services Division of the National Federation of the Blind. I have thirty years experience working with legislators on the state and national level. In the Nassau Division of NASW I have been a member of the Steering Committee since 1996. My work in a hospital setting has improved my skills in supervision, staff development and advocacy.