The Lifetime Achievement Award honors a social worker who has devoted his or her career to the social work profession and has been exceptional in their service on behalf of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.

In addition to meeting all criteria for Social Worker of the Year, Nominees must also demonstrate:

✓ Repeated outstanding achievement in the field of social work;
✓ Outstanding creativity and courage;
✓ Contributions with a lasting impact; and
✓ Recognition beyond the social work profession.

The Champion of Justice Award honors a social worker who has made significant strides working on a prominent social and/or economic justice issue. The individual considered for this award should pursue social change, with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups. As part of their efforts, nominees should promote sensitivity to and knowledge about cultural and ethnic diversity while striving to ensure access to needed resources; promoting equality of opportunity; and encouraging meaningful participation in decision making for all people above and beyond the standard commitment.

Nominees must:

✓ Display a strong and continual commitment to social and/or economic justice;
✓ Mentor and advocate for and with vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups; and
✓ Demonstrate compassion and leadership to eliminate discrimination, oppression, and injustice;
✓ Make marked achievements while working towards social and economic justice for underserved and disadvantaged populations.

The Public Citizen of the Year Award recognizes a non-social worker who, through business, professional, and/or community activities, best exemplifies the goals and ideals of the social work profession. The individual considered for this award must have made outstanding contributions to health and human services beyond the expectations of their job.

Nominees must:

✓ Demonstrate leadership and make important contributions to health and human services;
✓ Outstanding creativity and courage;
✓ Help improve the quality of life in the community and/or ameliorate a pressing social problem;
✓ Advocate for or take risks on behalf of one or more of social work’s client groups; and
✓ Act in concert with the ethics and values of the social work profession.

The Agency of the Year Award honors an agency, department, organization, or government entity within the NASW-NYS catchment area, which best exemplifies social work values in the field.

Nominees agencies must:

✓ Develop and implement innovative approaches for the provision of more effective services;
✓ Make a significant contribution to an area or population of concern to the social work profession such as advocacy for consumers, social policy, exceptional practice, program creation, administration development, and/ or innovative research;
✓ Employ a diverse staff that reflects clientele and exemplify culturally competent practice; and
✓ Advocate for or take risks on behalf of one or more of social work’s client groups; and
✓ Promote and uphold NASW Code of Ethics in organizational operations and enterprises.

The Social Work Student of the Year award is presented to a Master- and/or Baccalaureate-level social work student who has demonstrated academic excellence and active pursuit of the values, knowledge, and skills of the social work profession as defined by the NASW Code of Ethics. Current students as well as those who have graduated within six months of the nomination deadline are eligible for this award.

Nominees must:

✓ Develop and implement innovative approaches for the provision of more effective services;
✓ Exhibit academic excellence;
✓ Demonstrate leadership skills and involvement within the University/College or greater community setting; and
✓ Engage in work or volunteer commitments that emphasize a strong desire and capacity to make a difference in the lives of others, through the use of social work knowledge, skills and abilities; practice, and advocacy.