Awards Process 

Local award winners will be selected by the NASW-Utah board and honored at the Annual Spring Conference. 

Nominations are due by 2/15/2023

Award Categories

The Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates a Utah social worker's lifetime of accomplishments. In honoring the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, NASW Utah Chapter recognizes the best social work values and accomplishments demonstrated in the social worker’s lifetime career.

Criteria: 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, and be an NASW member in good standing.

The Social Worker of the Year Award honors a member of the NASW Utah Chapter who exemplifies the best of the profession’s values and achievements through specific accomplishments. In honoring the Social Worker of the Year, NASW highlights superb accomplishments in the practice of social work.

Criteria: The award recipient must make a demonstrable difference in such areas as advocacy for clients, social policy, social work practice, program development, administration, research; demonstrate outstanding leadership; contribute to a positive image for the social work profession; take risks achieving outstanding results; and be an NASW member in good standing.

Friend of Social Work Award: The NASW Utah Chapter established the Friend of Social Work Award to honor an outstanding member of the community whose accomplishments exemplify the values and mission of professional social work. The award recipient is not a social worker.

Criteria: The award recipient must make a significant contribution to an area or population of concern to the social work profession such as at-risk or vulnerable populations, quality of life in communities, or social issues; act with courage; demonstrate outstanding leadership; and exemplify social work values and ethics.

The Student of the Year Award recognizes social work students who have demonstrated great passion and aptitude for the field of social work.

Criteria: Nominees must be currently enrolled in an MSW, BSW, or Associate/Pre-Social Work program. The award recipient must demonstrate excellence academically, in their field placements (if applicable), and through extra-curricular activities both on and off campus. They must exemplify the NASW Code of Ethics, be passionate about the field of social work, show great promise as a future social worker, and be an NASW Utah member in good standing.

Agencies of the Year Award honors agencies that best exemplify social work values in the field. Using best practices to make positive change in their communities.

Criteria: The agency should promote and uphold NASW standards and Code of Ethics; develop and implement innovative approaches for the provision of more effective services; make a significant contribution to a population of concern to the social work profession (i.e. advocacy for consumers or social workers, impact on social policy, exceptional program and program creation, excellent administrative development, innovative research, etc.); and have a diversity of employees that reflects their clientele and/or has policy that implements culturally competent and anti-racist practice.

Before submitting a nomination please ensure that:

1. The nominee either lives or works in Utah.
2. The nominee for the following categories: Lifetime Achievement Award, Social Worker of the Year, and Social Work Student of the Year, is an NASW Utah member in good standing. (If your nominee is not a member you can still nominate them and if they are selected we will reach out to see if they would like to become a member.)
3. The contact information provided for the nominee is valid.