Social workers and community members filled the Leon County Services Center on March 31st for the National Association of Social Workers of Florida’s (NASW-FL) Big Bend Unit’s 2016 Social Work Month Celebration and Award Ceremony. The festive celebration marked the closure of March, also Social Work Month, with the presentation of awards. Some very deserving social workers from the Big Bend area received recognition for their service to the field and the community.

The theme of 2016’s Social Work Month: Social Work – Forging Solutions out of Challenges was highlighted with words of wisdom by Jenny Jones, Chair of the Florida A&M University Department of Social Work and Craig Stanley, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the Florida State University College of Social Work. Various awards were presented by NASW-FL Big Bend Unit members starting with acknowledgement of the nominees for Social Worker of the Year, Matthew Tutterow and FSU alumnus, Jocelyn Fliger (’15).   The presentation of the 2016 Social Worker of the Year award followed to recipient, Michelle Bouthillier.

The 2016 Social Work Educator of the Year award was presented to FSU College of Social Work faculty member Katrina Boone. Her nomination referred to Ms. Boone as a, “consistent champion for social work students.” As the Director of Field Education for the past 11 years, she offers leadership while providing social work supervision training. Her nomination emphasized her role in the development of long-term partnerships between the University and the professional social work community. It also called attention to her outstanding dedication to ensuring that students have rewarding experiences in field by diligently working with students and agencies throughout the process. Her leadership and professionalism are, “a model for students and emerging professionals.” Ms. Boone’s current service with incarcerated women were also noted.

The FSU College of Social Work continued to be well represented as the 2016 Social Work Student of the Year award went to current MSW student, David L. Williams. David was noted in his nomination as performing well through his BSW program at Florida A&M University and for “his leadership role among his peers and for consistently expressing his passion for serving others.” David currently works with youth in the local community as a Therapeutic Assistant at DISC Village. Recently he interned at the Palmer Munroe Teen Center, where he discovered his passion for working with adolescents. During his tenure as vice-president of Commissioned to Love Campus Ministries, he spearheaded programs to support student success and served for three years as a peer mediator with Wolfe Pac.

The award ceremony concluded with Jacqueline Shoenfeld receiving the award for 2016 Public Citizen of the Year, an acknowledgment for her contributions to the social work profession. Award recipients and attendees enjoyed closing words by NASW-FL Big Bend Unit Chair Carol Edwards followed by a celebratory luncheon. To learn more about NASW-FL, visit http://www.naswfl.org/.