SSWAG AWARDS

*For specific qualifications and detailed information about awards, please review SSWAG Procedural Guidelines

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School Social Worker of the Year Award - School Social Workers are recognized annually as School Social Worker of the Year (SSWOTY) in their districts.  District members are recognized for this outstanding achievement because of their leadership at district and state levels, political and legislative engagement, commitment to the Code of Ethics and their contributions to the School Social Work profession.

 

The winner of each district will go on to compete at the State level where one will be recognized as the State School Social Worker of the Year

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SSWAG Retiree Award - The award is to be presented to an individual who has given years of service to the profession of School Social Work, been a member of SSWAG and has made the decision to retire from their position under the State Board of Education retirement guidelines.  

 

Presidential Award - This is an annual award presented at the discretion of the presiding President, to an individual and/or organization who has made a significant contribution to SSWAG during the President’s term of office.  

 

Honorary Members - These are people recommended and voted on by the Executive Board before the Winter Board meeting.  They receive a framed certificate denoting free lifetime membership in SSWAG.  They are recognized at the Spring Conference or Spring Awards Banquet. 

 

The Elsie Nesbit Trailblazer Award - The Elsie Nesbit Trailblazer Award was established to honor the contributions of Elsie Nesbit to the profession of Visiting Teachers/The School Social Workers.  Ms. Nesbit was a trailblazer who worked tirelessly to implement Georgia’s first Compulsory Attendance Law in 1945.  She worked with the University Of Georgia School Of Education to develop a professional training program for Visiting Teachers who were responsible for helping children get into school.  Later the Visiting Teacher Program was merged with the University Of Georgia School Of Social Work.

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Friend of Children Award - This is an award presented to an administrator or community leader who has: 

1.       Supported and advocated for school social work services.

2.       Been involved in the development of an innovative program(s) to enhance the delivery of services to students and families in the school/community environment.

3.       Been actively involved in a civic or youth organization or board that positively impacts students and families.