CASW is the national professional association, and operates within a Federated Model. The CASW Federation consists of Partner Organizations, as well as social workers members from the provinces of Ontario and Quebec who choose to become members. CASW is governed by a Board of Directors - composed of representatives from each partner organization - and is a member of numerous national coalitions. The Executive Director and the staff working under him at the national office operationalize the Association's Strategic Plan. 

The Strategic Plan is an aspirational document meant to guide CASW's operations.