The CASW Award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of social welfare and for the profession of social work in Canada.  It is hard to think of someone more deserving than Barbara Whitenect.

Barb obtained her Bachelor of Social Work at St. Thomas University in 1991 and followed that by obtaining her Masters of Social Work from Carleton University in 1992.

Barb has been a member in good standing with the NBASW since 1992.  She has been actively involved with the provincial NBASW since 2007first as vice-president.  Barb is currently the President of the NBASW and represents the NBASW on the national and international front with her active involvement with CASW, CCSWR and ASWB. 

She has been a key player in leading NBASW to adopt its first Scope of Practice. Barb identifies herself as a social worker at every opportunity.  She has provided social work education to social work students – both by teaching at St. Thomas University and by supporting field placement opportunities for students within her workplace.

Barb is currently employed in a Director`s Position for the Department of Health, attached to the Central Office Mental Health Services for New Brunswick. By her many skills and knowledge, Barb is often solicited by her peers to be involved with and take on various projects around the province and even on a National level.  She is a great leader for our membership and staff of NBASW, her ongoing involvement has brought our Association to a higher level of both administrative issues and constructive political working relationships.

Barb represents social work proudly and is dedicated to the advancement of the profession and she is an inspiration to many of us.  It is for this reason that she is the ideal candidate for the 2013 CASW Distinguished Service Award.