Chapter Information

Purpose of NASW Alabama Chapter

The Alabama Chapter is constituted to advance the purposes of the National Association of Social Workers in Alabama and to encourage and facilitate participation by all members. It is a basic administrative unit of the National Association of Social Workers, Inc. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.

Chapter Office Staff

Executive Director

Dawn A. Ellis-Murray, MSW, MPA, LICSW-PIP

Dawn A. Ellis-Murray is the Executive Director of NASW-Alabama Chapter. She has a multi-varied background in Social Work Practice, having a 20+ year career which includes longstanding service in Direct Social Welfare Practice with the Mississippi Department of Human Services, Crisis Intervention Therapeutic Care with Catholic Charities, Social Welfare Automated Computer Design in Mississippi, Arkansas, Illinois and Alabama, along with extensive Policy and Administration experience in governmental services. Dawn’s academic background includes a BSBA in Economics, MSW, and an MPA. Dawn is married, has one son and resides in Montgomery, AL.

Administrative Communications Coordinator

VACANT

Membership

Ninety percent of NASW members hold master's degrees in social work. The average NASW member has practiced social work for 16 years and earns over $45,000 per year. Nearly 40% of NASW members say that mental health is their primary practice area. The health sector employs 8% of NASW’s members, and 8% practice in child welfare or family organizations. Six percent of NASW members say school social work is their primary practice area, and another 3% work primarily with adolescents. Ninety-three percent of all NASW members maintain some type of license, certification, or registration in their state; 70,000 also hold advanced credentials from NASW.

Activities

• Advocacy: NASW works to shape legislation and public policy that protects and strengthens the social work profession; promotes health, welfare and education; or in some way strengthens opportunities and social supports for individuals and families.
• Ethics:To protect the public and ensure high quality social work services in communities, NASW enforces a Code of Ethics and works to improve regulation of social work in every state. Thanks to these efforts, all states in the U.S. now license or otherwise regulate social work practice.
• Continuing Education: NASW provides extensive continuing education programs, including professional development conferences, through its chapters. We also offer membership in Specialty Practice Sections
• Publication: NASW annually publishes numerous scholarly reference materials, four quarterly professional journals, comprehensive research abstracts, and a monthly newspaper. It also develops practice updates, newsletters, blogs, position papers, public education materials and other resources to improve social work practice and promote the profession. Learn more at NASW Press.

RESOURCES:

Web: Visit www.socialworkers.org for more information about NASW members and association activities.