The National Association of Social Workers (USA) has announced that Anthony “Angelo” McClain has been named as its new Chief Executive Officer and will lead efforts to grow and support the social work profession in the United States. He will succeed Elizabeth J. Clark who has led the organization since 2001.
Dr. McClain joins NASW after serving six years as Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. While there, he oversaw a budget of $850 million and a workforce of 3,500 employees to address reports of abuse and neglect for the state’s most vulnerable children, partnering with families to help them better nurture and protect their children.
Born in Texas, USA, Angelo McClain holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from West Texas State University, a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington and a PhD in Social Work from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work.
“The NASW Board of Directors is delighted to welcome Dr. McClain to NASW,” says Jeane Anastas, NASW President and IFSW President for North America. “As one of the fastest growing professions in the U.S., social work is poised to help the nation improve services for mental health, youth development, aging, caregiving, health care reform, and much more. We are confident that our organization, its members, and the communities social workers serve, will benefit greatly from Dr. McClain’s expertise and leadership in providing social work services for those in need.”
Welcoming the appointment, Rory Truell, IFSW Secretary General, congratulated Angelo McClain on his new role within the international family of social workers. ‘NASW is a founder member of IFSW and has remained at the heart of international social work’, Rory observed, ‘actively engaged in developing policy for global social work and supporting emerging associations. I look forward to working closely with Angelo and the NASW team as we build on The Global Agenda for Social Work and continue to strengthen the global profession.
‘There will be other opportunities to acknowledge the work of Betsy Clark, retiring CEO of NASW’, Rory continued. ‘However I am pleased to recognise now her tremendous contribution not only to NASW but also her unyielding support for the international profession of social work and IFSW in particular. The global social work family wishes her well for the future.’
For more information visit the NASW website.
Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development