NASW members have elected Jeane W. Anastas, a professor at New York University’s Silver School of Social Work, as the association’s president-elect.
A past president of the Massachusetts Chapter, Anastas has been that chapter’s Social Worker of the Year (1995), a Council on Social Work Education visiting scholar (2006-2007) and recipient of CSWE’s Greatest Recent Contribution to Social Work Education award (2007). She was elected to the National Academies of Practice in Health Care in 2007.
Anastas is the convener of the ANSWER Coalition, whose mission is to increase legislative and executive branch advocacy on behalf of social work education, training and research. An active NASW member since 1986, Anastas currently serves on the NASW Board’s Finance and Workforce Center Advisory committees.
Her national leadership experience includes serving on the boards of the Institute for the Advancement for Social Work Research and the Society for Social Work Research, and she was chair of the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education. She publishes in the areas of women’s issues, LGBT rights, social work education and mental health.
Anastas’ term as president-elect, which she serves under current NASW President James J. Kelly, began July 1 and will end June 30, 2011. From July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2014, Anastas will be the association’s president.
“I am honored that the membership has selected me for the position,” Anastas said. “I want to express my appreciation to current President Jim Kelly as he has offered to work closely with me through this transition. I plan to use this time to work with the Board of Directors to help develop a list of priorities before my term as president begins.”
During the election, Anastas wrote in her platform statement: “NASW has a responsibility to advocate for public policies that advance the profession, create and fund the programs assisting those we serve and enhance social justice. We must address shortages of skilled social workers serving aging, young, and diverse service users. In the changing landscape of health care financing and social services, social work must do more to demonstrate its value and cost-effectiveness in health, behavioral health, chronic and long-term care and health promotion and prevention in ways that engage with practitioners. This time of economic crisis and social change can be one of opportunity for us.”
Anastas also wrote, “NASW must also ensure its own survival through outreach to those who are currently becoming social workers. Enhancing the diversity of professional social workers and NASW membership is also vital. Creative partnering between national and chapter staff and volunteer leaders will continue to be essential to achieving these goals.”
Anastas earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Boston University, an MSW from Boston College and a Ph.D. from Brandeis University.