NASW Hires New CEO To Lead Fast Growing Social Work Profession

Dr. Anthony "Angelo" McClain will assume leadership for the 140,000 member association in May

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association of Social Workers is pleased to announce that Anthony "Angelo" McClain, PhD, LICSW, has been named 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, PhD, ACSW, MPH, who has led the organization since 2001.

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Dr. McClain joins NASW after serving six years as Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, a position appointed by Governor Deval Patrick.  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.

Prior to that position, Dr. McClain was Vice President and Executive Director of the New Jersey Division of Child Behavioral Health Service Center (Value Options) where he built and oversaw administrative, clinical and quality management program infrastructures that increased access to behavioral health services for children and youth, including those in the juvenile justice system. His team also developed a web-based information management system to improve real-time access to case information by child services personnel.  

As Vice President of Network Management and Regional Operations for the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership, Dr. McClain developed and maintained a provider network capable of delivering high quality, responsive services to 450,000 Mass Health members.

A native of Texas and an alumnus of Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, he 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.  Dr. McClain is an adjunct faculty member in the Urban Leadership Program at Simmons College Graduate School of Social Work.

"The NASW Board of Directors is delighted to welcome Dr. McClain to NASW," says NASW President Jeane Anastas, PhD, LMSW. "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." 

The National Association of Social Workers, an $80 million membership association in Washington D.C., has 56 chapters in the United States and abroad. NASW is comprised of several different organizations including a 501 (c)(6) membership organization, a 501 (c)(3) foundation, a political action committee, a policy think tank, a professional press, a legal defense fund, a workforce research center, and a for-profit insurance company. NASW was founded in 1955 and created the social work profession's Code of Ethics. 

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 140,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.

SOURCE National Association of Social Workers