Ruth Schwartz School Social Worker of the Year Award

Ruth Efron Schwartz was a School Social Worker who bettered the profession of School Social Work. She believed in the importance of School Social Workers as well as helping the children and families in her care. Ruth often went the extra mile, including delivering coal to families’ homes when needed. Ruth was a founding member of the New York State School Social Workers’ Association (NYSSSWA). She was responsible for picking the organization’s colors i.e. blue to encourage students to reach for the sky, and white to encourage School Social Workers to be pure and true in their work with children.

In her honor, the Ruth Schwartz Award is given each year to a School Social Worker who exemplifies the qualities that Ruth Schwartz demonstrated throughout her career as a School Social Worker. The award reads “in appreciation to your commitment to the field of school social work and your dedication to the children and families we serve.”

See Past Award Recipients Here.  

Nomination Process

If you would like to nominate an outstanding School Social Worker, please use the Nomination Form below:  

Please consider a School Social Worker who is:

• Dedicated to helping the children and families in his/her care.
• Advances the School Social Work profession, and
  
• Is a NYSSSWA Member  (You can contact member.services@nyssswa.org to verify membership status.)
• 2023 Nomination Deadline is October 13, 2023