Stay on top of what’s happening with the association, social work activities, and policies around the province.
Social Work Month 2025 - A Chat with Victoria Ige Onah; Board Member & Secretary.
Victoria Ige Onah, Secretary for the Social Work Association of Alberta Board of Directors, & Board Member, would like to welcome everybody to SWAA Social Work Month 2025!!
Social Work Month 2025 - A chat with our Board Member; Cardinal F.
Cardinal Fomradas, member of the Board of Directors for the Social Work Association of Alberta (SWAA) would like to welcome everybody to SWAA Social Work Month 2025!!
Submit your Content for Social Work Week!
Social Work Month is here, and we want to hear from YOU!
Join us in celebrating the incredible work of social workers by submitting your stories, media, and recognitions to be featured during Social Work Week!
Here’s how you can participate:
Canada Student Loan Forgiveness - List of Occupations - Canada Gazette, Part 1
As announced in Budget 2024, the Government of Canada has committed to expanding the list of occupations eligible for Canada Student Loan Forgiveness
Social Work Month: March 2025
Social work thrives on building relationships, fostering networks, and creating meaningful connections that drive positive change. Whether through advocacy, collaboration, or direct support, the power of connection is what strengthens individuals, families, and communities.
Theme: Connections - Fostering Networks & Driving Positive Change;
Social Work Week: March 17 - 21, 2025
March marks Social Work Month 2025—a time to honor the invaluable contributions of social workers who uplift individuals, families, and communities every day. This year, SWAA’s Theme is Connections—together, we embark on a journey of discovery, strengthening relationships, fostering collaboration, and celebrating the profound impact of social work.
Social Work Week with SWAA is March 17–21, 2025. Each day, we’ll bring you engaging activities designed to inspire, connect, and uplift the social work community. Get ready to participate in:
Invitation for Board Applications.
Do you have a passion to be involved in shaping and leading the future direction of the new Social Workers Association of Alberta? We invite you to consider running as a candidate for the Board of Directors!
Executive Director Update
We are excited to welcome Angela Fawcett to the Social Workers Association of Alberta team!
2024 SWAA AGM Meeting Minutes Now Available
The Social Workers Association of Alberta (SWAA) held its Second Annual General Meeting on September 24, 2024. See here for meeting minutes and answers to questions asked.
Welcome to the new directors!
We shared some exciting updates at our Second Annual General Meeting on September 24, 2024.
The Board of Directors is thrilled to welcome Arlene Eaton-Erickson, Levis Kabahizi, Roshan Kunjachan, and Julia Nicholls, who were elected by acclamation, as well as our incoming Executive Director, Angela Fawcett. We’re eager to work together as we continue to move the association forward.
Annual General Meeting
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the 2024 annual general meeting (the “AGM”) of The Social Workers Association of Alberta (“SWAA”) is scheduled to take place on September 24, 2024.
A Conversation with Dr. Linda Kongnetiman-Pansa
We are excited to share a conversation with our esteemed guest speaker for our second AGM, Dr. Linda Kongnetiman-Pansa, written by our valued board member Cardinal Fomradas.
Executive Director Update
Harold Pliszka is exiting the position of Executive Director on July 22, 2024. Harold was The Social Workers Association of Alberta’s first executive director, and SWAA’s board of directors would like to thank him for his efforts in operationalizing our professional association.
From the Desk of the Board
We are excited to introduce "From the Desk of the Board". This monthly update is designed to keep you informed about key developments, decisions, and insights from the Board of Directors.
Are you prescribing nature yet?
PaRx is Canada’s national, evidence-based nature prescription program. With a network of more than 13,000 Canadian healthcare providers prescribing nature, The Social Workers Association of Alberta is proud to endorse this nature-health initiative.
A Union Perspective
Unionizing Alberta social workers will yield significant benefits, particularly in terms of addressing job-related stress, improving working conditions, ensuring fair compensation. A union could advocate for manageable caseloads, mental health support, and professional development opportunities, enhancing job satisfaction and retention.
Paid vs. Unpaid Practicums
The issue of whether practicums should be compensated remains contentious. This report examines the current cost of living crisis in Canada, the hidden costs of practicums, the conflicts that unpaid practicums have with the CASW code of ethics, and a recommendation for a federally paid practicum program for Canada's social work and public service students.
Brain Story Certification
Brain Story emphasizes supporting children and families throughout all stages of development, including prenatal development. It explains how early childhood trauma and toxic stress affect neural connections and lifelong health, leading to issues such as emotional dysregulation, depression, anxiety, impaired executive function, chronic illness, and addiction.
Canada Pension Plan
The Alberta Government is contemplating pulling Alberta out of the Canada Pension Plan to create an Alberta Pension Plan (Coulter & Zapata, 2024). It is imperative that Albertans learn more about the Canada Pension Plan and the proposed Alberta Pension Plan. Last week, CPP Investments gave a presentation to SWAA members.