Indigenous peoples have been the original caretakers of this land for thousands of years, and their contributions continue to shape our society in profound ways. The unique and strong connections social workers make with communities provide us the opportunity to encourage all Canadians to join us in the continued learning and education about Indigenous history.

This is the places for Summer 2024 professional development opportunities.

As we commemorate the 2024 International Day of Families theme of “Families and Climate Change” (United Nations, n.d.), we underscore the urgency of raising awareness about the profound impacts of climate change on families.

In recognition of Mental Health Week, The Social Workers Association of Alberta stands alongside individuals, families, and communities in advocating for mental health awareness, support, and understanding.

At the Social Workers Association of Alberta, we are excited to celebrate Asian Heritage Month—a time dedicated to honoring the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions from Asian communities worldwide. In Canada, the theme for this year is “Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future: Amplifying Asian Canadian Legacy”.

We are excited to announce that Rasheal Charles has been elected as the President of the Board of Directors of The Social Workers Association of Alberta. Rasheal brings with her a wealth of experience, dedication, and passion for advancing the profession of social work in Alberta.

On April 16, 2024, Canada’s federal government released it’s 2024 Federal Budget. Here are a collection of budget highlights and insights from partners, media, and the Government of Canada.

Social work is a regulated profession committed to making society more equitable and inclusive. Social work is dedicated to improving the functioning of individuals, families, and communities. Social workers can work in a variety of settings such as healthcare, education, child welfare, public policy, non-profits, and the judicial system.

The Board is currently working on electing a new President and want to do so with intention. An announcement about the new leadership will be coming in the next weeks as we look to the future potential of this amazing association.

Celebrating International Women's Day

As we celebrate International Women's Day, it's crucial to take a moment to reflect on the progress made towards gender equality and the work that still lies ahead.

Professional development with The Social Workers Association of Alberta (Spring 2024).

It seems that every generation has lamented the changes in the world that have left them feeling adrift in a relentless and rocky sea with no safe harbour in sight. Social workers have always been called to navigate these murky waters, to somehow fix or solve or do.

SWAA Action Groups are dynamic teams of at least five SWAA members who share a common goal - to collaborate with SWAA and actively represent the interests and actions of social workers across Alberta. If you're ready to make a real impact, this is your opportunity to contribute to meaningful change in our profession and community.

Social Work Week is the ideal time to reflect on our social work ethics. As professional social workers, our practice is grounded in our shared values and ethics. Our professional standards for practice guide our work with our clients, whom are often the most vulnerable members of our society.

Here at The Social Workers Association of Alberta (SWAA), we are thrilled to celebrate Social Work Month throughout the month of March, culminating in Social Work Week from March 4th to March 10th. This year’s theme, “Social Work Practice: Grounded in shared values and ethics,” aligns with the Canadian Association of Social Workers' (CASW) overarching theme of “7 Points of Unity – Many Possibilities,” with a particular focus on the new code of ethics.

We encourage all social workers (and all healthcare professionals) to engage with the government at every opportunity to encourage evidence-based and compassionate policies as the government works to disaggregate Alberta’s healthcare system.

There is no other time of year when we can so readily see our social work values and principles reflected in our communities. All around us we see signs of love, generosity, and compassion.

All social work practitioners, regardless of role or field of practice, seek to ensure that human rights are protected and advanced. As social workers we most often assist those experiencing multiple barriers and face daily acts of violence and discrimination for simply being who they are. Social workers have an ethical imperative to challenge these oppressions and to take action to address them.

The Alberta government recently announced that it is disaggregating Alberta Health Services into four separate government run organizations:

1. Primary Care organization

2. Acute Care organization

3. Continuing Care organization

4. Mental Health and Addiction organization

Find answers to frequently asked questions pertaining to SWAA and its inception. What is SWAA? What will be the benefits of membership? How do I join? Will there be an AGM? How does SWAA membership impact registration with ACSW?