Barb Whitenect

New Brunswick Association of Social Workers

Term ended: September 2024

Please give a brief biography, including your education, licensure or certification level and employment history:

I am a proud 35 year registered Social Worker from New Brunswick Canada, currently serving as President of Canadian Association of Social Workers in Ottawa. My education history includes a Bachelors of Arts degree (Sociology), Bachelors of Social Work and Masters of Social Work degree (Policy and Administration).

I have serviced my Association NBASW as Vice president, President and Board representative to our National body-Canadian Association of Social Work. I also received the Raoul Leger award for advancement of social justice and social work practice. I am now happily retired but my paid social work practice included work within Mental Health and Addiction, Public Safety and Social Development departments in the Government of New Brunswick. I held the position of Assistant Deputy Minister in Public Safety for 6 years with administration responsibility for Corrections, Probation and Victim services, Licencing for Motor Vehicle and Liquor and Gaming and Fire Arms regulation. My last 5 years as Assistant Deputy Minister for Social Development included administrative responsibility for Child and Family Protection, Senior services and Nursing Homes, Housing and Income Supports.

Give a synopsis of your regulatory and professional experience. Please emphasize your involvement with ASWB:

I have serviced my Association/regulatory body NBASW as Vice president, President and Board representative to our National body-CASW . I also received the Raoul Leger award for advancement of social justice and social work practice. Within ASWB I have had the privilege to serve on the Nomination committee, REAL committee and have received the Sunny Andrews award for outstanding regulatory board service.

I have also participated on project work within ASWB like Census project; new board training and facilitating Board exchange sessions. I have also facilitated educational sessions and presented to the ASWB at board training meetings.

Finally, make a brief statement on the major issues you see facing ASWB, and how you would address them:

I think a major issue facing ASWB and Social Work today is the continuation and advancement of the profession. Recruitment and retention are key issues in our countries and with advancement in interdisciplinary teams Social Work as a profession is at risk. Having clear scope of practice and ensuring regulation of the profession will allow for our youth to turn to Social Work as a profession of choice with a fulfilling mandate. Having strong Code of Ethics for our practice ensures protection of the public and the profession, our practice needs to continue to be aligned with our regulatory function. A STRONG voice for regulation and the professionalization of Social Work is needed now, more than ever!