For Immediate Release
August 27, 2004 |
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Kathleen Borland, LCSW, ACSW receives the 2004
International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award Presented
by the NASW Foundation
Washington-- The National Association of Social
Workers Foundation (NASWF) is pleased to name Kathleen Borland, MSW,
ACSW as the winner of the 2004 International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award.
The International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award is given to an individual,
group, or organization that has significantly advanced the public
image of professional social work. This monetary prize is made possible
from an endowment fund established by a generous contribution in
1996 from distinguished social worker Rhoda G. Sarnat, LCSW and Bernard
Sarnat, MD.
Ms. Borland has been instrumental in organizing international exchange
opportunities for social workers in Illinois as Chair of the International
Activities Network (IAN) through the NASW-IL chapter. This organization
consists of more than 30 volunteer social workers from the state
who work in youth and family agencies; community-based services;
universities; county and state government; court services; and hospitals.
These social workers participate in exchange programs through the
Chicago Sister Cities International Program (CSCIP) where Ms. Borland
organizes the exchange of social service professionals.
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley appointed Ms. Borland to the Board of
Directors of CSCIP in 2004. Through Ms. Borland's efforts over the
last seven years—with IAN and CSCIP—more than 600 social service
professionals from three continents have directly participated in
IAN's eleven exchange programs.
Thousands of social service professionals worldwide have benefited
from Ms. Borland's work through written reports, publications, and
presentations given by exchange delegates, which have covered issues
ranging from poverty and substance abuse to child abuse and human
rights violations.
These exchange delegates have publicized the importance of social
work in the global community and have had major impacts on systems
changes. For example, a Birmingham , England delegate redesigned
the Social Services Department's Juvenile Offender Programs to reflect
lessons learned in Chicago .
A Durban , South Africa delegate took a Chicago foster care training
program and initiated its Department of Social Welfare's first training
for foster parents.
According to Ms. Thobie Mhlongo, the Durban , South Africa delegate “I
have no doubt that both cities have contributed to a program that
will change the face of social work practice with children, youth,
and families forever.”
“Kathleen has made a difference through her dream and believing
in it and by being creative and innovative,” says Fikile N.M. Mazibuko,
Executive Dean, University of KwaZulu-Natal , South Africa , and
host to a Fall 2004 exchange for Chicago social workers.
A centuries-old court mediation service in Hamburg , Germany for
the first time began to explore strategies involving children in
mediation, mandated mediation, and multi-cultural techniques.
According to Jürgen Tormählen, former head of International
Relations at the Hamburg State Youth Authority, “Kathleen is a driving
power in development of international relations. She is an excellent
representative of American social work. She continues to make a positive
impact on the public perception of social work on the international
stage.”
Ms. Julie Stagliano, Director of the CSCIP says, “Ms. Borland has
been instrumental in ensuring success and sustainability of the exchange
idea through the successful pattern of multi-country and city participation.”
“There will be future exchanges with Accra , Ghana ; Delhi , India
; and Mexico City , Mexico ,” Stagliano adds.
Ms. Borland 's full-time occupation is family mediation for the
Circuit Court of Cook County , headed by Chief Judge Timothy Evans.
Judge Evans, along with Domestic Relations Presiding Judge Moshe
Jacobius, and Dr. David Royko, Director of the Marriage & Family
Counseling Service, the court's mediation service for which Ms. Borland
works, have been exceptionally supportive of her innovative ideas,
allowing Ms. Borland the freedom to pursue her international work.
She earned her MSW from Loyola University of Chicago, School of Social
Work and a BA from Barat College in Lake Forest , IL .
To interview Ms. Borland, please contact NASW Communications at media@naswdc.org
For more information about the NASW Foundation or awards, please
contact NASWF via email at naswfoundation@naswdc.org
The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF),
in Washington , DC , focuses
on enhancing the well-being of individuals, families, and communities
through the advancement of social work practice.
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