Lisa Pape Receives Ruth Knee/Milton Wittman Outstanding Achievement Award

NASW Foundation Honors Pape for Work with Homeless Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Association of Social Workers Foundation is pleased to announce that Lisa Pape, MSW, has been awarded the Knee/Wittman Outstanding Achievement Award for her work in assisting homeless veterans.

The Knee/Wittman Awards recognize individuals who are models of excellence and have made significant contributions in the field of health and mental health. The Knee/Wittman Award Program was established in 1990 to recognize those who represent the values, ethics and approaches exemplified by two dedicated social work pioneers, Ruth Knee and Milton Wittman.  The Outstanding Achievement Award is presented to an individual who has had a significant impact on national health or mental health public policy, professional standards or program models.

Lisa Pape is the current National Director of Homeless Programs for the Veterans Health Administration, within the Department of Veterans Affairs. She has, in various capacities, served in the VA for the past 21 years, including work in the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatments Programs, Homeless Outreach, and other veterans’ mental health, substance abuse and homelessness programs. Her work extends assistance not only to veterans themselves, but also to their families.

Recent initiatives under Ms. Pape’s leadership include the Homeless Veteran Supported Employment Program (HVSEP), the HUD-VA Homeless Prevention Demonstration Program, an implementation of the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, and an expansion of the Veterans Justice Outreach Program.

“Lisa Pape is a rare individual who dedicates tireless efforts to assisting those who’ve served their country and who have suffered as a result,” says Robert Arnold, director of the NASW Foundation. “The Social Work profession is fortunate to have such a dedicated person serving the needs of homeless veterans.”

It is with great honor that the NASW Foundation presents Lisa Pape with the Knee/Wittman Outstanding Achievement Award.

The National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF) is a charitable organization created to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through the advancement of social work practice.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with nearly 145,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.