BATON ROUGE – Linda A. Howard-Curtis, school social worker at Pierre A. Capdau Charter School, has been selected by the Louisiana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) to receive the 2016 Louisiana Social Worker of the Year award. Howard-Curtis has also earned the distinction of NASW's 2016 School Social Worker of the Year for the Houma/ Thibodeaux region.
"I am truly humbled and honored to be selected for these prestigious awards," said Howard-Curtis. "Every day gives me the opportunity to do something for my students and I will always give 1000 percent to make sure they have everything that they need. I share this award with my Capdau and New Beginnings family."
Howard-Curtis began her career as a social worker immediately following her graduation from the University of New Orleans in 1983 with an undergraduate degree in sociology. From there, she received additional training in the area of substance abuse. She then continued her education receiving her Master's in Social Work from Southern University in New Orleans in 1991.
"The Capdau team and family are very proud of Mrs. Curtis and her accomplishments," said Rulonda Green, Principal of Capdau. "Our Social Worker Extraordinaire, Mrs. Curtis, is truly deserving of this award because she is dedicated, hardworking, caring and always puts the best interest of our students at the forefront. We salute Mrs. Curtis for always doing things the Capdau Way and truly celebrate her for being recognized by the region and state".
Howard-Curtis has secured over $15,000 of free school uniforms for students. In addition, she has secured school supplies, materials and other needed resources for children in the New Orleans Public School system through her relationship with the Adopt-A-Family program.
"Linda serves as an inspiration to all of us," said Sametta Brown, CEO of New Beginnings Schools Foundation. "She goes above and beyond for all of our students and is truly deserving of this distinguished award. The entire NBSF family is so proud of all of her accomplishments."
Howard-Curtis has received the NASW's Outstanding African American Social Worker for Black History Month in 2009, 2011 and 2013. She is one of the first recipients of the Southern University at New Orleans' Millie Charles Professional Leadership Award in 2011. She is an active member of the NASW-LA's Political Action Committee on Elections and a member of the National Association of Black Social Workers. Howard-Curtis is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., New Orleans Alumnae Chapter, where she serves on the Louisiana State Leadership Team.
The 2016 Louisiana School Social Worker of the Year will be awarded at the Annual Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Match 16, 2016, at the Hilton Capitol Center Hotel in Baton Rouge, LA.