North Carolina State Leader Named NASW North Carolina 2022 Social Worker of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1/25/2022

Contact: Seth Maid, Director of Membership and Communication, 919-828-9650, smaid.naswnc@socialworkers.org

(RALEIGH, NC) – The National Association of Social Workers North Carolina

Chapter (NASW-NC) has named Victor R. Armstrong Sr., MSW, the 2022 Social Worker of the Year.

The NASW-NC Social Worker of the Year Award is an annual award given to a social work professional who has demonstrated commendable social work practice and involvement with NASW and other professional, civic, and community organizations in North Carolina.

Victor R. Armstrong Sr. has worked in the field of human and social services for over 30 years and demonstrated proficiency in providing services and advocating for positive community-level change. He has been involved with program leadership and coordination for more than 20 years, including 6 years as Vice President of Behavioral Health with Atrium Health, where he was responsible for their largest behavioral health hospital.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Mr. Armstrong joined the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) as Director of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Substance Abuse Services (MH/DD/SAS), where he observed how the pandemic highlighted racial disparities in North Carolina’s health care system. In 2021, he was appointed as the first NCDHHS Deputy Secretary of Health Equity and Chief Health Equity Officer, responsible for promoting health equity, diversity, and inclusion across the entirety of NCDHHS.

In his roles, he has been outspoken about the impact of the pandemic on communities of color and has strategically brought together significant stakeholders to build and strengthen community resources to serve individuals living with mental illness. And throughout his entire career, he has passionately advocated for policy changes to improve the social and health conditions of the most vulnerable North Carolinians. His numerous recognitions include the Mental Health America’s 2021 H. Keith Brunnemer, Jr. “Outstanding Mental Health Leadership” Award, 2019 Atrium Health Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award, 2012 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NC Mental Health Professional of the Year, and many more. He has been appointed to several board positions addressing service provision, suicide prevention, and equity in North Carolina.

Kurtis Taylor, BSW, the Executive Director of the Alcohol Drug Council of NC said, “Victor Armstrong is a giant in the world of advocacy. His tenacity is only matched by his compassion and heart of service.” Kathryn Falbo-Woodson, MSW, LCSW, added, “Victor fully recognizes and addresses social determinants of health in his work on suicide prevention. He has been a leader in pushing the suicide prevention conversation in this direction on a national level.”

Victor R. Armstrong Sr. will be honored as Social Worker of the Year at the 2022 NASW-NC Virtual Ethics Conference and Awards Celebration on Friday, March 18, 2022.

The National Association of Social Workers North Carolina Chapter (NASW-NC) is a membership organization that promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW-NC also seeks to enhance the effective functioning and wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities through its work and advocacy.