FORT WALTON BEACH — The National Association of Social Workers has selected Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel as Florida's Social Worker of the Year.
The award — presented by Jim Aiken, executive director of NASW's Florida Chapter — praised Ketchel for more than 40 years' contributions to the field of social work.
She participated in President Jimmy Carter’s White House Conference on Families, was recognized by President Ronald Reagan for her work on the Social Security Commission, and worked as a technical adviser to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means.
After moving to Florida in 1987, Ketchel was active in many aspects of the social work field, including as director of Catholic Charities and as a private counselor. Ketchel also was appointed as the senior legislative director for Sen. Don Gaetz, during which time Ketchel worked to pass legislation creating the Masters-level Social Work program at the University of West Florida.
Ketchel — the Okaloosa County Commission's only current female — is the first licensed clinical social worker to hold office in Northwest Florida. She serves as a member of the Gubernatorial Florida Faith-Based and Community-Based Advisory Board.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Carolyn Ketchel, Okaloosa commissioner, named Florida's Social Worker of the Year