SASW Distinguished Service Award

Recipient: Grace Jasper, Regina, SK 

Grace received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Regina in May of 1982 and a Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Toronto in June 1991. She worked as a social worker in Long Term care at Wascana Rehabilitation Centre and moved from there to be Director of Regina Assessment & Placement Service. This was the beginning of an integrated and coordinated system of assessment & placement into the Regina Health District and became the Client Assessment Service. Grace later worked as a Manager with System Wide Admission & Discharge Department, Regina Health Region, and retired in 2002. She has continued to return to the region periodically to work as Client Representative. From 1999 to the present, Grace also worked as a sessional lecturer at the University of Regina, Faculty of Social Work, teaching classes in health care. 

A major focus of Grace’s practice has been her work in geriatrics. It was the focus of her Master Program at the University of Toronto. She has studied extensively in this field of social work and has worked to develop programs such as Respite Care and Day Programs for the elderly.  Grace has taught  classes on “Aging”. She has given numerous presentations to government, administrators, students, health care workers, church groups, care-giver groups, support groups, and senior groups regarding various issues and needs of people who are struggling with “aging”. 

Grace has volunteered extensively. For the past two years she has been a Meyers Briggs Facilitator. For six years, she has been a member representative on the University of Regina Senate, representing the University of Saskatchewan Alumni Association. For 10 years, she co-chaired the Committee for Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Regina Archdiocese. Grace was a representative for 20 years and a Board Member for four years for the Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation. She has served as a National Board Member for 15 years with Foster Parent Plan (Canada). 

For Grace’s outstanding and continuing contribution to the social work profession, she deserves to be awarded this honor.