Fran Franklin

Delaware Board of Clinical Social Work Examiners

Term ends: February 2024

Please give a brief biography, including your education, licensure or certification level and employment history:

I received my MSW and Ph.D. from Catholic University in Washington, DC, and I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 25 years. Currently I serve as the Interim Chairperson and as a faculty member at Delaware State University for the Department of Social Work. In addition, I volunteer as a Board Member for the Governor’s Child & Maternal Death Review Commission and the Delaware Prostate Cancer Coalition. My employment history includes working for a non-profit social service agency for over 20 years, and being the Director of their Intensive Outpatient Program. Both positions focused on providing resources that addressed behavioral, emotional, and physical health care issues.

Give a synopsis of your regulatory and professional experience. Please emphasize your involvement with ASWB:

For approximately 15 years, I have served as President and as a member of the Delaware Board of Social Work Examiners. I also have regulatory experience with ASWB. Over the years, I have served on the ASWB Bylaws and Resolutions Committee, the Practice Analysis Task Force, Education Planning Committee, and as a past Director At Large. I have attended the Federal Association of Regulatory Boards conferences and the ASWB Education Meetings to expand my knowledge and skills regarding regulation and protecting the public.

Finally, make a brief statement on the major issues you see facing ASWB, and how you would address them:

I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve as a member of the Nominating Committee. Two of the major issues facing ASWB are providing support for regulatory boards that will protect the public in the current space of technological challenges like AI (artificial intelligence) and addressing the perception of disparities in pass rates for prospective social workers of color, older adults, and those who speak English as a second language. As a Nominating Committee member, I would address those problems by identifying and selecting outstanding candidates for ASWB leadership positions who have technological knowledge and experience, who embrace diversity and inclusion, and who align with ASWB’s goals and strategic priorities.