The Kansas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers has named two Lawrence residents as its Social Worker of the Year and Public Citizen of the Year for 2006.

Marcia Epstein, executive director of Headquarters Counseling Center, was named the top social worker, and former Journal-World reporter Dave Ranney was named public citizen of the year during the annual MoKan Clinical Institute on Oct. 13 in Overland Park.

Epstein leads a full-time staff of social workers and 40 volunteers to provide crisis response for traumatic events, suicide survivor support services and support to parents, teenagers and children in Lawrence and Baldwin. Epstein was recognized for achievements, including collaborating with the United Way of Douglas County and the Lawrence Public Library to develop an information and referral program.

The chapter recognized Ranney, who is now a senior writer and editor for the Kansas Health Institute, for his coverage of issues in social work, health and mental health during his career as a reporter in Kansas.