NASW Foundation National Programs

NASW Social Work Pioneers^®

Harold A. Hagen

Harold Hagen's social work career began in North Dakota, where he was the Public Welfare Administrator in several counties during the 1930s. After he completed graduate school and serving in the military, Hagen returned to North Dakota and became the State Director of the Child Welfare and Crippled Children's Services.

In 1953, Hagen became Child Welfare Consultant for the American Public Welfare Association in Chicago; in 1961, he served as the Washington Representative of the Association. In this position, his activities included development of proposals for public welfare legislation, maintaining Congressional relations, and reporting to the association membership on administrative and legislative matters. Prior to his retirement in 1978, he served as acting Director of APWA. After his retirement, he married Pearl Bierman and they now live in Florida.