NOMINATIONS OPEN: Excellence in Social Work Practice Awards

Excellence in Social Work Practice Awards recognize Master’s students in the Pitt School of Social Work who demonstrate exemplary commitment to professional development. The awards are given to students completing specialized study and displaying outstanding potential as social workers. The generosity of alumni and friends of the School makes the awards possible, including a small monetary recognition.

Read full list of awards and nominate someone today!

Allegheny County public libraries offer unique social work services

The Allegheny County Library Association has partnered with the University of Pittsburgh to create a Library Social Work Fellowship program that brings social services right to the library. Fellows were placed in three libraries in Allegheny County during the program’s first year. Currently, student fellows are placed in 11 libraries around the county. Read more.

Doctoral student wins poster award

Doctoral student Jenn (Hyunjin) Lee, along with the lead author and a doctoral student Jeesoo Jeon at Case Western Reserve University, received a TOP TEN POSTER AWARD and a $1,000 cash prize at 2023 Global Flourishing Conference (GFC): Advancing Science and Solutions for a Flourishing World. The GFC is an annual global virtual conference that aims to bridge interdisciplinary knowledge into practical tools, exploring the essence of humanity and harnessing our inherent capabilities to unlock the full potential of humankind. Assistant Professor, Dr. Deborah Moon provided mentoring and guidance while contributing to the project as the 3rd author. The study focused on examining the interaction effects between religious support and chronic household adversities on youth flourishing using the 2020 National Survey of Children’s Health dataset.

Calling all SSW Faculty, Students and Staff! CRSP is looking for collaborators for a new initiative! 

The Center on Race and Social Problems (CRSP) is partnering with the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh through the creation of a new Policy and Research Committee.

They are currently seeking interested SSW faculty, students and staff to participate in an impactful initiative aimed at creating a "State of Black Pittsburgh Report." They are currently assembling workgroups to comprehensively assess and analyze the socio-economic landscape of the African-American community in Pittsburgh. This collaborative effort will examine key areas of importance and propose actionable solutions by incorporating existing data where possible while also examining where new data needs to be gathered. Read more about the project and how to get involved!

Goodfellows: West End P.O.W.E.R hopes to make the holidays brighter for deserving children

The nonprofit West End P.O.W.E.R. has collaborated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work on a project to create safe spaces, bolster community connections, and support young people in West End neighborhoods. Read about how to support their efforts this season in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

2023 40 Under 40 Honoree: Christopher Robinson

MSW alumnus Christopher Robinson, Bachelor of Social Work Program Director and Assistant Professor of Social Work, Penn State Greater Allegheny, has been recognized as one of Pittsburgh's 40 under 40 by Pittsburgh Magazine. Read more.

Undergraduate student intern profiled

Pitt undergraduate Maddie Morelli, a student in Dr. Jeff Shook's Introduction and Foundations of the Welfare State classes, is the Spotlight Volunteer for the Center of Life in Hazelwood. Read about her work here.

Adverse Childhood Experiences webinar series to debut in February 2024

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur during childhood and have been linked to premature death and a variety of health, behavioral, and social outcomes. In fact, at least five of the top 10 leading causes of death are associated with ACEs. Examples of ACEs include various forms of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, as well as broader community and societal factors such as community violence and bullying. This series aims to reduce and even prevent the impact of ACEs with the support of health care providers, community health center staff, and social services personnel working in community settings.  

All sessions will meet online Thursdays from 10–11 a.m. Eastern time: 

• February 8, 2024: Adverse Childhood Experiences: What Public Health Practitioners and Health Care Providers Should Know 
• February 15, 2024: Disrupting Adverse Childhood Experiences with Trauma-informed Health Care Practices 
• February 22, 2024: Mending Adverse Childhood Experiences with Trauma-informed Communication 

We encourage you to join us for all three webinars as the curriculum builds as we go along. Click here for more information and to register.

School of Social Work Holiday Toy Drive

We are excited to continue supporting our community partners Primary Care Health Services and Alma Illery Medical Center in Homewood as they brings holiday cheer to children ages 4 months through 13 years. From Monday, November 27th through Wednesday, December 13th, you can grab a gift tag on display in the Dean’s suite to purchase and return wrapped gifts for children. 

Suggested gift items include: books; toys; games; non-flammable jammies; and gift cards. All donations should be placed in the donation collection box—in the Dean’s suite—by 5PM on Friday, December 15th.

Hygiene Drive

In support of Pittsburgh Public School students!

We are collecting new and unopened hygiene products for students attending Pittsburgh Milliones 6-12 school (U Prep). From Dec. 4 - Dec. 18 we are collecting:

• Soap & Bodywash
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste & Toothbrushes
• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Menstrual Products
• Mouthwash
• Floss

Please leave donations in 2117 (Dean's Office).