Conner selected for 2024 ACC Academic Leaders Network cohort

Center on Race and Social Problems Director and Associate Dean for Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Kya Conner was chosen to participate in the 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Academic Leaders Network program.

The program, which was launched in 2018, provides an opportunity for faculty at ACC institutions strengthen their leadership skills, build networks, deepen their understanding of higher education administration and broaden their awareness of needs and challenges in higher ed. Read more.

State DHS, Pitt Social Work partner for mental health certification

The University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services announced a new partnership Wednesday for a program that will offer eligible Medicaid mental health providers the opportunity to obtain a trauma-informed therapy certification at no cost.

This certification program, organized by DHS’s Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, will provide high-quality Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) training and certification to qualified Medicaid mental health providers in Pennsylvania. Read more.

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!

RFP for the SPRING 2024 Community Projects RFP due today

Students in the COSA (Community, Organization, and Social Action) Specialization in the MSW Program develop and implement projects as part of their central grades in two of our core courses. Since the Fall of 2017, we have engaged community organizations and students in completing over 65 community projects.  

Click this link to access the RFP. You can also access the RFP using the QR Code.

Proposals will be reviewed by the professors to determine if they meet the requirements outlined in the RFP. Organizations submitting proposals that meet the requirements will be asked to present your project to students at the Community Organizing and Planning Class on Tuesday, January 16th (class is from 6:00-8:50 PM) or the Community Planning and Development Class on January 18th (class is from Noon-2:50 PM). 

Successful projects are feasible so that they can be completed in one semester; they develop and build on skills in community organizing, community development and/or community planning; outline clear and specific roles and tasks for the students and the organization; and maintain ongoing communication (students meet at least biweekly with an designated community organization liaison). Moreover, students do not serve as interns but collaborative partners who will work with your organization on the proposed project. 

PROPOSALS DUE TODAY JANUARY 8, 2024

PhD student wins travel funding for SSWR 2024

Jenn Lee, a Ph.D. student, has been nominated with the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Doctoral Student Travel Award for the forthcoming 2024 Annual Conference, taking place from January 10-14, 2024, in Washington, DC. This award, granted by the SSWR Research Capacity Development Committee (RCDC), recognizes her commitment and contributions to the field. Designed to promote the involvement of doctoral student presenters from diverse backgrounds, this award provides essential support for attending and presenting at the SSWR Annual Conference, offering a travel stipend and complimentary conference registration.

PhD student wins funding

Doctoral student Daniel k. Abusuampeh won a grant of $5000 in funding for the "Bridging Cultures and Fostering Dialogue: Engaging University Community and African Students in Discourse on Tribal Equity" proposal through the University of Pittsburgh's Year of Discourse and Dialogue initiative.

PhD student part of webinar panel

Amanda Cruce, doctoral student, had the honor of presenting at Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation’s and Mathmatica webinar "Emerging Practices for Supporting LGBTQI+ Young People Across Human Services Programs." She presented on lived experience as a foster parent, programming, and research. Read more and watch recording here.

Megan Pellechio: It isn’t fair, the life of Pittsburgh’s unhoused. It isn’t humane.

Read this powerful op-ed from MSW student Megan Pellechio: "We can do hard things, but we can also do easy things. We keep going to Smithfield Street after the shelter closes. We refuse to abandon the unhoused of our city. We set up tables and load hot food onto them. We fill a baby pool with ice and drinks. People line up; we count over two hundred. We turn speakers on and play music and people dance on the sidewalk and in the street and they are beautiful." Read in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.