2023 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 their social work professional development. The awards are given to students completing specialized study and displaying outstanding potential as social workers. These awards are made possible by the generosity of alumni and friends of the School. Each award carries a small monetary recognition. Read more about the awards and nominate a student today!

For some Black families in Pittsburgh, finding the right school means choosing between diversity and academic rigor

Dr. Jay Huguley talks to Public Source about his new report-Strength for the Journeys: Lessons from African American Families on Academic Programming and Educational Involvement in Greater Pittsburgh done in partnership with the Pittsburgh College Access Alliance and funded by The Heinz Endowments. Read here.

MSW student places 2nd in Case Competition

MSW student Laura Bessko placed 2nd in the annual Allegheny County Department of Human Services’ Local Government Case Competition. Her team, made of students from Pitt and CMU, addressed the increase in truancy since Covid-19 and the reality that current responses to truancy involve inequitable interventions, overlook unaddressed needs and do not effectively engage school administration in the problem. Their solution offered a universal attendance application, a risk model to consider factors such as IEP status, demographics, housing or food instability, mental health and more, and a Community Coordinator to intervene and remove barriers between the student and family to accessing necessary resources. 

Doctoral Student Awarded Research Funds

Doctoral student Amanda Cruce was awarded funding from two organizations to support her research around flourishing and procedural justice for youth who have aged out of foster care. Her funders are Journey to Success and Sunshine Health. 

You're invited: Age-Friendly Action Plan Release Celebration 12/6

Pitt School of Social Work has teamed up with Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh, part of the World Health Organization’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. Together with Southwestern Pennsylvania Partnership for Aging and Chatham University they are celebrating their Age-Friendly Action Plan 2022-2025!

Please join us on Tuesday, December 6 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Assembly Room in the William Pitt Union (3959 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260). Remarks will begin at 2 p.m.  

Click here to learn more and RSVP

Last call to nominate programs, individuals for 2022 diversity awards

Time is running out to nominate changemakers and visionaries who are advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility across the University of Pittsburgh.

Nominations are being accepted until Dec. 2 for the UPSIDE Award and the Creating a Just Community Awards. Both honors will be presented in January during Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Week.

Read more and nominate someone here.

Pitt Social Work sponsors 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 14th through Friday, December 16th, you can grab a gift tag on display in the Dean’s suite to purchase and return wrapped and unwrapped 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 16. 

MVPC Seeking volunteers for HSCC Tax Site

HSCC is seeking volunteers to help at their Free Tax Preparation site. They are recruiting Tax Preparers and Greeters. HSCC will provide tax preparation on Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week, beginning January 31, 2023 through April 12, 2023.

Volunteers help low to moderate income working families make the most of their tax refunds by providing free federal, state, and local income tax preparation assistance. Prospective volunteers will undergo FREE training to ensure they meet the IRS guidelines. NO prior experience is needed!

If you, or someone you know, might be interested in becoming a free tax preparation volunteer at the HSCC, feel free to contact kgascoine@hscc-mvpc.org or call 412-437-8229.