Professor Daniel Rosen (PI), along with Drs. Rafael Engel, James Huguley, and Brianna Lombardi (Co-Is) have received a new award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for $1,871,836 to provide specialized behavioral health workforce training to Pitt School of Social Work Master of Social Work (MSW) students. Read more.

Doctoral student Dashawna Fussell-Ware has received a new grant from the Staunton Farm Foundation for $23,847. Her project, titled "Countywide Mental Health Literacy Survey" is a collaboration with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PA, Steel Smiling Inc., and The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern PA to conduct a survey of mental health literacy among Black children, adolescents, and transition-age youth between the age of 12-25. Read more.

The Grand Challenges for Social Work's latest issue of Up! featured the work Associate Professor Mary Ohmer and her colleagues are conducting on the effectiveness of collective efficacy to prevent violence. Collective efficacy occurs when neighbors trust one another and can intervene when neighborhood problems arise. Studies have shown that it lowers crime and violence and improves health and well-being. The School of Social Work and the Fineview and Perry Hilltop Citizens Councils are working together to implement a community-based intervention to build collective efficacy. Read more.

Doctoral alumnus Craig Sewall shares his latest research on the fact that practically all academic studies in this area have used highly flawed self-report measures in The Conversation.

Doctoral alumna Kyaien Conner, associate professor of mental health law and policy at the University of South Florida, helped guide new legislation that addresses health disparities across the state of Florida. The bill is designed to improve access to health care through the creation of new initiatives and fiscal resources to support the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity. Read more.

MSW alumnus Paul Lim was named vice-president of mission integration at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital. When asked about his long-term plans for the position with the hospital, Lim said he hopes to call attention to the needs of the marginalized and the poor. Read more.

Blanket and Board, launched by friends and MSW alumnae Colleen Peddycord and Tierra Thorne in June 2020, provides picnic food and accessories for parties, engagements, or even a date for two. This includes a charcuterie board featuring items like bagels, fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, and cheeses, and they offer vegan and gluten-free options. They also provide blankets, tables, candles, flowers, utensils, and more. Read more.