Pittsburgh’s incarceration rate remains low, but not in these neighborhoods

Ron Idoko, Associate Director of the Center on Race and Social Problems and Assistant Professor Leah Jacobs spoke to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about underlying factors that are associated with higher incarceration rates and the impact of housing policies on those neighborhoods. Read more.

Kidsburgh: Pitt's 'Parenting While Black' workshop

Parenting is not easy, but it can be even more difficult for Black families who are trying to navigate how to help their kids deal with racism. A new workshop called "Parenting While Black" based at the University of Pittsburgh's Center on Race and Social Problems aims to help parents. Associate Professor James Huguley spoke to KDKA-TV about this innovative program. Watch/read here.

Summer Lee, other elected officials hold hearing on hospital workforce crisis

State Rep. Summer Lee (D-Allegheny County) and other state and city officials held a hearing in Pittsburgh on what they're describing as a hospital workforce crisis. Findings from the Pittsburgh Hospital Workers survey were included at multiple points, including testimony by Associate Professor Jeff Shook. Testimony also included recent MSW graduate Dana Ducombe who spoke to the struggles she and her colleagues are having on the job and the need for social workers to step up. Read more at WTAE.com.

Helping survivors of IPV

BASW student Eva Steele's initiative wants to help survivors of intimate partner violence “be the leader in their own healing.” Project Healing Sideways is at the table with Pitt’s Title IX office, bringing the perspectives of survivors to policy discussions. Read more in Public Source.

Staff Profile: Shana Stein

Shana Stein is one of those people who often flies under the radar at the School of Social Work (SSW). Over the last 5 years that she has been in the SSW, Shana’s role has grown tremendously. In her current role as Professional and Continuing Education Coordinator, she now works entirely with the Professional Education Department on CE initiatives, along with acting as project coordinator for various special grant-funded projects that department manages. Read more.

SSW embraces hybrid work model

Director of Administration Megan Soltesz spoke to the University Times about the post-COVID changes regarding remote work on campus. Read more.

Registration now open RECI fall 2022 cohort

The Racial Equity Consciousness Institute—facilitated via an immersive, learning and dialogue cohort—takes a critical systems thinking approach to thinking through race, racism, and antiracism. The Institute guides and engages participants through the racial equity consciousness framework to analyze the complexity and pervasiveness of racism, and reflect on what they can do, personally and collectively, to advance racial equity in their communities. See dates and times and register here.

Pitt Homecoming game has social work connection

In additional to being a Assistant Professor and Academic Coordinator for the CWEB program here at the School of Social Work, Brooke Rawls is also Vice-President of Cheerleading for the Gateway Midget Football and Cheerleading Association (GMFCA in Monroeville, PA). Their team was invited to attend the Pitt homecoming football game on Saturday, October 8th. They have over 40 players attending and over 100 participates total when including parents and coaches.

If you're attending the game please stop by to say hello to her and the players! 

Obituary: Wayne Edmonds

Wayne King Edmonds, 88, of Harrisburg, passed away peacefully Saturday, September 17, 2022. He graduated in '56 from University of Notre Dame, where he played football and was the first African American to receive a monogram. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in '56, but left training camp to pursue a career in social work. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with his Masters in Social Work. Read about his life and work.