This year’s APM is focused on "Leading Critical Conversations: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion" and will feature hundreds of social work education presentations, daily keynote sessions, a virtual exhibit hall, and networking opportunities.

Check out our list of presenters from the School of Social Work.

The latest episode of The Center for Social and Behavioral Science's podcast features professor Chris Larrison, who talks about the role of smartphones in supporting mental health services and community spaces. This discussion covers what can be expected with big data, privacy, and mental wellness apps in the time of COVID-19.

Professor Kevin Tan and MSW student, Grace McClowry, have produced a Q&A Resource Guide on SEL+Equity for School Social Work, an essential resource for all who work in schools and with young people. This Q&A resource guide is based on question received from school social workers around the

country and are categorized into four sections: (1) SEL-focused, (2) equity-focused, (3) school social work profession-specific, and (4) general practice related questions.

Professor Rosalba Hernandez is the co-investigator on a newly funded project by the Discovery Partners Institute for the development of the Kidney Wellness Institute of Illinois.

KIWII will bring together local and international leaders in research, medicine, industry, and patient-advocacy to address chronic kidney disease, which affects approximately 15 percent of the U.S. population and costs more than $120 billion a year to treat.

College of Applied Health Science professor Ken Wilund has received the grant for $125,000 and is the principal investigator. Co-PIs include the president of the National Kidney Foundation as well as researchers from the Gies College of Business, School of Social Work, and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Administrative staff member, Devon Turner was recently chosen as Citizen of the Year by the Illinois Association of School Social Workers (IASSW).

Turner founded the Boyz2Men Mentoring Program two years ago. The purpose of the program is to partner with local schools to improve academic achievement, self-esteem, social awareness and social competence of young African American males. In the near future, Turner is hoping to develop a similar group for women.

MSW student, Leyda Garcia-Greenawalt, is the recipient of a Graduate Student Leadership Award from the Graduate College. The Graduate Student Leadership Award celebrates graduate students who have engaged in outstanding service that has positively impacted the campus or wider community. Through her leadership endeavors and scholarly expertise in the area of foster care, Garcia-Greenwalt has advocated for impactful legislation at the federal and state level as Policy Chair for the Illinois Chapter of the Foster Care Alumni of America.