Month: March 2011

In Honor of Dr. Frances Fox Piven

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Dr. Frances Fox Piven: Honoring a Classic

Regulating the Poor: the Functions of Public Welfare was first published in 1971. Forty years later it is still regarded as a classic, as is its co-author, Frances Fox Piven. Widely recognized as one of America’s most thoughtful and provocative commentators on America’s social welfare system, Dr. Piven’s work has been the driving force behind much of contemporary social welfare policy, including the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Also known as the Motor Voter Act, the legislation requires all social services agencies and Departments of Motor Vehicles to offer voter registration forms to the public.

Frances Fox Piven
Photo courtesy of Democracynow.org

The University of Connecticut School of Social Work was honored when Dr. Piven, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Political Science at the CUNY Graduate Center, accepted the invitation to be the featured speaker at the School’s 60th anniversary celebration in 2009.

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the publication of Regulating the Poor: the Functions of Public Welfare, the University of Connecticut School of Social Work joins the New York State Senate, schools of social work and social welfare organizations across the nation in honoring Dr. Piven for her distinguished contributions to social welfare policy. She is a truly a classic.

Louise Simmons Elected Chair of the Governing Board of the Urban Affairs Association

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Louise Simmons, Associate Professor and Director of the Urban Semester Program, has been elected Chairperson of the Governing Board of the Urban Affairs Association for 2011-2012. She has been serving on the Governing Board for the past 5 years.

Louise Simmons, Associate Professor and Director of the Urban Semester Program

The Urban Affairs Association (UAA) is the international professional organization for urban scholars, researchers, and public service providers.

The Urban Affairs Association is dedicated to creating interdisciplinary spaces for engaging in intellectual and practical discussions about urban life. Through theoretical, empirical, and action-oriented research, the UAA fosters diverse activities to understand and shape a more just and equitable urban world.

Social Services and Social Work Interventions in the Caribbean

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A Social Work Month Event

University of Connecticut School of Social Work Linkage Program
with the University of the West Indies Mona Campus – Jamaica
Presents: “Social Services and Social Work Interventions in the Caribbean”
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
12:45 – 2:00 p.m.
School of Social Work, Room 202
UConn Greater Hartford Campus
1798 Asylum Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117

Presenters: Dr. Peta-Anne Baker and Graduate Social Work Students from Jamaica, Belize and Antigua University of the West Indies

SSW Alumna Receives “Above and Beyond” Award

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Aurora Jakubowski, MSW ’91, licensed clinical social worker at The Hospital of Central Connecticut, recently received the Above and Beyond award from The Mill Foundation for Kids, Inc.

The award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in their daily duties to enrich the lives of sick children and who consistently exceed the expectations of their peers and patients, according to the Southington-based foundation.

Aurora Jakubowski, MSW '91 - Photo provided by The Hospital of Central Connecticut

The award was presented March 5 at the foundation’s annual Shamrockin’ for Kids dinner dance at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington. The foundation also donated $2,500 to the hospital to support pediatric services.

Aurora is a maternal/child social worker at the hospital since 1994. She works with hospitalized children and their families who are dealing with illness and in many cases other significant challenges. Her role includes providing education and moral support and helping families access resources that can help them in the hospital and community.

The Mill Foundation for Kids is dedicated to brightening the lives of ill children by purchasing toys and other gifts that are donated to The Hospital of Central Connecticut, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Building Connections in South Africa: A Trip To Cape Town, South Africa

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Building Connections in South Africa: A Trip To Cape Town, South Africa
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Room 202

Drs. Libal and Harding will discuss their efforts toward building connections in South Africa between the UConn School of Social Work, South African social work institutions, and community-based organizations in Cape Town, and strengthening opportunities for student’ field placements. Come hear about community-based efforts in South Africa to address key social problems, approaches to addressing poverty reduction, work with immigrants and refugees, and efforts to create affordable housing in South Africa.

The February 2011 Issue of Interaction Magazine is Now Available On-Line

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The February 2011 issue of Interaction Magazine is now available. Read about the newly established Black Studies Project, the Office of Research & Scholarship, faculty and staff awards, appointments and recognitions, and new faculty who have joined the School. This issue features thirteen Alumni Leaders Making a Difference, spotlight on alumni Patricia Wrice and Stanley Battle, and news from the SSW Alumni Association.

Dr. Rebecca Thomas and Dr. Lynne Healy take students to Washington, D.C.

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As part of the International Development Theory and Practice course, 13 MSW students traveled to Washington, D.C. for two days of visits and briefings at the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), local NGOs and other related DC sites.

The International Development course is an elective for the International Issues in Social Work and Social Work with Women and Children in Families Focused Areas of Study.

Dr. Rebecca Thomas and MSW Students - Photo provided by Lynne M. Healy, PhD

Students are introduced to international development with an emphasis on theories and practice strategies to attack poverty and improve human well-being globally and locally. Topics addressed include the scope of international relief and development, building local capacity, sustainability, cultural relevance and gender sensitive programming, facilitating and impeding factors, the role of international organizations and NGOs, ethics, and funding streams. Emphasis is put on local and national development projects and their global implications. Although international content is emphasized, the practice strategies covered are applicable to domestic social work practice.

Dr. Lirio Negroni receives 2011 Women of Color Recognition Award

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Dr. Lirio Negroni received the 2011 Women of Color Recognition Award from UConn Women’s Center for outstanding contributions to the University of Connecticut and for Excellence in Leadership, Achievement and Service. Dr. Negroni has been a leading force in advancing social work practice, education, and research focusing on issues related to improving the lives of Latino/a families and communities and other culturally diverse populations. She is a current member of the Advisory Board for the UConn Institute for Puerto Rican and Latino Studies, and she also served several years as Chair of the School of Social Work’s Puerto Rican and Latino Studies Project (PRLSP).

Dr. Lirio Negroni and Dean Salome Raheim
Associate Dean Catherine Havens, Dr. Lirio Negroni and Dr. Julio Morales, Emeritus Faculty

Lirio has been extensively involved in the development of curriculum focused on social work practice with women, children and families from under-served, oppressed, and diverse populations.  She has played a role in developing the SSW’s Exchange Program with the University of Puerto Rico and the Travel Study course to Puerto Rico, which she coordinates and teaches. Lirio also founded the Latino Mental Health Network in Hartford and the Connecticut Citizens Coalition. As the faculty advisor to the Latin American Student Organization, Lirio provides leadership and serves as a role model to the students.