Milagros Marrero-Johnson, MSW, Director of Student Services at the UConn SSW has been appointed as the new chairperson for the Latino/a Social Workers Network of the NASW CT Chapter effective November 1, 2013. As a committee chair, she will work to ensure the Network continues to effectively support Latino/a social workers and advocate for their needs, as well as those of the Latino/a community at large.Milagros is excited about this new opportunity to provide leadership and support to NASW.

“I am pleased to be in a leadership position where I can continue my work as an agent of change for the Latino/a community.  My predecessors have worked diligently to maintain the visibility of the Latino/a population and I plan to continue these efforts.” Milagros was the former co-chair of the chapter’s original Community Organizers Network.

Panera Bread announces a new partnership with Rebecca Lobo that will support the Connecticut Sports Foundation and a new RuthAnn Lobo Award in Social Work at UConn, two areas that complement the life and work of Rebecca’s late mother, RuthAnn Lobo. The partnership kicks off in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Panera Bread’s Pink Ribbon Bagel campaign, now marking its 12th year. Panera Bread bakery-cafes in Connecticut* will donate 25 cents from each Pink Ribbon Bagel purchased during the month of October to the Connecticut Sports Foundation, which provides funds to families battling cancer to help pay their household bills, including rent, mortgage and car payments.

Rebecca Lobo is a television basketball analyst and former women’s basketball player in the Women’s National Basketball Association from 1997 to 2003, and UConn’s 1995 national championship team. She is the daughter of RuthAnn Lobo, a long-time breast cancer survivor who lost her battle after 18 years.”

A Simsbury resident and a retired school counselor at Granby Memorial Middle School, RuthAnn Lobo emerged as a tireless advocate and inspiration for women whose lives had been interrupted by breast cancer. She was the Title IX compliance coordinator for the Granby school district and served on the State Advisory Board for Equity. In 1990, RuthAnn Lobo was named teacher of the year in Granby and was a finalist for Connecticut teacher of the Year. In 1996, RuthAnn and Rebecca Lobo wrote the book, “The Home Team,” in which they chronicled how they dealt with RuthAnn’s cancer diagnosis. RuthAnn Lobo eventually underwent a mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy.

Rebecca Lobo commented, “My mother’s nurses were so important to her. They were the ones who held her hand and were by her side for so many years.” In 2001, Rebecca launched the RuthAnn and Rebecca Lobo Scholarship for Hispanic students admitted to the UConn School of Allied Health. Amy Chesmer, Senior Director of Development for the UConn Foundation, was instrumental in the creation of that fund and to the founding of the new RuthAnn Lobo Award in Social Work.

“This new fund will support educating the next generation of hospital-based social workers working with cancer patients,” said Chesmer.

Meet Heidi McIntosh MSW ’98 and Other UConn Alums Making Their Mark in the Nation’s Capital Heidi McIntosh, MSW ’98

Dear SSW Community,

I am delighted to share that the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has voted to reaffirm the accreditation of the UConn School of Social Work. The CSWE Commission on Accreditation (COA) letter states:

At its October 2013 meeting, the Commission on Accreditation (COA) reviewed the Self Study, the COA Letter of Instructions, the Site Visit Report, and the program’s response to the Report as the Reaffirmation application for the Master of Social Work program. The COA voted to reaffirm the accreditation of the program for eight years, ending in October 2021.

This outcome of our reaffirmation process is due to the hard work of many members of the SSW Community. Please accept my heartfelt appreciation for the role you played in this multi-year process. Special thanks and acknowledgement are due Professors Havens, Kurz, Davidson and Wayne for their leadership, tremendous efforts, and dedication, which has led to our successful reaffirmation of accreditation. Kudos to all!

Salome Raheim, PhD, ACSW
Dean and Professor

On September 22, 2013, twelve UConn 1970 and 1971 School of Social Work graduates gathered at the home of Lew and Jean Triestman in West Greenwich, Rhode Island for a Social Work Tea to reconnect and celebrate their friendship and share UConn memories. This was the 10th year of their informal reunions. Lew is the mastermind of the party and he cajoles and coaxes his former classmates to attend with some coming from as far away as Maryland and Washington, D.C. Jean organizes the logistics of the menu and welcomes all to their home. Spouses attend as well. Interestingly, three of the married couples attending were both UConn SSW graduates.

This year was extra special because Dean Salome Raheim attended the gathering. She updated the alumni about current happenings including the big news of the SSW’s move from West Hartford to Hartford. She listened to the individual stories of how UConn connected the group and helped them professionally and personally over the 42-43 years since graduation. Dean Raheim validated the importance of the school and how important it was to her. All the attendees send best wishes to other classes and encourage reconnecting with their UConn SSW classmates.

Mavis MSW ‘71 & Bob MSW ‘71 Connolly
Lew Triestman MSW ‘70