Connecticut Network (CT-N) filmed the Annual Convocation on Cultural Competence entitled “Race and Racism: Training Social Work Leaders to Meet Today’s Challenges”. The keynote speaker was Dr. Larry Davis, Dean, Donald M. Henderson Professor and Director of the Center on Race and Social Problems at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. Over 200 incoming MSW students, faculty, and staff attended the thought-provoking and timely presentation.
Month: August 2016
New SFF Grants Advance School’s Academic Plan
This past July, the Vice President for Research awarded three new Scholarship Facilitation Fund grants of approximately $2K per award to School of Social Work faculty. Two of the awardees (Drs. Kennedy and Wilson) will use the funds to conduct research specifically related to trauma and victimization. The third awardee (Dr. Werkmeister Rozas) will use funds to build a research agenda focused on understanding and alleviating health disparities. All three awards are noteworthy for their direct links to research in “areas of distinction” that are central to the school’s academic plan.
Stephanie Kennedy, PhDDr. Stefanie Kennedy, who is just joining the school this fall as an Assistant Professor, was awarded a grant to expand her ground-breaking research on women in prison, developed from her doctoral dissertation at the University of Florida. Kennedy will focus on trying to understand how exposure to multiple forms of violence in childhood – what some experts call “polyvictimization” – affects the lives of incarcerated women. She is focused on how this experience affects criminal behavior, mental health, and substance abuse outcomes among these women. This small grant will allow Kennedy to expand her data collection efforts to two additional prisons – including one in the Northeast.
Cristina Wilson, PhDDr. Cristina Wilson, Associate Professor of Social Work, will focus on understanding how pre-school teachers can ameliorate the harmful effects of trauma exposure in young African American and Hispanic children. The project, which will be co-led by SSW doctoral student Alysse Melville, is particularly noteworthy in that it will use an innovative measurement strategy, the “Head-Toes- Knees-Shoulders” task to understand traumatized preschoolers’ ability to control their behaviors and feelings.
Dr. Werkmeister Rozas has developed an innovative strategy – combining both family and community-based interventions- to prevent diabetes risk and promote diabetes self-management among Latinos in Hartford. Drawing on initial funding provided by UConn’s InCHIP, Werkmeister Rozas has piloted this intervention in Hartford area churches serving Latinos. Very preliminary trials of this intervention show promising results with respect to blood sugar and weight among participants. This award will make possible the creation of a manual for the intervention. A manual will enhance the consistency with which the intervention can be delivered. This will increase Werkmeister Rozas’ potential for leading a full-scale, NIH-funded clinical trial to understand the efficacy of this critically needed intervention.
Scholarship Facilitation Grants Awarded to 3 SSW Faculty
This past July, the Vice President for Research awarded three new Scholarship Facilitation Fund grants of approximately $2K per award to School of Social Work faculty. Two of the awardees (Drs. Kennedy and Wilson) will use the funds to conduct research specifically related to trauma and victimization. The third awardee (Dr. Werkmeister Rozas) will use funds to build a research agenda focused on understanding and alleviating health disparities. All three awards are noteworthy for their direct links to research in “areas of distinction” that are central to the school’s academic plan.
Stephanie Kennedy, PhDDr. Stephanie Kennedy, who is just joining the school this fall as an Assistant Professor, was awarded a grant to expand her ground breaking research on women in prison, developed from her doctoral dissertation at Florida State University. Kennedy will focus on trying to understand how exposure to multiple forms of violence in childhood – what some experts call “polyvictimization” – affects the lives of incarcerated women. She is focused on how this experience affects criminal behavior, mental health, and substance abuse outcomes among these women. This small grant will allow Kennedy to expand her data collection efforts to two additional prisons – including one in the Northeast.
Cristina Wilson, PhDDr. Cristina Wilson, Associate Professor of Social Work, will focus on understanding how pre-school teachers can ameliorate the harmful effects of trauma exposure in young African American and Hispanic children. The project, which will be co-led by SSW doctoral student Alysse Melville, is particularly noteworthy in that it will use an innovative measurement strategy, the “Head-Toes- Knees-Shoulders” task to understand traumatized preschoolers’ ability to control their behaviors and feelings.
Dr. Werkmeister Rozas has developed an innovative strategy – combining both family and community based interventions- to prevent diabetes risk and promote diabetes self-management among Latinos in Hartford. Drawing on initial funding provided by UConn’s InCHIP, Werkmeister Rozas has piloted this intervention in Hartford area churches serving Latinos. Very preliminary trials of this intervention show promising results with respect to blood sugar and weight among participants. This award will make possible the creation of a manual for the intervention. A manual will enhance the consistency with which the intervention can be delivered. This will increase Werkmeister Rozas’ potential for leading a full-scale, NIH-funded clinical trial to understand the efficacy of this critically needed intervention.
Grant to Improve Pain Self-Management
Associate Dean for Research
Professor
Dr. Michael Fendrich, Associate Dean for Research, is a co-investigator on a recently awarded, 5-year, NIH/National Institute of Nursing Research grant for over $1 Million. The grant, awarded to Dr. Angela Starkweather of the UConn School of Nursing, focuses on building teams of researchers who can investigate strategies for enhancing the self-management of pain. Sharing leadership of the center’s administrative core with Starkweather, Fendrich will help to develop resources for the center that will strengthen research capacity and enhance the quality of the pilot studies. This grant will enhance collaboration on health related research between the School of Social Work and the College of Nursing.
According to Fendrich “We already have ongoing collaborations between our faculty and other School of Nursing health intervention projects. For example, Dr. Catherine Medina plays a major role in the federally funded ‘Got Care’ grant which is based in the School of Nursing. This new center grant will help to build new opportunities for bridging social work and state-of-the art health research. Over the next five years, I look forward to working closely with Dr. Starkweather and with College of Nursing Associate Dean for Research, Dr. Jackie McGrath to find new opportunities for connecting SSW students and faculty to grant-related research studies.”
Dr. Ann Marie Garran New MSW Program Director
MSW Program Director
Dr. Garran joined the UConn SSW faculty in 2010 following many years as a social work clinician and adjunct teacher at numerous schools of social work. Her work on diversity, racism, anti-oppressive practice and inclusive pedagogy are critical areas of inquiry for the school, the university and for the profession. Dr. Garran has gained national prominence and an increasing international presence through her publications, her conference presentations and her consulting activities. Her teaching activity has been outstanding across the casework curriculum, in micro theories and human oppression. She is a frequent presenter at SSW continuing education programs and often serves as consultant on issues of diversity, racism and pedagogy at other universities.
Through her scholarship, Dr. Garran examines issues of importance to social work, which are interconnected: anti-oppression and anti-racism in teaching and social work practice. Her scholarship is focused on areas identified for interdisciplinary research in the School and University. The second edition of her book Racism in America has recently been submitted.
Dr. Garran has also made important service contributions within the School and the profession and has served as a consultant to the school’s Just Community initiative, which has involved a school-wide diversity related capacity building effort. In this role, she led student focus groups to assess school climate and led recent school-wide discussions in the aftermath of the Ferguson, MO issues. Dr. Garran serves on two social work journal editorial boards and is a reviewer for two additional journals.
Upon making this appointment, Dean Heller stated “Dr. Garran brings enthusiasm, expertise and experience to this position. She will continue to make valuable contributions to the School.”
Dr. Scott Harding Appointed Doctoral Program Co-Director
Co-Director, Doctoral Program
Dean Nina Rovinelli Heller recently announced the appointment of Dr. Scott Harding as Co-Director of the Doctoral Program beginning August 23, 2016.
Having served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs since 2013, Dr. Harding brings significant administrative skills to this new position. As importantly, he has already served in numerous roles in the doctoral program – as teacher, first year advisor, doctoral committee member, ex-officio member and dissertation major advisor and associate advisor.
Dr. Harding joined the UConn SSW in 2004 where he taught in the Community Organizing Concentration and across the curriculum.
In addition, Dr. Harding, a first rate scholar, published two books and numerous other publications while serving as Associate Dean. “I know that he will bring his considerable skills and commitment to the mentoring and development of social work scholars and educators to the doctoral program. I look forward to working with him in this new capacity”, said Dean Heller.
Dr. Edna Comer Appointed SSW Associate Dean
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Dr. Edna Comer will take the reins as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the School of Social Work on August 23, 2016. She joined the School of Social Work faculty in 1998 and teaches in the Groupwork curriculum area, frequently serving as Chair. She has also served as Chair of the Educational Policy Committee, Black Experience Faculty Search Committee, and the Educational Review Committee. Dr. Comer holds a joint appointment with the UConn Medical School where she works weekly with psychiatric residents and is the Faculty Consultant from Social Work for the Urban Services Track. In addition, she developed a 3 year plan for African American doctoral candidates in the Hartford area aimed at providing culturally responsive support and skill development for students in predominantly white universities.
“Dr. Comer brings years of practice and academic experience, a comprehensive understanding of the aspirational needs, promise and challenges of the SSW and its faculty. She is highly regarded by both faculty and staff and is well poised to directly influence the direction of the School of Social Work and its programs”, said Dean Nina Rovinelli Heller.
In the community, Dr. Comer has served on the Advisory Board of Directors for the Black Family Enrichment Program of Catholic Charities; on the Board of Directors for Wheeler Clinic; on the Board of the Family Advocacy Organization for Children’s Behavioral Health; and on the Internal Review Board for the Village for Families and Children.
Her scholarship is in the areas of social group work, health care, (particularly multiple sclerosis and sickle cell anemia), evidenced based practice and issues facing underrepresented populations, including students and scholars. She has also served as major and associate advisor for our doctoral students.