UConn School of Social Work assistant professor, Kelsi Carolan, PhD, appeared on WNPR yesterday to explain the challenges facing people living with invisible illnesses.

“It`s very difficult when someone is living with that much uncertainty in their body and then they’re made to feel it’s not real,” she said, noting research shows people of color are more likely to have their symptoms dismissed.

Carolan, a licensed clinical social worker, was interviewed by Catherine Chen on Where We Live. Listen to the full segment here: `But you don’t look sick:` The struggles of living with an invisible illness.

Connecticut Public is Connecticut’s only state-wide, community-supported public media service reaching 1 million people each month through television, radio, and digital platforms.

https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/2024-09-23/but-you-dont-look-sick-the-struggles-of-living-with-an-invisible-illness

@kjmac30 @ctpublic ...

Aswad Thomas `15 (MSW) organized a march in Washington D.C. on Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. to stand in solidarity with crime survivors. Watch Live: https://asj.allianceforsafetyandjustice.org/survivors-speak-dc/. ...

Join us Oct. 2 from 3-4 p.m. for the School of Social Work`s First Wednesday Community Event! Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/EfzWUpshiB ...

Dear UConn SSW Community,

National Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, offers us the opportunity to honor prolific and diverse cultures of Latine communities. At the UConn School of Social Work, we believe in spotlighting this important occasion and the benefits these communities bring to our School, nation, and world. We know our school is stronger for the inclusion of Latine peoples, cultures, and traditions. Recognizing the history, innovation, and achievements of Latine communities aligns with our social work values and the School’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. This commitment, affirmed in our strategic plan, calls on us to engage in meaningful dialogue and hold ourselves accountable to action toward social justice.

To meet the needs of Latine individuals, families, and communities, we have developed specialized programs that prepare social workers to work with the growing Spanish-speaking population in Connecticut. In 2022, with the support of a state grant, we launched Connecticut ¡Adelante!, a scholarship program for Master of Social Work students. This groundbreaking program prepares bilingual students for careers addressing both children’s mental health and Spanish-speaking communities in our state, the fastest growing population. For our bachelor`s students, we also offer the Child Welfare and Protection Track, which trains Spanish-speaking students to work with Latine families served by the state Department of Children and Families.

To celebrate this year’s National Latine Heritage Month, our school is working with the founder of J. Rene’s Coffee Roasters and Victus Coffee, José René Martínez, to host a special event: “Latino Identity, Coffee, and Conversation” on Sept. 25 from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in the School of Social Work Student Lounge. José’s coffee shop won the 2019 Small Business Association Connecticut Minority-Owned Business of the Year award. Hear his story about coffee’s unique ability to serve as a social bridge.

Please join us as we celebrate the richness of Latine heritage.

In Community,

Laura Curran
Dean and Professor
UConn School of Social Work ...

Do you work in a school or want to work in a school environment? Learn how to screen for trauma and treat it during this School of Social Work webinar on Oct. 18. Register here https://forms.office.com/r/eskBGtUszr ...

Check out this UConn Today story on the School of Social Work`s Nate Okpych, who recently earned a Spencer Award. Congratulations!

https://today.uconn.edu/2024/09/spencer-award-to-fund-professors-continued-study-of-foster-care-youth-in-higher-education/ ...