School of Social Work News

Associate Professor Terri Friedline and Professor William Elliott spoke with the Guardian about the benefits of children’s savings accounts, which extend beyond saving money for college.  Research shows that these accounts positively affect the social emotional development of kids and encourages families to build other assets. “It’s not because they’re getting money in their hands, it’s more about understanding their kids have a better future,” said Elliott. “What assets give you is tangible hope.”

The Office of Continuing Education announces two new web-based certificate programs: the Online Certificate in Disability Inclusion and Accessible Design, and the Online Certificate in Dismantling Oppression. These courses provide knowledge and skills that are relevant to social workers as well as a broad range of other professionals.  Both courses support and contribute to the university’s DEI goals. 

The Online Certificate in Disability Inclusion and Accessible Design takes an intersectional approach to diversity inclusion and provides the comprehensive skills and knowledge which can be applied in all systems and settings.  The program faculty includes scholars, activists and others working on the frontlines of disability inclusion and accessibility. Participants will learn about pertinent policy issues affecting people with disabilities, anti-ableist language and practices, accessible interpersonal clinical practice skills, disability-inclusive community organizing skills, how to create inclusive management structures and organizational policies, among other topics. Participants will also receive training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines.

"The Disability Inclusion and Accessible Design Certificate program was created because we believe that an anti-ableist education, centering on disability justice, is critical to gaining comprehensive professional skills that can and should be applied when working with all systems and in all settings,” says course instructors Ayesha Ghazi Edwin and Dessa Cosma.

The Online Certificate in Dismantling Oppression prepares participants to interrupt patterns that perpetuate systemic oppression and become leaders for change within their teams and organizations.  Participants will explore and apply course concepts to intervene at micro, mezzo and macro level of practice.

“In 2020, individuals and institutions were publicly reminded of the need to advance equity in order to protect the safety and lives of individuals with historically marginalized social identities,” says Clinical Associate Professor Daicia Price. “We have learned that it is not enough to stop engaging in oppression, but we must actively dismantle oppression at individual, interpersonal and institutional levels. We hope the certificate program increases the number of change agents equipped to deliver content to others."

Dear Michigan Social Work Community,

March is social work month and this year’s theme is The Time is Right for Social Work.

The time has always been right for social work. For decades, social workers have been providing essential services, support for individuals, families and communities, and advocating for policies that create a better society. But today — as we face the ramifications of the pandemic, systemic racism, economic inequality and uncertainty, and climate crisis — the time is especially right for social work.

Social workers have been at the forefront of these challenges, and our Michigan Social Work community has led the field in developing new innovations in practice, research and education.

Social workers are empathetic problem solvers who make a difference in the world, every day. Social work month gives us the chance to recognize our hard work, dedication and achievements, while inspiring us to take on the toughest challenges in creating a society where everyone can live life to their fullest potential.

Sincerely,

Joseph Himle
Interim Dean and Howard V. Brabson Professor of Social Work

Charles Williams' editorial, “The Real Lesson That We Learned from the Juwan Howard Incident: A Black Man Still Has No Rights That Require Respect” is included in the latest issue of Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. “Watching Coach Howard try to negotiate anger the best way he could when walking down the handshake line, makes me flashback to every single moment in my life when I got to my car, or made it to my office or left the conflict and literally thanked God that I got away without having an emotional to physical blackout,” wrote Williams.

On February 17, 2022, the U-M Regents appointed Kathryn Elizabeth (Beth) Angell as the School of Social Work's next dean. She will begin her appointment on July 1.

Angell is an experienced administrator and is currently the dean of the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Social Work. She previously served in a number of leadership roles at Rutgers University. During her tenure, VCU has seen record student enrollment, launched a fully online MSW program, and navigated the many challenges in teaching and serving students during the pandemic. She has also supported numerous efforts across the school related to social and racial justice. As a researcher, she focuses on service delivery for adults with serious mental illness, and the intersection of mental illness with legal and justice system involvement.

MSW/MPH student Brandon Bond is one of just two students named to the U-M Presidential search committee. Throughout his time at U-M, Bond has served in various leadership roles to advocate for student interests including the VP of Student Life Advisory Board, Dean of Students Advisory Board, Office of Enrollment Management Advisory Board, Advancing Public Safety at U-M Task Force, and President of the Public Health Student Assembly. He is dedicated to ensuring that the diversity of student needs is reflected in the selection of the next U-M President.

"Considering that this is such a huge undertaking, which will impact the future of the University of Michigan and our overall community, my hope is that our community will become and remain active in the search process!  A few of ways our community can contribute and advocate are to 1) nominate a potential Presidential candidate through the executive search firm portal, 2) attend a virtual listening session to provide input on their expectations for the new president and perspectives about the ideal candidate profile, and 3) stay informed on the process by staying up to date via the Regents website."

Bond received his undergraduate degree from U-M with a double major in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) and International Studies, and a minor in CASC — the School’s Community Action and Social Change undergraduate minor. In a 2020 interview in Ongoing, Bond said

PhD student Charles Williams II was featured on the CBS Evening News in a story on voting rights. “They aren’t securing the vote, they are suppressing the vote,” said Williams in regards to a petition backed by republicans to tighten voter ID requirements in the state of Michigan. Williams is leading local efforts to protect voting rights. “The fight must continue, and I think many people on the ground understand and are very clear that they will not stop until justice comes.”

Assistant Professor Shanna Kattari and Lecturer Leonardo Kattari have won the 2022 SSWR Book Award Honorable Mention for the book they co-edited, “Social Work and Health Care Practice with Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals and Communities: Voices for Equity, Inclusion, and Resilience.” The book includes chapters co-authored by Assistant Professor Ashley Lacombe-Duncan, PhD student Mattthew Bakko, alex kime, MSW ‘18, and Jennifer Schwartz, MSW ‘13. The award was presented on Saturday, January 15, as part of the Society of Social Work and Research Annual Conference.