School of Social Work News

Luke Shaefer, Professor of Social Work and director of Poverty Solutions, and his co-authors study on material hardships among seniors and children was cited in a recent Washington Post article. Shaefer said about their study "“one of the major takeaways is how incredibly important Social Security is in the retirement security of low- and moderate-income households.”

Garrett Pace, Joint PhD student, discusses the harmful effects of spanking with American University Radio. “Our findings suggest that spanking seems to be harmful on a global scale,” says lead author Pace.

Sol Drachler Professor of Social Work, Karla Goldman, was quoted in the article "200 years ago, John Adams promoted a Jewish state in the Holy Land" in The Times of Israel.  The article explains how the reasoning behind President Trump’s support of a Jewish homeland differs sharply from that of the second president, John Adams. 

Clinical Associate Professor Julie Ribaudo discussed infant mental health programs with Second Wave Michigan. “Babies need to be adored and to adore,” Ribaudo says. “Babies grow better when they love deeply and are loved deeply.”

Michelle Duprey is the director of Integrated Health Care at Starfish Family Services, which offers behavioral health services in Livonia, Dearborn, and Westland, and in Inkster within Western Wayne Family Health Centers. “A lot more health and hospital systems, private practices, and group practices are hearing about integrated health. They are just not quite sure where to start. This program is a great way to jump in, see what it looks like, and prepare staff to do the work,” Duprey says.

Associate Professor Kristin Seefeldt has been appointed new associate faculty director at the University of Michigan Poverty Solutions. Poverty Solutions is a presidential initiative that aims to prevent and alleviate poverty through action-based research that informs policymakers, community organizations, government entities and practitioners about what works in confronting poverty.  Seefeldt in her new role will engage more faculty and students in meaningful research opportunities.

Associate Professor Daphne Watkins' research on black men is featured in U-M Record.  Watkins researches how men and boys define themselves as men and boys, and how that influences their mental health.

Associate Professors Terri Friedline and Trina Shanks identify key problems, and how to address them, in WalletHub's latest report on underprivileged children.