November 3, 2009
UI wins $4.75 million to create National Resource Center for In-Home Services
The University of Iowa School of Social Work was selected for a $4.75 million federal cooperative agreement to establish a national center of child welfare expertise in in-home services. In-home services ensure the safety and well-being of children and youth in their homes, prevent placement or re-entry into foster care, and preserve, support and stabilize families.
The cooperative agreement between UI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, Children's Bureau, will provide $950,000 each year for five years to support the center's work as the nation's primary provider of technical assistance and training regarding effective and promising alternatives to out-of-home placement.
The new National Resource Center for In-Home Services will work with state child welfare agencies, tribes, and U.S. territories to build their capacity to provide effective in-home services. To begin this effort, the center will conduct a nationwide assessment of in-home services, examining programs that child welfare agencies currently use and evaluating the research base behind these and other models.
The principal investigator is Miriam Landsman, an associate professor of social work and executive director of the school's National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice (NRCFCP). Lisa D'Aunno, director of training at the NRCFCP, will serve as the project director. The project evaluator will be Brad Richardson, director of research and evaluation at NRCFCP. Collaborating partners are ICF International, based in the Washington, D.C. area, and the National Indian Child Welfare Association in Portland, Ore.
"With half a million children living in out-of-home placements at any point in time and 25,000 youth leaving foster care at the age of 18 each year, there is much work to be done," Landsman said. "This new center represents a renewed national commitment to assist child welfare agencies in implementing effective services that will strengthen families and prevent family disruption while keeping children safe and healthy."
The UI has a 30-year history with in-home child welfare services. Beginning in 1978 as a small training project funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NRCFCP was a pioneer in promoting home-based, family-centered services. The scope expanded to provide training, technical assistance, research and evaluation, and information across a broad range of human service areas including child welfare, juvenile justice, public health and education. The center has worked in every U.S. state, several U.S. Protectorates, and through international collaborations.
The School of Social Work is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
STORY SOURCE:
University of Iowa News Services
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Iowa City, Iowa 52242-2500
MEDIA CONTACT:
Nicole Riehl
University News Services
319-384-0070 (office)
319-430-6576
December 10-11, 2009
Statewide Conference on Disproportionate Minority Confinement/Contact
Individual Study option (1 credit)
December 10-11, 2009, Jordan Creek Marriott Hotel West, in West Des Moines.
More Info here
July 1, 2009
Aging Studies Program
The Aging Studies Program has moved from Interdisciplinary Programs to the School of Social Work. Assistant Professor Mercedes Bern-Klug has been appointed Director. For information about Aging Studies go to http://www.uiowa.edu/~socialwk/aging/
September 8, 2009
Dan the Librarian
Dan the Librarian is available to assist Social Work students on Thursdays, 3-5 pm in Room 302. Stop by with your research questions.
11.2.2009
Homeless and Hunger Awareness Month
Video Night with Economic Human Rights for Homeless and Hunger Awareness Month
Wednesday, November 18th at 8:00 pm in room 332
- A discussion will follow the video
11.2.2009
GSWA Movie of the Month
Friday November 6th City of God
(Cidade de Deus) in North Hall, Room 332 at
8:30 pm.
A Brazilian crime drama based on a true story about
two boys growing up in a violent neighborhood of Rio de
Janeiro and them taking different paths: one becomes a
photographer, the other a drug dealer.
Sept. 14, 2009
Winterim Trip to India
Professor Motier Haskins and I are are organizing two travel seminars to India for the Winter term--the 3 weeks between Christmas and the start of the spring semester. This will be a great opportunity for social work students. You will earn 3 s.h. and have the experience of a lifetime. A multitude of need-based and merit-based scholarships are available, so don't rule this out on account of the cost.
My section (Empowering Villagers in Rural India, section 001) will be going to Chitrakoot, which is in north India. I am attaching the course outline. If you are interested, send me an e-mail (amy-c-butler@uiowa.edu) or stop by during my office hours in 333 North Hall. My office hours this semester are Tuesday, 1-2:15pm and Thursday, 10:45-noon.
Professor Haskins' section (Influencing Sustainable Change, Assisting Schools and Hospitals, section 005) is headed to Pondicherry, which is in south India. You can contact Professor Haskins at motier-haskins@uiowa.edu.
You can also get information about the India Winterim from the following webpage: http://www.uiowa.edu/~geog/india/index.shtml
This is an opportunity to see the world from a different lens on many levels. We will help you understand how to reframe problems and difficulties to challenges and opportunities, a common social work undertaking. You will see the world from an Eastern mindset, from a third world perspective, from an economic perspective and a spiritual perspective. This is truly a life altering experience that has the potential to expand your worldview.
10.13.2009
Prospective MSW Student Meetings
Prospective MSW Student Meetings in Iowa City will take place on the following Wednesdays in room 301 North Hall, at 4pm: Nov 4, 18, Dec 2, 16. You may drop in to attend a meeting in Iowa City without calling ahead, or you may email: susan-dirks@uiowa.edu, or call 319-335-1255 to let us know that you will be coming or to request directions.
