November 3, 2009
UI School of Social Work 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.
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/
11.20.2009
Wild Bill's Coffeeshop Tile Project
Wild Bill’s Coffeeshop will finally re-open on January 19th, 2010! All Social Work students are invited to paint and decorate a 4” x 4” tile that will become part of the new kitchen wall. We have reserved the Fired Up! studio downtown, (112 Linn St.) on Sat. Dec. 5 from 11 am-12 pm for a tile painting party. For $8 you will receive everything you need to create your tile and make your mark on the history of the coffee shop. Just show up, no experience is needed. Take a break from studying and use the other half of your brain to contribute to a one-of-a-kind group project!
11.2.2009
Homeless and Hunger Awareness Month
Wed, Nov. 18th at 8:00 pm in room 332
20/20 documentary on poverty in the United States entitled, Waiting on the World to Change. Snacks and drinks will be provided.- A discussion will follow the video
Thurs. Nov.19- 10 p.m. Picador benefit night, Bring in a canned food item, or pay a $2 cover. All proceeds will benefit the Johnson County Crisis Center.
A food and clothing drive will run Nov. 16-20. Look for boxes at the following locations: UI Multi-Cultural Centers, UI Sorority Houses, and North Hall.
11.9.2009
Martin Luther King/ Human Rights Week GSWSA Event
The MLK event that GSWSA will sponsor will focus on refuges and immigration. We will learn about the history and policy in the United States and Iowa. Refugees in the area will tell their stories and hopefully inspire ideas as to what we can do as a community to be more welcoming to these groups. The event will be held on Wednesday, January 20th at 7pm at the Iowa City Public Library. It is sure to be eye opening so don't miss this chance!
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.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.
