Social Work News
SWK alumna, Kathleen Glow-Morgan, to serve as VA acting national director of social work
Kathleen Glow-Morgan, LCSW-R, social work executive at Syracuse Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC), will be the VACO acting national director of social work from May 12-24. She has a master of social work from Syracuse University’s School of Social Work and a BS in human development, also from SU. “She has been assigned to this extremely high-level position, which reflects the regard in which she is held here as well as in Washington. We are very proud of her and know she will do a great job,” notes Robert W. McLean, Lt. Col. USMC (Ret.), public affairs officer, Syracuse VAMC.
Glow-Morgan, in a previously published article in Syracuse Magazine, spoke about the important role social workers play in helping soldiers, veterans and their families. “Social workers are uniquely poised to not only address the needs of the soldier or veteran, but also to look at the larger system and the negative impact that soldiers coming back and leaving again is having on them and their families.” “There is now recognition that social workers have the skill and training that uniquely prepares them to intervene on behalf of veterans.”
The Syracuse VA Medical Center and its affiliates serve as hands-on training sites for students in the MSW program in the School of Social Work. In her role with the Syracuse VAMC, Glow-Morgan provides administrative and clinical oversight for the social work staff and field placement program.
Social work students inducted into Phi Alpha Honor Society
On April 10, the School of Social Work held its Phi Alpha Honor Society, Zeta Gamma Chapter, induction ceremony at Hendricks’s Chapel. Twelve undergraduate and 20 graduate social work students joined Phi Alpha this academic year. Associate professor, Keith Alford, was the keynote speaker. Leondra Polk, Phi Alpha president, led the ceremonies, with assistance from Deborah Monahan, professor of social work and associate dean of research. Awards were presented by Bette Brown Thoreck, director, Baccalaureate social work program. The concept of a National Social Work Honor Society came from a group of undergraduates at Michigan State University. In November, 1960, a National honor Society Committee was formed and in 1961 the society came into being. The Syracuse University Zeta Gamma Chapter was founded in 1996 as part of the School of Social work’s 40th Year Anniversary Celebration. This year’s inductees comprised the eighteenth group of students to be elected as members of Zeta Gamma Chapter.
The charge and purposes of the Phi Alpha Honor Society are:
- To recognize and encourage scholastic achievement among the students who are majoring in social work.
- To improve and further the goals and objectives of social work by encouraging objectivity and awareness of current developments and practices in the various fields of social work.
- To improve and further the goals and objectives of social work by stimulating research in preparation for a career in social work.
March is National Social Work Month
SU School of Social Work’s activities include 2013 Social Justice Award Ceremony March 26 honoring Professor Alejandro Garcia
As the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) begins its annual commemoration of National Professional Social Work Month on March 1, the School of Social Work in the Falk College has planned a series of activities as part of its month-long national celebration.
The Syracuse University Bookstore will feature faculty titles from the School of Social Work in its Schine Student Center window display March 6-12 spanning critical topics including aging, school violence and bullying, mental health care in the African-American community, persons with disabilities and the child welfare system, among many others. The books will additionally be available for purchase in the SU Bookstore.
The 2013 Daniel and Mary Lou Rubenstein Social Justice Award ceremony will take place March 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the Schine Student Center, Room 304ABC. Professor of Social Work, Alejandro Garcia, Ph.D., will be the recipient of the 2013 Social Justice Award that recognizes a person who reflects the values of social justice in his or her professional and personal life. All are welcome to attend this event sponsored by Social Workers United, the School of Social Work, CNY-NASW and the Falk College.
Additionally during National Social Work Month this March at Syracuse University:
- Members of the NASW New York State Central Division will sponsor lunch for social work students, which includes a meal of soup and bread to remind students of the profession’s history in advocating for the poor.
- Workshops will be held for field instructors and students to address key topics of interest, such as preparing students to work in the profession, and regulations and licensing governing social work practice in New York State.
- During the New York City Social Welfare History Tour March 27-29, sponsored by the Alan B. and Barbara Mirken Foundation, students will study the development of U.S. social welfare touring sites important to social work history and contemporary practice, including: Goddard Riverside Community Center, Lower East Side Tenement Museum, Jewish Childcare Association, Mount Sinai Hospital and The Center (LGBT).
- Details for a blood drive organized by Social Workers United will be announced soon. This organization held a very successful blood drive in November 2013 to respond to the needs in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
The NASW designated March as National Social Work Month in the 1960s to provide recognition and voice for social workers who represent one of the largest professions in the country. The Syracuse University School of Social Work, which has educated generations of social workers for more than 50 years, offers a bachelor of science in social work and a master of social work. It has been recognized nationally for community organization and activism, clinical training in family systems, gerontology, and concentrations in health and occupational social work.
Professor of Social Work Alejandro Garcia to Receive 2013 Daniel and Mary Lou Rubenstein Social Justice Award
In honor of his significant contributions to the field of social work through teaching, research, policy advocacy, and service, Professor Alejandro Garcia, Ph.D., received the 2013 Daniel and Mary Lou Rubenstein Social Justice Award March 26, 7 p.m., in the Schine Student Center, 304ABC. Sponsored by Social Workers United, the School of Social Work, CNY NASW and the Falk College, the program was free and open to the public. This annual event was one of several activities celebrating National Professional Social Work Month commemorated each March.
According to students in Social Workers United, “Dr. Garcia was chosen as this year’s recipient of the Social Justice Award because of his significant influence on social justice not only within the university community but throughout the nation. In working with him, his genuine interest and respect for others is apparent. This year, Social Workers United not only wishes to acknowledge Dr. Garcia’s work in social justice but also to honor his 35th anniversary with Syracuse University.”
Throughout his distinguished 35-year career at Syracuse University, Dr. Garcia has touched the lives of tens of thousands of students through his courses on gerontology, human diversity and social policy as well as in his role as director of the School of Social Work. A valued contributor who has served on the editorial boards of The Encyclopedia of Social Work and numerous national journals, he is the co-editor of three books and author of numerous articles and book chapters. A Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and an elected member of the National Academy of Social Insurance, he was elected vice president/secretary of the Council on Social Work Education in 2012. He has held national leadership positions with the National Association of Social Workers, the National Board and Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education, the National Policy Council of AARP, and the National Hispanic Council on Aging. On a national level, he is known as a strong advocate for Hispanic populations, especially the elderly.
Dr. Garcia has been the recipient of honors including Lifetime Achievement Awards from the New York State Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and from the New York State Social Work Education Association. He was named a Social Work Pioneer by the National Association of Social Workers, and honored by the National Hispanic Council on Aging with its Special Recognition Award for outstanding leadership and advocacy on behalf of older adults. He is a recipient of the Andrus Award, the highest recognition that AARP New York awards for community service and received the Distinguished Service Award by California State University at Sacramento. He has also received several outstanding teaching awards at Syracuse University, including the Scholar/Teacher of the Year. He has also been honored by the SU LGBT Resource Center with the Foundation Award for Outstanding Faculty Member.
Through his visionary commitment to students, he created the Alejandro Garcia Latino/Hispanic Excellence in Social Work Fund through a generous donation. This scholarship fund provides financial assistance to graduate students enrolled in the School of Social Work who reflect academic excellence, professional potential and an interest in serving the Latino/Hispanic community. He additionally created a book fund to help graduate students who need financial assistance to purchase their required textbooks.
For over 30 years, the Rubenstein Social Justice Award recognizes a person who reflects the values of social justice in his or her professional and personal life. The award is given in honor of the late professor Daniel Rubenstein, a former faculty member in the School of Social Work and his late wife, Mary Lou, a former school social worker. For more information, and to RSVP, contact the School of Social Work at (315) 443-5550.
Advocating for Social Security
Professor of social work, Eric Kingson, co-authored a Huffington Post piece about the importance of Social Security and the significance of that message in President Obama’s inauguration speech. He is the founding co-director of Social Security Works, an organization that launched and staffs the Strengthen Social Security Campaign.
Kingson’s scholarship examines the politics and economics of population aging, Social Security policy, Baby Boomers and cross-generational obligations. His research also examines the distributional effects of changes in retirement age. A founding board member of the National Academy of Social Insurance, he is past-chair of the Social Research, Policy and Practice section of the Gerontological Society of America and a member of the board of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.
In February 2013, Eric Kingson also presented “The Changed Politics of Social Security: Who’s At Risk and What Needs to Be Done” at the Florida State University Claude Pepper Center.
Falk Students Give Back to Communities Near, Far
Falk College students consistently exemplify the highest ideal of sustained, quality engagement with citizens not only in the local community but afar as well when they see opportunities to make a difference. Over the past semester, here are a few of the activities they were involved in:
Donation drive for Hurricane Sandy
With the recent storms in the New York City and New Jersey areas, students in the School of Social Work, led by members of its student organization, Social Workers United, collected items to support those affected by the storms. Response by the SU campus community was overwhelming and very generous.
Bottle and can drive to help Family Support Services
Students from HTW 221– Health Promotion Across the Life Span and HTW 304– HTW 304 Community Health Education classes launched a bottle and can drive to benefit Family Support Services.
HPM students’ raise monies for CNY Ronald McDonald House
As part of the senior class gala held last spring, HPM seniors, along with faculty, staff and other students in the program working closely with them, raised $4,293.58 to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY. Last year, nearly 400 families found respite at the CNY Ronald McDonald House for a combined total of 3,400 guest night stays, all because of the love and generous donations of donors and volunteers.
SPM Club supports Special Olympics NY
The SU Sport Management Club announced Special Olympics NY is the recipient of proceeds from the Club’s Eighth Annual Charity Sports Auction held on December 8 at the Carrier Dome. In getting to know more about the mission of the Special Olympics organization before the upcoming Auction, SPM Club students, led by SPM major Alyssa Wood, held a flash mob on the SU Quad before the SU-Louisville Men’s Football game November 10 in support of the Special Olympics NY Polar Plunge. The final tally from the Auction to be donated to Special Olympics New York will be announced this semester.
Erica Doe, MSW ’12, receives Fulbright Award
Erica Doe is a 2012 graduate of the School of Social Work and received a Fulbright Award that has taken her to Johannesburg, South Africa in January. Her award falls under the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program. She is based at the University of the Witwatersrand’s School of Education where she is responsible for leading lectures and student study groups, grading papers and exams, and conducting one-on-one meetings with students. She is teaching two courses, Language Methodologies and New Literacies for Teachers. She also assists in the Writing Center and on research projects.
Doe is in the process of starting a ‘Sister Circle’ at the Rosa Parks Library in Soweto with young women ages 14-17. “We will meet biweekly to discuss a different topic, including HIV/AIDS, sexual health, healthy relationships, college,” says Doe. “Our sessions will include writing, either poetry or prose, to help them practice English reading, writing and speaking skills.” The main purpose is to use the art of writing as a less intimidating way to address complex topics and express challenging thoughts and emotions. “If I am able to start the same group at Wits, I would eventually like to bring them together and add a mentorship piece, which may help make the groups sustainable. If not, my hope is that the older members of the group in Soweto will begin to serve as mentors to the younger girls.”
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is the largest U.S. exchange program offering opportunities for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and primary and secondary school teaching worldwide. The program currently awards approximately 1,800 grants annually in all fields of study, and operates in more than 155 countries worldwide.
Social Workers United Extends Donation Drive for Hurricane Sandy
Drop-Off Location: 3rd Floor, Sims Hall
With the recent storms in the New York City and New Jersey areas, students in the School of Social Work, led by members of its student organization, Social Workers United, have been collecting items to support those affected by the storms. Due to overwhelming and very generous response of donations of coats, sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves and blankets arriving daily to Sims Hall, the drive has been extended through November 30. Because transportation volunteers are bringing donations personally to the severely affected areas, they can provide regular updates to Social Workers United on specifically needed items. At this time, the following items are being requested
- Cleaning supplies (including Clorox)
- Shovels
- Garbage bags
- Toothbrushes (new)
- Toothpaste, soap
- Hairbrushes (new)
- Baby items (food, diapers)
- Kids items (backpacks, clothing)
- Blankets
- Canned goods
- Water
- Gloves, hats, scarfs
- Sweaters and sweatshirts
Social Workers United worked with the Red Cross on November 13 to coordinate a blood drive to support the New York City/New Jersey areas. Due to overwhelming response from participants, a second follow-up blood drive is being coordinated by Social Workers United soon.
SWK students participate in 14th annual James L. Stone Legislative Symposium
The historical, ethical, political, and economic considerations regarding residential care for persons with special needs were explored during the Syracuse University School of Social Work’s 14th Annual James L. Stone Legislative Policy Symposium on Friday, October 26. The event, which is co-sponsored by the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, was organized around the theme, “The Measure of a Society: What Does New York State Owe its Most Vulnerable Citizens?” State officials, disability advocates, persons who have direct experience as consumers of state-funded residential care, and service providers explored the likely impact of the recently established Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, which tracks and investigates complaints related to abuse and neglect.
A recent New York Times series exposed physical, sexual, and psychological abuses of residents with conditions like Down Syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy. The series also cast light on Medicaid fraud in group homes and institutions; over-drugging to keep people sedated; widespread persecution of whistleblowers; and discrepancies between agencies about what is and isn’t legal. Early this year, Governor Cuomo commissioned a report on the practices of six state agencies that oversee residential programs for vulnerable populations. Following its publication in April 2012, the Governor requested, and on June 19, 2012 the New York Legislature passed, legislation establishing the Justice Center and designed according to the Governor’s office, “to establish the strongest standards and practices in the nation for protecting people with special needs and disabilities.”
Marc Brandt, executive director, New York State ARC, spoke on the Justice Center Legislation and what it means. James L. Stone, SU School of Social Work alumnus whose support makes the symposium possible, offered reflections on serving vulnerable populations. Stone is the former commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health, Deputy Administrator of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services for the US DHHS, and Acting Director of Behavioral Health for the Indian Health Service, US DHHS. Panelists and topics included:
Advocates Discuss Safe, Competent, and Compassionate Living Environments
Moderator: Alejandro Garcia, Professor, SU School of Social Work; Panelists: Michael Kennedy, Field Assistant, Self Advocacy Association of New York, CNY Office, and Nicholas Cappoletti, Executive Director, Advocates Incorporated.
State Perspectives on the Politics, Policy, and Complexities of Establishing the Justice Center
Moderator: Nancy Mudrick, Professor, SU School of Social Work; Panelists: Assemblyman Michael Kearns, Assembly District 145, John Allen, Special Asst. to Commissioner, Director, Office of Consumer Affairs, NYS Office of Mental Health, and Kerry Delaney, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Counsel, OPWDD.
Advocates and Providers Assess Local Implications
Moderator: Maria Brown, Professor of Practice, School of Social Work; Panelists: Judy Bliss-Ridgeway, President, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Syracuse, Jimmy Curtin, Director of Developmental Disabilities, Elmcrest, Stephen Russell, Vice-Pres., Developmental Disability Services, Liberty Resources, Inc., and Laura Greenfield, Independent Living Liaison, OPWDD.
Mudrick Co-Authors Rehabilitation Interventions
School of Social Work Professor Nancy Mudrick has co-authored the book, Rehabilitation Interventions with Margaret A. Turk, Professor, SUNY Upstate Medical University. The publication is one of eight volumes in the SAGE Reference Series on Disability, edited by Gary L. Albrecht, which is a cross-disciplinary and issues-based series incorporating links from varied fields making up disability studies.
Rehabilitation Interventions explores issues involving rehabilitation interventions and therapies. Examining topics central to the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families, this book balances history, theory, research, and application, while setting out the findings and implications of research and practice for others whose current or future work involves the care and/or study of those with disabilities, as well as for individuals with disabilities. In addition to compiled data and statistics, recommended further readings, a guide to organizations and associations, Mudrick and Turk’s book offers a guide to new directions and trends and contemporary resources in the field as a whole.
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