Interactions HBSSW Fall 08 by Helen Bader School of Social Welfare

FALL 2008

interactions UW–MILWAUKEE | HELEN BADER SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WELFARE

in this issue PG

Project evaluation: Safe schools and healthy students

Social workers have a critical role to play in aging care

Child Welfare Partnership for Professional Development

In memoriam: Elliot and Marcia Coles shared talents with community

Cathleen Pollock (MSW ‘00) named 2007 social worker of the year

Carl Pope retires

t the end of May 2008, the HBSSW said goodbye to the criminal justice faculty member who had been with the School longer than almost any other current faculty or staff person. Professor Carl E. Pope taught his last class, turned in his last grades, cleaned out his office and left the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare. We are sad but better for his having been here. In 1975, after completing his Ph.D. at SUNY-Albany, Pope joined the criminal justice faculty at UWM. At that time, there were only two academically trained faculty members in criminal justice. But as Pope said, “Over time, all that changed. We began to recruit credentialed faculty who had experience with mainline Ph.D. programs, and we tightened up the curriculum to make it more viable and stringent. All of a sudden, we had required courses and a sequence of courses, and we added a lot of electives. For a while, our enrollments dropped, but then we started getting a new type of student who really wanted to learn what we had to teach.” Part of that change involved the creation of the master’s in criminal justice program, with Pope at the center. When developed, the master’s program was one of only a handful of such programs in the country. Pope was promoted to full professor in 1983 in recognition of his service to the School and the campus and his publication and research record. He was active in the department in other ways, serving as chair of the Criminal Justice Programs (now the Department of Criminal Justice) for several years, and he was actively engaged in a wide variety of research projects that brought hundreds of thousands of dollars to UWM and the School. Said Dean Stan Stojkovic, “Carl Pope was the architect of what became a nationally

recognized Department of Criminal Justice. His efforts put the Department of Criminal Justice on the map. His influence will be felt for many years to come among criminal justice practitioners and criminal justice scholars.” With Associate Professor Rick Lovell, Pope played a major role in the development of Milwaukee’s Volunteer Role Model Program and the program’s handbook. This program matched 100 young African American male offenders with 100 African American males from Milwaukee-area black Baptist churches. The volunteers worked on an individual basis with young, first-time offenders who were sentenced to a period of probation by Milwaukee Children’s Court. The goal of the program was to prevent repeat offenses by the young participants and to provide them with intensive, one-on-one intervention that the juvenile justice system cannot provide. Pope’s research projects included an evaluation of the Boys and Girls Club of America’s programming efforts in public housing projects. With Associate Professors Bill Feyerherm and Rick continued on page 4

interactions Inside InterActions is published semi-annually by the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, University of Wisconsinâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Milwaukee, P.O. Box 786, Milwaukee, WI 53201, 414-229-4851, www.uwm.edu/Dept/SSW Dean: Stan Stojkovic Editor: Carolyn Kott Washburne Editorial Liaison: Diane Miller, Assistant Dean

FEATURES

DEPARTMEN T S

4 Safe schools and healthy students 5to playSocialin aging workers have a critical role care

3 From the Dean 9-13 Program updates 13 Alumni News 14 Student news 16 In memoriam 18 Donors list 21 People & Programs 22 Grants & Research Awards

6enhances Child Welfare Partnership professional development

Graphic Artist: Susan McKay

7Annual HBSSW and the NASWWI 2008 Conference

Please send us your ideas and feedback

Faculty and Staff honored by Chancellor

In an effort to provide our readers with the best and most pertinent information we can, we need you to tell us what you think about our School newsletter, InterActions. Please review this publication and as you read through, note the article(s) that you like and the article(s) you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. In addition, please share with us what you would like to see in future publications.

International field placement offers unique practicum setting Faculty meets with Reggie Bicha

23 Cathleen Pollock named 2007 social worker of the year

You can send your responses to Diane Miller, Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, Enderis Hall 1193, P.O. Box 786, Milwaukee, WI 53201, e-mail dm@ uwm.edu, fax 414-229-5311. Please indicate whether you are an alum, student, faculty member or friend. We will share our results in a future issue.

interactions FALL 2008

Fall 2008

From the dean

Moving forward… faculty, staff, students and alumni

s we begin 2008-09 school year, the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare has much to be proud of as a national leader in the criminal justice and social work fields. The social work doctoral program, for example, has another new cohort of students as we continue to move forward and produce the best and brightest students for academic careers in social work. In addition, the Department of Criminal Justice continues its tradition of securing external research funding through its Safe Schools and Healthy Students partnership with the Milwaukee Public Schools. Led by Associate Professor Rick Lovell, this effort is a datadriven project to assist faculty and staff in the Milwaukee Public Schools enhance safety and promote a learning environment for students. Moreover, as I indicated in a previous issue (InterActions, Winter 2007-08), the School was in the process of reconstituting a new alumni board. We had over 25 people express an interest in being on the board, so many people that we decided to have staggered terms for individuals to serve. In the past four years since I have been dean, many alumni have written, e-mailed and called saying they wanted more involvement in the School. The new alumni board will be making an appeal to all alumni to reconnect to the School. Under the leadership of newly elected president Sandra Chavez, I am confident that the Alumni Association will be moving forward to work with both alumni and current students to become involved in a number of social, educational and recreational events. As I told the alumni board, the School cannot ascend to higher levels of research, instruction and service without a vibrant alumni board. I am convinced this new board will be making great strides in the coming year (see sidebar for the names of board members and their professional affiliations). I encourage you to visit our website (www.hbssw.uwm.edu) and see our new look. It’s really sharp! I want to thank Ellen LaFouge and Carolyn Bucior for their outstanding efforts in making the homepage attractive and informative for viewers. You should be able to find information on all activities, events and educational programming in the School. In this way, you can stay connected. Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts, ideas and concerns (414-2294400, e-mail stojkovi@uwm.edu). I look forward to hearing from you. As we head into the new school year, we have high expectations for our students, faculty and staff. We are truly becoming a national leader in criminal justice and social work education. Please join us to make the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare even a better place than it already is. On a final note, I want to congratulate Professor Carl Pope on his retirement. After 33 years of service to the School, Professor Pope decided to retire. His efforts contributed greatly to the School. I wish him continued success in his retirement.

Meet your new alumni board After several months of searching and interviewing, Dean Stan Stojkovic and the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare are pleased to announce the reconstitution of the School’s Alumni Board. Thirteen alumni of the School have been selected to serve on the board for the next three years. The current members will serve staggered terms through 2011. Members and their years of service are:

2008-09 Sandra Chavez (President) MATC Doug Holton, Milwaukee Fire Department Rachele Klassy, House of Corrections Raymond Konz-Krzyminski, V.A. Hospital Greg Peterson, Appleton Police Department James Santiago-Lloyd, Milwaukee Public Schools

2009-10 Angie Brunhart, Waukesha Training Center, Inc. Sandra Chavez Gwendolyn Gehl, private practice Rachele Klassy Tobias Libber, Helen Bader Foundation Greg Peterson

2010-11 Angie Brunhart Gwendolyn Gehl Tobias Libber Marty Ordinans, Wisconsin Department of Corrections Maxine Spears Winston, Milwaukee Public Schools Dan Tushaus, Brookfield Police Department Barbara Weber, Jewish Family Services Dean Stojkovic is pleased to be working with this group. “I am thrilled to have a dedicated group of criminal justice and social work professionals who will work with faculty, staff and students to integrate alumni back into the School,” he said. “This is a very exciting time for the School, and the alumni association will play a pivotal role in us moving forward.”

Stan Stojkovic, Dean Helen Bader School of Social Welfare FALL 2008 interactions

Project evaluation

Safe schools and healthy students by Rick Lovell, Associate Professor

Police Department and the Latino Community Center. The project began in January 2008 and continues until August 31, 2011.

The Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. MPS is initiating a four-year project involving five major elements and multiple specific programs across 30 schools. The MPS project involves collaboration by a number of partners from across the community, including the Office of the Mayor, the Milwaukee

Associate Professors Rick Lovell, Steve Brandl and William Pelfrey Jr. will provide outcome evaluation and limited process evaluation of the MPS project. Evaluation will encompass 1) overall assessment of outcomes for each of the five major elements, defined by specified performance objectives; 2) assessment of outcomes for the programs; 3) assessment of implementation of the programs; 4) and overall assessment of the functioning of the partnership. This project is a continuation of partnership efforts between the Department of Criminal Justice, MPS and MPD that began in 1997 to address problems of violence and related issues in Milwaukee Public Schools.

afe Schools and Healthy Students is a federal initiative designed to assist selected school districts in developing, implementing and evaluating multifaceted efforts to provide safe environments for learning as well as addressing issues of health and well-being that constitute the threshold foundations for learning among youth.

Carl Pope retires continued from first page

Lovell, this project involved evaluation efforts in 33 cities. Pope and Lovell also led a national evaluation of the U.S. Justice Department’s Operation Weed and Seed, across 22 cities. In addition, Pope and Lovell and Professors Harold Rose and Stan Stojkovic conducted an extensive, federally mandated study of minority overrepresentation in Wisconsin’s juvenile justice system. This study resulted in recommendations to the governor and the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Commission on addressing minority overrepresentation in Wisconsin. Also, Lovell and Pope were among the founding members of the Hamilton Fish National Institute on School and

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Community Violence. From 1997 through 2005, they were national principal investigators for the Institute involved in national-scope efforts and building a partnership with the Milwaukee Public Schools and the Milwaukee Police Department. This resulted in a variety of studies and projects of value to the Milwaukee community, including an additional three-year project funded by the U.S. National Institute of Justice aimed at better integrating law enforcement into school safety planning and operations. Pope’s list of publications and presentations at conferences is lengthy, attesting to his hard work and commitment to research. While continuing his own research and publication record, Pope served on many University-wide

committees, chaired the School’s Executive Committee and served as a mentor to many graduate students. As noted by Michael Harrington, BSCJ ’91 and MSCJ ’95, “People like Carl Pope were instrumental in getting me accepted, walking me through the process and encouraging me.” Pope plans to take a well-deserved break during the next few months to rest, relax and ponder what lies ahead. He plans to do some traveling and is already looking at volunteer opportunities. After 33 years as a member of the School’s faculty, Pope is looking forward to doing something completely different and nonacademic. We wish him well in the next phase of his life. We’ll miss you, Carl!

America’s population is aging — and living longer

Social workers have a critical role to play in aging care by Roberta Hanus, Associate Clinical Professor, and Jeanne Wagner, Director of Field Education

y the year 2030, one in five Americans will be 65 years of age or older. By the year 2050, there will be five times as many Americans aged 85 or older than there are today (Federal Interagency on Aging, Related Statistics: Older Americans 2004). The Helen Bader School of Social Welfare Social Work Field Program has been selected to receive a grant from the Hartford Practicum Partnership Aging Education (HAAPAE) to increase the ranks of well-qualified geriatric social workers throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. In collaboration with the New York Academy of Medicine and the Social Work Leadership institute, HPPAE and HBSSW will be engaged in a community-university partnership to grow the workforce of qualified and specialized M.S.W. social workers in aging care. Through the implementation of a rotational model of field education, graduate social work students selected for the HPPAE training: • will be exposed to a wider range of aging services and career opportunities in aging, • will be exposed to topics of special interest in gerontology not covered in courses, • will take on a range of traditional and nontraditional responsibilities and learning opportunities involving older adults, their families and their caregivers, • will work with multiple field

supervisors and other instructors, exposing them to different leadership and supervisory skills • will receive a $2,500 scholarship for their involvement in the HPPAE training, • will participate in a graduate field seminar focused on field issues in aging, and • will establish a network of gerontological peers whom they can consult and keep in touch with after graduation In addition to the eight student stipends, an additional $2,200 will be provided annually for student participation and presentations at conferences, workshops and community networking events. Eight field instructors will be awarded $250 honorariums annually for their invaluable contributions to the field education experiences of our gerontology students. Several of these students will have the opportunity to rotate across multiple departments and/or agencies during their practicum experience. This will allow them to expand on the development of their social work competencies with the broad range and abilities of older adults in the Milwaukee and Waukesha areas. The application for this grant was a great faculty/staff collaboration. The project will provide wonderful opportunities to expand the School’s partnerships with community agencies serving older adults.

By the year 2030:

1 in 5 Americans will be 65 years of age or older. By the year 2050:

5 times as many Americans 85 or older than There will be

there are today.

If you are ready for an exciting career challenge and would like to join a supportive and ever-increasing specialty area of social work practice, please contact Clinical Associate Professor Roberta Hanus at 414-2296026, Enderis Hall Room 1063.

FALL 2008 interactions

Child Welfare Partnership enhances professional development by Julie Brown, Director, Milwaukee Child Welfare Partnership for Professional Development

The following is a brief sketch of MCWPPD activities and accomplishments in 2007:

he UWM–Milwaukee Child Welfare Partnership for Professional Development (MCWPPD) is a growing program in the School. The program is a partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare (BMCW) and the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare. Of the five partnerships of its kind established with UW campuses around the state, the MCWPPD is the largest — both in staff and budget as well as in the number of child welfare staff served. The MCWPPD has two major responsibilities: 1. Design, manage and deliver training and professional development to the approximately 500 public child welfare staff, supervisors and managers employed by the BMCW and its private agency partners, and 2. Design, manage and deliver training to the approximately 700 Milwaukee foster/adoptive families licensed by the BMCW Fulfilling these responsibilities requires extensive collaboration with both BMCW and statewide child welfare leadership, UWM faculty and administration and a wide range of national and local experts.

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• Served 7313 training participants. This includes both BMCW staff as well as foster and adoptive parents. Training participants complete multiple courses throughout the year. Because all participants require preparation and attention for each course they attend, we present the total number as the best representation of the work of the Partnership • Provided 571 formal training sessions. • Provided 49 percent of offerings for BMCW staff that were new or substantially revised in 2007. • Provided 31 percent of offerings for foster/adoptive parents that were new or substantially revised in 2007. • Developed courses taught by a wide array of qualified, competent instructors including MCWPPD staff, BMCW staff, UW–Milwaukee faculty, consultants from national organizations and child welfare resource centers, and Milwaukee/Wisconsin-based experts. • Expanded MCWPPD capacity by hiring two curriculum and instruction managers with broad instructional responsibilities in both staff and foster/adoptive parent training. • Added a training series for advanced child welfare practitioners linking them with UW–Milwaukee faculty research. The courses focused on current UWM faculty research and its relevance to public child welfare practice in Milwaukee and elsewhere. • Expanded the range of professional development services offered to include consultation to supervisors, managers and work teams. • Intensified the focus on developing supervisory capabilities and added numerous courses for supervisors. Developed tools to assist supervisors in their development of staff and provided individual consultation to supervisors and their teams. • Provided leadership, consultation and support to a wide range of practice initiatives launched both locally and statewide. • Established and/or developed collaborations with allied organizations in order to bring expertise to staff and foster parent training. Staff and foster parent training were enriched by instructors and curriculum developers from organizations including: Office of Milwaukee County District Attorney John T. Chisholm W-2 agencies (UMOS, Maximus, YWCA) Department of Workforce Development Medical College of Wisconsin Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Mobile Urgent Treatment Team (MUTT) Milwaukee Public Schools Task Force on Family Violence Mental Health America

HBSSW and the NASW WI 2008 Annual Conference

nce again the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare was well represented at the annual NASW WI Annual Conference, held May 14-16, 2008, in Madison, Wis. This year’s presenters included alums, current faculty, and current and retired field faculty. Presentation included the following: “Jails and Mental Health Services: The Role of the Social Worker,” presented by Dean Stan Stojkovic. “Transferring Social Work Research into Practice: Real World Strategies,” presented by Assistant Professors Lisa Berger, Laura Otto-Salaj, and Virginia Stoffel from the College of Health Sciences, and social work Ph.D. students Andrea Gromoske and Jennifer Hernandez-Meier.

Wendy-Volz Daniels and Kirby Daniels.

“Supervison,” led by alumna Joan Groessl (MSW ’89)

Alumus Thomas Galten (MSW ’94) presented “Spiritually Sensitive Social Work Practice.”

Alumnus Elliot Lubar (MSW ’69) was one of the panel members for the Death with Dignity Forum, presenting the pro side of the 2007 Senate Bill 151, also known as the Death with Dignity Bill. Alumna Elizabeth Terlinden (MSW ’99) represented the con side of the bill, which would permit individuals with a terminal disease and who meet specific criteria to request medication from their physicians for the purpose of ending the individual’s life in a human and dignified manner.

Several Specialty Networking Sessions, held during the lunch hour, were moderated by representatives from the School: “The Cultural Diversity Book Club,” led by retired field instructor Gail Johnson and alumna Caroline Lenyard (MSW ’84). “Retired Social Workers,” led by retired field instructor Joanne Barndt. “School Social Work,” led by Associate Clinical Professor Wendy Volz-Daniels.

Clinical Associate Professor Wendy Volz-Daniels and alumna Joan Groessel (MSW ’89) were members of the Social Workers in Government panel.

“Crash: A Discussion of the Movie,” led by Associate Clinical Professor

Faculty and Staff honored by Chancellor At this year’s Length of Service Awards ceremony, presented by the office of UWM Chancellor Carlos Santiago on May 7, the following HBSSW faculty and staff were honored: Mary Paynter .................................................. 5 years Lisa Berger .................................................... 10 years Linda Czernicki ............................................ 10 years Wendy Volz-Daniels .................................... 10 years Christine Lowery ......................................... 15 years Carol Kozminski .......................................... 20 years Stan Stojkovic ............................................... 25 years Barbara Robinson ........................................ 35 years Congratulations to all of you, and thank you for contributions to the School!

FALL 2008 interactions

International field placement offers unique practicum setting

he HBSSW Field Education Program developed its first graduate international field practicum in the summer 2008 semester when M.S.W. student Amanda Boman was placed at the Plymouth Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) in the beautiful coastal town of Plymouth, England. Students in this unique practicum have an opportunity to experience a holistic approach to

alcohol and drug treatment in programs that utilize the harm reduction model. DAAT provides a spacious, twobedroom apartment at minimal cost to students; it is located in the historic Hamoaze House, built in 1795. During the summer, Amanda wrote that this placement has offered her an opportunity to experience and learn things that wouldn’t have been possible

in the U.S. “I am living and learning about a foreign culture and am now thinking about social work from a global perspective. This has been an amazing opportunity for me to challenge myself and grow as a professional. I hope more students take the chance to work in another country and help the Department of Social Work’s international program continue to grow.”

Faculty meets with Reggie Bicha

POSITION ONLY

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Reggie Bicha, the newly appointed director of the newest state department, the Department of Children and Families, was introduced to the faculty of the HBSSW at a reception on April 2, 2008. Bicha was introduced by Denise Revels Robinson, director of the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare, who praised his leadership and experience in Eau Claire for the past several years. “The new department will be able to develop a more comprehensive and effective approach to the welfare of children and families in Wisconsin,” he emphasized in his remarks. In particular, he stated his support for early education initiatives and efforts to improve the health of all Wisconsin’s children. Dean Stan Stojkovic and other faculty interested in issues confronting children and families welcomed the opportunity to meet and discuss these issues with the new director.

Criminal justice programs update by Steve Brandl, Chair, Department of Criminal Justice

fter more than 30 years of dedicated service to the Department of Criminal Justice and to the profession, Professor Carl Pope has retired from the University (see cover story). Pope came to the University when the criminal justice programs were in their infancy. His work and leadership have helped make the Department of Criminal Justice what it is today: a vibrant, dynamic and exciting place to learn and work. We are all very appreciative of the work of Professor Pope. The department has hired Michael Harrington, a former UWM Criminal Justice student (BSCJ ’91, MSCJ ’95), as a senior lecturer to help fill the shoes of Carl Pope. Harrington is currently completing his Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska–Omaha. He will be teaching research methods, violence and corrections courses beginning in fall 2008. The Criminal Justice faculty continues to be heavily involved in significant research activities. For example, Associate Professors Rick Lovell, Steve Brandl and Will Pelfrey are currently conducting research supported by a four-year, $520,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Justice to evaluate numerous anti-violence strategies implemented in the Milwaukee Public Schools. The project, titled “Safe Schools Healthy Students” (see story on p. 4), involves partnerships with MPS along with several other community agencies, including the Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office and Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division. In addition, Assistant Professor Kimberly Hassell is working with the City of Racine to evaluate their Weed and Seed initiatives and is also conducting a workplace climate analysis in the Fargo, N.D., Police

Department. Assistant Professor Tom LeBel continues as a co-investigator on the Supporting Jails in Providing Substance Abuse Services for Women project and is conducting research on prisoner reintegration and stigma. Assistant Professor Tina Freiburger is continuing her research on the effects of race and gender on criminal sentencing decisions and is also conducting research on the effects of Megan’s Law on rates of sexual offending. The Department of Criminal Justice has begun preparations for the 21st Annual Criminal Justice Career Day, to be held on March 31, 2009 in the Student Union. The 2008 Career Day proved to be the biggest and best ever, with over 50 federal, state, local and private agencies represented. In fact, it is a great testament to the quality of the UWM criminal justice programs that many of the agency representatives at the Career Day were former (or current) UWM Criminal Justice students! All students are invited to attend the Criminal Justice Career Day. The Department thanks Theresa Payton Myrick for her efforts in planning and organizing the Criminal Justice Career Day. With funding from the A.P. Sloan Foundation, the Department of Criminal Justice continues to develop and offer a hybrid learning program where courses provide face-to-face and online instruction. Last year, Administration of Criminal Justice (CRM JST 370) was taught be Dean Stan Stojkovic, and Policing the Multicultural Community (CRM JST 592) was taught by Assistant Professor Kimberly Hassell. In fall 2008, Corrections Process (CRM JST 273) is being offered by Assistant Professor Tom Lebel.

Watch for the 21st Annual Criminal Justice Career Day coming in March 31, 2009

Finally, the Department congratulates master’s student Bryan Bubolz as the recipient of the Chancellor’s Fellowship Award for 2008-2009. Bubolz will receive $7,250 to assist with educational expenses.

FALL 2008 interactions

Social work programs update by Deborah Padgett, Chair, Department of Social Work

his fall we are welcoming three new faculty to the social work program.

Dr. Jung Kwak has her Ph.D. in Aging Studies from the University of South Florida with an M.SW. from the University of South Carolina. Most recently she has been a postdoctoral fellow at UWM with the Center on Age & Community, working with Dr. Rhonda Montgomery, Endowed Chair in Applied Gerontology. Her research is in family caregiving, cultural diversity and health disparities, and end-of-life decision-making. Dr. Dimitri Topitzes has his Ph.D. and M.S.W. from University of Wisconsin–Madison with interests in early childhood intervention, delinquency and youth development. He has experience as an outpatient clinician, most recently providing mental health treatment for youth

related to school and family issues. Additionally, Dr. Topitzes has taught graduate courses on methods of practice with children and families. Dr. Paul Florsheim comes to us from the University of Utah, where he has been an associate professor of clinical psychology for the past nine years. His research interests are on the clinical and developmental issues relevant to high-risk adolescents. Currently he is working on the Young Parent Study, a longitudinal, community-based research project. He has clinical experience with adolescents, families and couples. Dr. Florsheim will be splitting his time between HBSSW and the Center for Urban Population Health at UWM. We are pleased to welcome these new faculty to the School, and we look forward to their participation in our programs!

Seeking interventions that work

CABHR and its partners look for answers by Erin O’Donnell, CABHR Editor

Center for Alcohol and Behavioral Health Research

interactions FALL 2008

hen you hear the term “intervention research,” you might imagine scientists toiling away in offices and laboratories, far removed from the thorny realities of substance abuse and mental health. But a closer look at the work of CABHR scientists reveals something else entirely. Intervention research is a practical, hands-on process that can have real effects on the daily work of therapists and social work practitioners. CABHR scientists work closely with community agencies and other service providers because, they say, it’s the best way to

find and test legitimate solutions to addictions and mental health problems. “This is very different from ivory tower research,” explains Kit Murphy McNally, executive director of the Benedict Center, a nonprofit criminal justice agency that serves women in conflict with the law and frequently partners with CABHR researchers. “They are going into the jail with us, and they’re right in the middle of one of the really traumatizing environments that women experience.” Associate Professor Susan Rose, co-principal investigator of the ongoing Women in Jails project, said CABHR

asked the Benedict Center to participate in this study because “they know the community very well. These are professionals who’ve been working in this area for a long time. We could not do what we do without them.”

What is intervention research? The goal of this work is to design, develop and evaluate interventions to determine which tools are the most effective, and why. CABHR scientist Jonathan Kanter said people sometimes confuse intervention research with program evaluation. The latter is usually initiated by an organization to determine if it is delivering the right services to the right people. Intervention research, rather, is “about scientific modelbuilding, about really understanding things at a theoretical level in a way that would guide program development or inform interventions,” Kanter said. Intervention research has always been central to CABHR’s mission. “The studies that were our heart and soul through our developmental course were intervention studies,” said Professor Audrey Begun, CABHR scientist. These include two national, multi-site projects funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Project MATCH, which tested treatmentmatching hypotheses, and Project COMBINE, which evaluated the effectiveness of behavioral treatments with and without medications.

The CABHR approach to intervention research CABHR scientists say community partners play a critical role in shaping intervention studies long before the first statistic is collected. Consider a project on depression and stigma in the African American community that

Kanter is developing with Assistant Professor Michael Brondino. To design the study, the two held a series of meetings with a group of licensed African American mental health clinicians practicing in Milwaukee; they also convened a focus group of African American women to discuss depression and stigma. In the past, researchers conducting studies like these might have gone to people in the field with a research study fully planned, Kanter said. “That’s not the model we’re trying to use here. We’re trying to work with the community to figure out the right questions to ask and how to ask them, and to build the project collaboratively from the ground up.” This labor-intensive process is usually conducted before scientists apply for grants to fund the project.

What’s the payoff of intervention research? CABHR scientists hope their findings not only influence future research and help organizations chose effective tools but also impact public policy. “We hope that people who have the power to do so will allocate resources to help others use the information we’ve collected to reduce risk behaviors or increase health behaviors,” said Assistant Professor Laura Otto-Salaj. But these researchers are also driven by simple scientific curiosity. “I worked as a therapist myself for 20 years,” Rose said. “I’m interested in understanding some of these issues, because I faced them all the time. How do you know what you’re doing is effective? Are there things that you can do that are more effective? Those are the things that therapists ask themselves all the time.”

Current intervention research studies at CABHR include: • A study evaluating a new tool to track lifetime alcohol change attempts, led by Begun and Assistant Professors Lisa Berger and Michael Brondino. • The Women in Jails project, which provides motivational interviewing to help women prepare to address alcohol and drug problems after release, conducted by Begun, Rose and Assistant Professor Tom LeBel from the Department of Criminal Justice. • HEART to HEART, a combined HIV and alcohol intervention for inner-city women with alcohol-use disorders and coexisting sexual risk, led by Assistant Professor Laura Otto-Salaj and Rose. • A randomized, controlled trial of two interventions for college freshmen who violate university alcohol policy, led by CABHR-affiliated scientist Carol Haertlein Sells. • A study of the effect of a combination of medication and brief counseling for alcoholic patients in a family medicine setting, conducted by Assistant Professor Lisa Berger, Aurora Health Care’s Lance Longo and Michael Bohn.

“This is very different from ivory tower research.” FALL 2008 interactions

Applied Gerontology news

Applied Gerontology continues to grow by Jessica Jacobs, Research Partnership Liaison

he Office of Applied Gerontology is continuing its work in several areas: expand the caregiver registry, the League of Experienced Family Caregivers (LEFC); provide TCARE (Tailored Caregiver Assessment and Referral) certification and training to care managers in Georgia, Michigan, Washington and Minnesota; create community resource directories focusing primarily on caregiver resources; and examine the experiences of those who care for a partner or spouse in its “Learning from You” study. The League of Experienced Family Caregivers continues to grow thanks to the help of over 400 partner organizations and care managers. To date, the League currently has over 1,600 hundred family caregivers from around the nation who are helping the project team create and refine assessment tools and care management protocols that will enhance service delivery and accessibility for all family caregivers. Additional information can be found on the project Web site, www. familycaregivers.uwm.edu TCARE, a six-step care management process developed by Dr. Rhonda Montgomery and colleagues, integrates the core components of care management: 1) conduct an assessment, 2) interpret the assessment, 3) identify appropriate strategies, goals and

services, 4) consult with the caregiver, 5) develop a care plan and 6) conduct follow-up and evaluate progress. The TCARE protocol is currently being piloted in Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Minnesota with care managers from organizations such as area agencies on aging, Alzheimer’s Associations and long-term care agencies that provide consultation and services to family caregivers. The curricula for care managers, materials and delivery methods have undergone significant fine tuning based on feedback from participants in these pilot programs. The training team routinely reviews suggestions from care managers to identify changes that may help them be successful in using the TCARE protocol with caregivers. Version 3.0 of the protocol and the user manual will be launched this fall with partner agencies in four states. The TCARE certification process for care managers to implement the protocol is currently underway. The TCARE process draws upon a generic Guide for Selecting Support Services that links 15 different types of community resources and services to particular caregiver intervention goals and support strategies. Examples of services found in the Guide include assistive technologies, support groups, palliative/hospice care, counseling,

financial/legal services and caregiver education. The Guide also lists the purpose of each type of resource and identifies specific elements of a given resource that may be helpful to a caregiver. In addition, TCARE allows partner service agencies to expand their current sources of information about specific resources that can address target caregiver support strategies. The TCARE team is working with resource specialists in Wisconsin, Florida, Georgia and Michigan to implement steps by which partner service agencies can work toward connecting services identified with the TCARE Guide to specific resources in their own communities. The “Learning from You” study, an additional study being housed in the Office of Applied Gerontology, examines the experiences of those who are caring for their spouse/partner to better understand their day-to-day caregiving experiences. The study has recently expanded to include caregivers from eight different states: Wisconsin, Iowa, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Montana, North Carolina and California. Participation in the study involves completing a short questionnaire about everyday caregiving experiences, including how caregivers view themselves and their relationship with their spouse/partner.

The League of Experienced Family Caregivers currently

400 partner organizations and care managers and 1600 registered family caregivers.

has over

Find out more at: www.familycaregivers.uwm.edu

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Alumni news Graduates of the 2000s

Brittney Neidhardt (MSW ’08) wrote a letter to the editor of the JournalSentinel concerning the Milwaukee Common Council committee’s decision to table a development for housing for people with mental illness. Her letter was published in the June 1, 2008, edition of the paper.

Reception on May 17, 2008. As forensics investigator in the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office, her duties include investigating deaths that occur in Milwaukee County, conducting crime scene investigations to establish and determine the cause of death, and directing families as they take care of their loved ones.

Courtney Robinson (MSW ’08) is currently working as a S.O.A.R. (SSI/ SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery) benefits specialist at Health Care for the Homeless. Many of the clients have been denied disability benefits, and Robinson prepares their cases so that they can be approved and the clients can receive the benefits they desperately need.

Williams is one of very few African American women in the country to work in the field of forensics as an investigator. She is setting the standards for others, having obtained an advanced degree, and she is a rare person within the criminal justice field; her expertise is sought after by many organizations.

Deborah Sevart (MSW ’07) recently joined Jewish Family Services Inc. in Milwaukee as a case manager.

Prior to this position, Williams was employed by the Milwaukee County Sheriff ’s Department as a dispatcher where she received 911 calls; earlier in her career she was employed as admissions representative with the Milwaukee County Health Complex. She also currently teaches criminal justice at Bryant and Stratton College.

Anthony Hahn (BSCJ ’00, MSCJ ’07) is currently employed as police officer with the Fond du Lac, Wis., Police Department.

Crystal L. Williams (MSCJ ’04, BSCJ ’99) was the recipient of this year’s GOLD (Graduate Of the Last Decade) award and was honored at the UWM Alumni Association’s Awards

Graduates of the 1990s Thomas J. Margetta (BSCJ ’94) has been promoted to lead telecommunications supervisor (Communications Section leader) with the Boca Raton, Fla., Police/Fire/9-1-1 Center. He was recently awarded the People’s Choice Award for commitment to the emergency services profession for his work on the FCC Rebanding Order of public safety radio frequencies. Kristine (Olson) Thomas (BSCJ ’97) is a full-time faculty member in the Department of Justice Studies at Methodist University in Linden, N.C., and a program coordinator of the Master of Justice Administration.

Graduates of the 1970s Robert Lee (MSW ’77) has been a psychotherapist at Renew Counseling since 1994, after retiring as a supervisor at the Milwaukee County Department of Social Services. His daughter, Patricia Lee King, is one of the three members of the first class in the new social work Ph.D. program in the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare. Lee’s stepson is also a UWM graduate, receiving his degree in 1998.

Continuing education offerings for fall 2008 Contemporary Professional Boundaries and Ethics, October 3, 2008, and February 6, 2009 It’s More Than Your Vote That Counts: Social Work Electoral Advocacy & Political Action, October 10, 2008 The Dynamics of Conflicted Relationships, October 17, 2008 Basics for Crafting Winning Grants, November 7, 2008 Involuntary Treatment for Psychiatric Orders, February 16, 2009 Advanced Boundaries and Ethics for Supervisors, February 27, 2009 Understanding Infant Adoption, October 21,2008, January 16 and February 21, 2009. Classes are held in downtown Milwaukee at the UW–Milwaukee School of Continuing Education, 161 West Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 7000. For more information and registration on-line go to: http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SSW/ce/index.html.

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May grads honored at ceremony

pproximately 200 people filled room 220 of the Zelazo Center on May 17 to honor May graduates of the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare. The event began with a brief talk by HBSSW alumnus Raymond Konz-Krzyminski (MSW ’91), social worker with the Zablocki V.A. Medical Center. He encouraged the graduates to always “do the next right thing, and thank your teachers, your families for their help, and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.” The graduates were then recognized and presented with their HBSSW lapel pin. Following the pinning, Jeanne Wagner, director of social work field education, presented this year’s Field Instructor of the Year awards to John Thiele, Milwaukee Public Schools; Ray Hoffmann, Aurora Medical Center; and Bonnie Jeglum, Jewish Home and Care Center. Each of the recipients, nominated by clinical social work faculty, was recognized for his or her outstanding performance and commitment to social work education.

(left to right) John Thiele, Wendy Volz-Daniels and Ray Hoffman

After the ceremony, friends and family were treated to coffee and cake and had plenty of time to take pictures of the proud graduates. We congratulate all of our May 2008 graduates and give you our best wishes for a successful future.

“do the next right thing, and thank your teachers, your families for their help, and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.” —Raymond Konz-Krzyminski (MSW ’91)

(left to right) Raymond Konz-Krzyminski, Greg Konz-Krzyminski and Roberta Hanus

Students receive Chancellor’s Fellowship Awards Graduate students in both social work and criminal justice were selected as recipients of the Chancellor’s Fellowship Awards for 2008-09. The awards have no performance expectation but instead are designed to assist students by subsidizing part of their graduate education.

Recipients for 2008-09 are: Bryan Bubolz Quinten Johnstone Kimberly D’Anna

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Carey Kromarek Jennifer Brazy Krystle Moraska

HBSSW students earn senior honors The following graduates of the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare received senior honors at ceremonies in December 2007 and May 2008. To be eligible for senior honors, graduating students must have earned a grade point average of 3.5 or better.

December 2007 graduates: Carolyn Bacovsky Maren Bourelle Abby Gjeston

Michael Martin Rachel Paczkowski Matthew Raymond

Catelin Ringersma Joshua Schreiner Alyssa Schroeder

Lucia Stubbs Liesl Thornton Jacquelene Withrow

Jessica Keleta Yvonee LaShay Aaron Lemmens David Lindner Jane Mackey Bret Mathewson

Marty McNutt Megan O’Keefe Nicole Pritzlaff Carli Rheaume Ryan Sabel Ann Schwartz

Additionally, Anna Armstrong and Lindsay Healless completed requirements of the Honors College and graduated with the Honors degree in May 2008.

May 2008 graduates: Natasha Anderson Bryce Cox Patricia Ehrmann Tiffany Hanson Lindsay Healless Betsy Heinen

fall 2007 and spring 2008

Dean’s Honor List Students on this list completed 12 or more graded credits with a GPA of 3.75 or better for either the fall 2007 or spring 2008 semester. Those students marked with an asterisk (*) were on the honor list for both fall and spring semesters: Elizabeth Alaniva * Natasha Anderson * Brian Bennewitz Nickolas Bertrand Colin Bingen * Melissa Block Kerrie Boeckman * Brandon Bollech Kelly Brandt * Colleen Cherry Melissa Carpenter Shelia Christian * Jess Clementi Benjamin Cmelak Stephen Colwell Jeffrey Cottam Bryce Cox * Amy Craanen Nicole Delvoye * Hollie Derezinski Kimberly Doroff Bruce Dzubinski Danielle Dummer Brice Dzubinski Patricia Ehrmann Anna Fayerman Gina Fiacchino

Paul Fidlin Rick Fifrick Heather Foote * Aaron Frantal * Chelsea Gatterman Abby Gjston Eleanor Gordon * Brittany Graser Joshua Grunewald * David Gust * Craig Haas Jennifer Hanson * Amanda Harley Johanna Hauck Lindsay Healless Betsy Heinen * Nicole Heinen * Keith Henschel Daniel Hermes Alex Hinze * Ashley Holen Brandon Hood * Jessica Jacob Kevin Jahnke Ryan Janus Jeffrey Johnson

Jessica Kalman * Amanda Kastner Ashley Keaton Richelle Keepman Jessica Keleta Sara Kimball Lindsey Kobasick * Trevor Kowalke Adam Kubler Jessica Kraus Erin Kunda Thomas Lange Aaron Lemmens * Elzabeth Liebsch David Lindner * Hannah Lippe Michael Lutz Corynne Maciejewski Michelle Martin * Meghan McKeefry Marty McNutt Douglas Mellom * Sean Meyer * Kathleen Millard * Megan O’Keefe * Rachel Paczkowski

Kelly Pankiewicz Alison Peterson Matthew Pietruszynski Casey Pothour Sarah Reidy Devin Rogers Megan Rosa Shaw Ruppel Rebecca Salasek * Janise Saulys Daniela Scharlau Alyssa Schroeder Ann Schwartz Mary Schweitzer Vanessa Shaw Kellie Simmons * Nathan Straub Rachel Tolkan Benjamin Van Orsdol Neil Verburgt Tracey Wallace Ashley Williams Jacquelene Withrow Joanna Woodbury Jennifer Worman Danielle Zirkel FALL 2008 interactions

In memoriam

Elliot and Marcia Coles shared talents with community By Amy Rabideau Silvers (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 28, 2008) In 1974, she met Elliot Coles on a cross-country skiing outing. They married the next year. She quit teaching after becoming a mother but began volunteer work while her children were still young.

natural spaces. She felt that these public spaces were meant to be enjoyed by the public.” “She was into making cities and communities more livable,” son David Coles said.

Marcia Coles became active in child abuse prevention organizations, said Jackie Maggiore, former executive director with The Parenting Network, who became a friend. “The CAP (Child Abuse Prevention) Fund was established at Children’s Hospital, and Marcia was involved in that,” Maggiore said.

hatever Marcia Coles did, she did with a passion, and that included working to protect children from abuse and to protect Milwaukee parks, especially Lake Park and the North Point Lighthouse. She also cared for her ailing husband, Elliot Coles, until she was diagnosed with lung cancer last year. Her husband died June 19, at the age of 82. A nonsmoker, she died just two days later on June 21, 2008, at the age of 61. The former Marcia Christenson grew up on the family farm in Royal Iowa, going on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In the early 1970s, she came to Milwaukee to teach nutrition in UWM’s then School of Social Welfare. “It was common for women to go into things like nutrition, but it was very uncommon for someone to take it to the next level like that,” by teaching at a university, said her son Peter Coles. “She was very passionate about the subject and helping kids.”

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“What I admired most about her was, number one, she was one of the smartest people in the room, and, number two, she was really objective,” her friend said. “She was not influenced by political issues. She was beyond that. She was interested in what would work best in the community. “She’s been described as very determined, but not driven by ego. She was the mover who really organized and motivated to make things happen.” Coles later became involved with the Lake Park Friends, including serving as its president for eight years. Efforts included fighting to keep the ice skating rink open at Lake Park, the creation of a butterfly garden and “Musical Mondays” concerts. She was also a leading activist with the North Point Lighthouse Friends, which has worked to restore the 120-year-old lighthouse and adjacent quarters. “It all goes back to her life on the farm,” Peter Coles said. “She had a passion for open spaces and preserving

“She was not influenced by political issues. She was beyond that. She was interested in what would work best in the community.” —Jackie Maggiore, former executive director with the Parenting Network

Alpha Delta Mu initiation

new group of social work students was initiated into Alpha Delta Mu, the social work honorary society, on November 4, 2007. Friends and family of the new members of Alpha Delta Mu enjoyed brunch and a brief program, which included a talk by Dr. Michael Fendrich, director of the School’s Center for Addiction and Behavioral Health Research. Following welcomes from Deborah Padgett, chair of the Department of Social Work, and Associate Professor Susan Rose, Fendrich spoke to the initiates about the connection between scientists and social workers. Both are problem-solvers who engage in fact finding, observing behavior and collecting data and who may need to develop a theory to help them solve problems, he said. Social

workers need integrity; they cannot simply accept conventional social wisdom as they work with their clients. Instead, they must look for other theories that can help. “Do not be fooled by other scientists, but speak to other social workers to get new ideas,” he said, stressing the importance of paying attention to the world around us in our work. According to Fendrich, it is important to have an element of doubt as we go about our work. Problem solving means finding out what really happened; then social workers can best help their clients. He noted that success is not about pleasing our superiors but more about challenging our teachers, our superiors and ourselves. “If we go about our life in this way,” he said, quoting the rock group the Who, ‘We won’t get fooled again!’”

Membership in Alpha Delta Mu requires an overall grade point average of 3.5 for undergraduate students who are in their senior year and 3.75 for currently enrolled graduate students who have completed two semesters. The following students met those requirements and were initiated into ADM for 2007: Natasha Anderson Michelle Baemmer Amy Bennett Maren Bourelle Chelsie Brandl Nicole Braun Michelle Cornwell Jamie Cox Sandra Crafton Nadia Czarniak Crystal Fiene Kathryn Franher Miho Fujii Rebecca Geppert Andrea Gromoske Lindsay Grooms Kathryn Hamm Catherine Harrison Jennifer HernandezMeier

Megan Higgins Joanna Hopefl Sarah Jungwirth Elizabeth Katz Rachel Kelbert Margaret Knulty Lynette Larsen Jessic Linberts Jane Mackey Brittney Neidhardt Emilie Klusmeyer O-Connor Kelly Ohme Adetoun Omole Janet Patterson Madeline Payton Amy Plettner Jennifer Ramirez Sara Rauch

Amy Roeper Suzanne Roundy-Schmidt Alauna Ruble Dianne Schaller Kristin Scheel Alyssa Schroeder Elizabeth Schultz Nichole Sherman Lara Shoemaker Carolina Solarte Lucia Stubbs Kristy Tweedy Corrie Warning Brenda Wells Tiffany Ware Kathleen Wolfgram Amy Yellick Jessica Zimmerman

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Thank you for your support! Dean Stan Stojkovic, the faculty, staff and students of the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare offer a sincere “thank you” to the following individuals for showing their support of the School by making financial contributions between August 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008. To add your name to our list of supporters, please return the pledge form located in the middle of InterActions. If we have inadvertently omitted your name from the list, please contact Linda Czernicki at 414.229.6329.

Gifts of $5,000 or more Helen Bader Foundation, Inc. Ramapo Trust Stan Stojkovic Northwestern Mutual Foundation

Gifts of $1,0004,999 Arrowhead Regional Development Commission Aurora Health Care, Inc. Don and Helen Banta The Banta Revocable Living Trust Adrienne Ahlgren Haeuser Gwat Yong Lie and Steven L. McMurtry Julia M. Malooly ’67 Karen A. Morauski ’83

Gifts of $400-999 Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Appel ’82 Kristine M. Larson-Beidel ’96 and Chris Beidel Robert W. Blazich ’71 Mary E. Filosa Brown ’84 and Richard T. Brown Carol M. Goerke, J.D., ’73 Adrienne Ahlgren Haeuser Sharon M. Keigher David J. Pate, Jr. Robin Hagopian Tucker ’79 and David G. Tucker ’79

Gifts of $250-499 Bank of America Foundation Martha A. Degraw ’81 Barbara Lee Hufschmidt ’79 James M. Johnson ’74 Goldie Kadushin and Steven H. Morrison Thomas J. Margetta ’94 Cynthia G. Schneider ’69 Courtney Lamar Sinclair ’05

Gifts of $100-249 J. Gail Adler, ’83 Mr. and Mrs Kurt R. Baker ’77 Denita Ball ’03 Jeannine H. Baver ’73 Mr. and Mrs. Dan Beers Barbara A. Bigler ’82

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Joyce Duran-Black and David A. Black Mr. and Mrs. James A. Brown Timothy G. Burkee ’88 Thomas F. Callan ’81 Andrew J. Cieslewicz ’06 Jennifer Clearwater Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Collin Linda Combes ’69 Thomas J. Cook ’65 Mr. and Mrs. Louie V. Crisostomo Crystal Bay Enterprises, Inc. Linda L. Czernicki Dean Thomas Peck Consulting Diane E. DePanfilis ’82 Mary Walker Dillmann ’07 Christopher P. Ellerd ’70 Todd K. Elmer ’79 Mr. and Mrs. Dale E. Faesi ’71 Randall R. Klumb and Sarah J. Ford ’73 Jean D. Gilman ’77 Mr. and Mrs. Wolfgang Grundner ’72 F. Marvin Hannah, Sr. ’70 Roberta Jean Hanus Diane L. Harris ’82 Ian Harris and Sara Spence Debra D. Hietala ’78 Kristin A. Jensen ’91 Gretchen A. Kapperman ’01 Kenwood United Methodist Church Dean M. Kirst ’81 Mr. and Ms. Robert D. Klika ’83 Jordan Kosberg ’67 and Juanita Garcia Wendy E. Kosikowski ’82 Ms. and Ms. Loren M. Kreider Robert L. Lewein ’60 Frederick J. Locke ’54 Mr. and Mrs. Moreau MacCaughey ’60 Mary T. Madden ’88 James T. Mart, ’76 M. Kathleen Masch ’78 Margaret F. McCarthy Richard R. Melvin ’75 Mr. and Mrs. Todd D. Merryfield NAPGCM-Midwest Chapter Jeanne Wagner Newton Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Ordinans ’78

Dean T. Peck ’77 Susan M. Perry ’79 Deborah Peterman Counseling, LLC Deborah M. Peterman, ’91 Anna L. Plea, ’9 Patricia J. Skibinsk ’87 and Barbara A. Moore Erick Van Slamka ’75 Barbara J. Slauter ’98 Marion Sobieski ’77 Jane M. Steingraeber ’73 Milan Stojkovic ’00 Ann B. Terwilliger ’81 Mr. and Mrs. Jon J. Thorsen ’95 Vincent J. Vitale ’98 Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Voelz, ’69 Curtis L. Washington ’71 Allison L Zarse ’94

Gifts of $1-99 Sally S. Ali ’77 Nathan James Allen ’96 Joseph G. Amrhein Catherine H. Arney ’84 and Sabley Sabin ’87 Karen E. Baird ’64 Mr. and Ms. Richard L. Barry David J. Lorenz and Georgia A. Becker ’76 Carol A. Beckerleg ’86 Pamela V. Beckman, ’89 Thomas M. Bekker, ’88 Mr. and Ms. Christopher Bennett Lisa K. Berger ’98 and Kevin P. Tucker ’01 Ira M. Berkowitz ’74 Willie L. Bethune ’79 Laura A. Bidlack Erik E. Bieck William Mayrl and Robin Bieger-Mayrl ’73 Charles P. Biever ’96 Anthony L. Billman ’96 Mr. and Mrs. Jay R. Blankenship ’87 Christina Elizabeth Bond ’06 Laurie E. Boone ’87 Patricia A. Bonnet ’75 Kathleen L. Boyle ’69 Julie A. Braun ’95 Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Brown ’64 Rachel Ann Brugman ’05

Rosemary Brunetto ’83 Janice M. Brylow ’78 Kathleen A. Callaghan ’81 Jeannine A. Campbell David W. Carlson ’62 Patricia A. Carmody ’67 Mr. and Ms. James W. Carter III ’99 Michael Chmielewski ’76 Sandra D. Chojnacki ’86 Benon M. Chomicki ’07 Jennifer K. Cicero Steve J. Cincotta ’89 Mrs. Art Clark ’63 Mr. and Mrs. Edward G. Clark Stephen Hargarten and Janis Cohn ’81 Debra J. Coon ’93 Mr. and Ms. David W. Cory ’93 Creative Living Environments, Inc. J. Sheppard Crumrine ’99 and Mary Bednarik Amy Jane Culver ’07 Joan Dahlke ’63 Gary P. Grajczyk and Joanne M. Damico-Grajczyk ’81 Suzanne M. Dane ’71 Susan L. Davis ’77 Renee Hanna Davison ’95 Tracy Vannette Davis-Wright ’07 Charles E. Degeneffe ’90 Kaelin Marie Deprez ’05 Mary E. DeVita ’77 John W. Williams, III and Ramona L. DicksWilliams ’84 Gabriela Dieguez ’04 Jed M. Dolnick ’78 William D. Dosemagen ’76 and Robin Ahrens Mr. and Mrs. Lucas J. Doxtater Johanna G. Duckert ’70 Katherine Durben ’92 Kathleen S. Gale and Rev. James A. Durnil ’87 Mr. and Mrs. Alexander P. Durtka, Jr. ’73 Gail Dustin ’81 Margaret S. Edwards ’82 Mr. Reginald G. Effinger ’04 Keith A. Eichler ’79 Steven D. Eigen ’68 Olivia El-Amin and Saleem El Amin ’74

Melissa A. Emberts ’89 Craig L. Emperley, Jr. ’93 Craig A. Engle ’76 Maxine C. Erby ’99 Carol L. Esser-Kivlin ’76 Christine Therese Falkowski ’99 Jerianne L. Feiten ’89 David R. Fenner ’89 Mr. and Mrs. David R. Feury ’71 Judith M. Fillmore ’80 Donna J. Foote ’04 Carla J. Franklin ’74 Cheryl L. Frey ’00 Craig Alexander Fries ’05 Mr. and Mrs. Gerard J. Froh ’78 Ms. Susan C. Garny ’74 R. James Genrich ’76 Kurt S. Goeckermann ’95 Mariellen Goldberg Jean A. Golner ’81 Dorothy B. Gore ’66 Karen L. Gorske ’76 Katherine K. Graf ’79 Lois L. Graff ’00 Terry L. Gray ’78 Mary Grace Green ’90 Rev. Ernestine Griffin ’69 Mr. and Mrs. Ken J. Grob Polewski Carol A. Grob Nichole F. Grube ’97 Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Guernsey ’55 David W. Hanig ’74 Gerald W. Hanson Mr. Thomas J. Harmon ’76 Ms. Elizabeth J. Hartman ’84 Felicia D. Hayden ’97 Ernest A. Herre ’63 Gary Warren Hoffman ’89 Nancy Marie Hoffmann ’95 Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey L. Holmes Donald A. Holub ’56 John F. Horngren ’62 Timothy and Kathryn Huibregtse ’93 Mary A. Hunter, ’95 Kathleen Hurley ’75 Margaret A. Hyson ’67 Trina M. Jackson-Buck ’82 Deborah M. Jacobs,’77 Jeffery Johnson ’69 Ms. Terri L. Kading-Wheeler ’89 Carla F. Kaminski ’89 Mr. Christopher N. Keadle ’81 Carolyn C. Keith ’67 Marcia S. Kircher ’78 Joseph J. Kleiber ’72 Georgeann M. Knier ’01 Mrs. Carol Knight ’79 Diane M. Knight, ’70

Bonnie J. Knippel ’91 Dione M. Knop ’90 Elizabeth Kokalis Melissourgos ’85 James W. Koleas ’82 Molly J. Koranda ’97 Mr. and Ms. Dale J. Kostelnik ’80 Debra K. Koval ’79 Ms. Susan A. Krebs ’76 Mary J. Kressin, ’95 Sandra M. Krueer ’06 Kruglak Family Fund Ms. Fredlyn Kruglak-Viel ’72 and Mr. John Viel Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Kubacki, Jr. ’84 Mr. and Mrs. David A. Kucej ’73 Joseph W. Kumbera Jr. ’83 Ellen M. Kupfer, ’82 William J. Labine ’00 Lu Ann Lach Melissa Rose Lach ’04 Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Laessig ’76 Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Lance Patricia M. Lancour ’99 Marcia Larson ’71 Cynthia L. Leclair 81 Ms. Janet C. Lemke ’76 Elizabeth M. Lentz Mr. and Mrs. Dominic Leone ’76 Charles P. Libal ’94 Joseph A. Liberto ’52 Peter J. Lieven ’79 Carol A. Liesenfelder ’79 Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Luehring ’74 Mr. and Mrs. James Lustig ’71 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Luzinski ’89 M. Donald Lybeck and Linda J. Laatsch-Lybeck Mr. and Ms. Bruce R. Maas Jacqueline R. Maggiore ’66 Patricia A. Makens ’69 Mr. and Mrs. Patrick K. Malloy ’73 Michael D. Manowski, ’72 Anna R. Marron ’91 Patricia B. Mauel ’84 Charlotte D. Mayfield ’05 Julie M. Mayhew ’95 Jill E. McCarthy ’89 Mr. and Mrs. Norm W. McLure ’75 David A. McClurg and Susan Koppa McClurg ’88 Andrew R. McManus ’69 Mr. and Mrs. Mark McQuide ’77 Robert P. Mendyk, Sr. ’80 Kenneth H. Menting ’68 Dorothy M. Mereen, ’70

Maureen H. Minard ’75 Debbie L. Mitchell ’77 Craig R. Modahl ’99 Mr. and Mrs. Allan James Mogg, Jr. Robert T. Mohr, ’67 Carol A. Ciesielski Moore ’71 Mr. and Mrs. Walt A. Morzy ’70 Mrs. Teresa Mueller ’68 Rosalie A. Mutchler ’97 Winifred A. Nathan ’76 Helen L. Navarre ’60 Sonja J. Nelson-Gurda ’80 and John A. Gurda Mary Diane Neubauer ’06 James S. Neuser ’66 Mrs. Mary K. Nimmer ’91 Daniel W. Nolan ’78 Joseph E. Olsen ’75 Scott L. Olstad ’80 Therese A. Palazzari ’77 Bruce C. Peterson ’66 Greg I. Peterson ’80 John R. Petrusek ’93 Heather L. Pfeifer ’95 John H. Phelps ’73 Ronald J. Philleo, ’93 Wayne J. Poburka ’95 Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth T. Ponec ’83 Jeanette B.K. Poole ’83 Jane Gebel Prentice Laura L. Price ’81 Curtis L. Reid ’77 Angela Marie Rivera ’07 Dorothy Anne Roberson ’97 Celene Mary Robinson ’87 Scott W. Rohde ’85 Susan J. Rose Mrs. Susan K. Saeger ’78 Stephen A. Basquill and Anne M. Sakolsky-Basquill ’73 Lisa M. Salamone ’06 Barbara Salfer-Larson ’80 Mr. and Mrs. Larrell C. Saunders ’77 Calley J. Savage ’89 Michael and Linda Scheible ’79 Lisa M. Schelble ’07 Beverly J. Schilz Mr. and Mrs. David J. Schmidt ’71 Christine M. Schneider ’93 Thomas R. Schneider ’75 Mr. and Mrs. Peter W. Schuler ’74 Mari J. Scicero ’80 Arthur R. Shavzin ’58 Mr. and Mrs. John J. Shaw ’90 Mary V. Shelley ’64

Claire M. Siebold ’75 Nancy E. Sinclair ’73 Martha A. Skruby ’85 Tammy Marie Slayton ’89 John A. Sliga ’76 Shelly L. Smith-Payant ’94 Thomas J. Snieg ’93 Stephanie Sue Stein Barbara L. Stohl ’80 Judith J. Strauss ’64 Victoria M. Streich ’96 Jeffrey J. Sturm ’83 Mr. and Ms. Thomas Tamsett ’90 Mr. and Mrs. James F. Tapscott Jennifer M. Teffer ’77 Janet F. Tenge ’69 Stanley and Judith Teplin ’69 Brian J. Theiler ’82 Thomas Paul & Mary Helen Luzinski Trust Barbara A. Tice Lawrence C. Tice ’67 Michele L. Tietyen ’88 Judith Z. Tolkan Jose Torres ’72 and Miriam Oliensis-Torres ’81 Wendy J. Tupper ’72 Margo Ulrich ’85 Mary C. Umhoefer ’79 Trisha Urbaniak ’83 Mr. and Ms. Donald J. Utech ’93 David E. Vandermale ’74 Debra J. A. Vash ’89 Carol A. Wacker ’72 Ruth M. Wagner ’02 Sarah L. Wagner ’88 Cheryl A. Walker-Lloyd ’87 Janice C. Watts ’63 Mr. and Ms. Donald F. Weber ’78 Jo A. Weigandt ’91 Natcole S. West ’05 Marlene J. Widen ’76 Mr. and Mrs. David L. Wiesen Richard J. Wilson Wisconsin Energy Corporation Foundation, Inc. Todd A. Witt ’96 Pamela M. Witter ’86 Mr. and Mrs. Gene A. Wright ’79 Mr. and Mrs. David J. Wurster ’88 Jane Alice Young ’06 Terry M. Young ’84 Linda M. Zik ’87 Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Zimmerman ’90

FALL 2008 interactions

Scholarships awarded The Helen Bader School of Social Welfare is pleased to announce the following scholarship recipients for Fall 2008: Kari Blake, Jamie Carollo and Sheryl Dean (MSW ’08) were recipients of the Helen C. Carey Award, presented to students who have demonstrated their potential to make a contribution to the profession of social work in the mental health field. Paul Smith and Kara Schurman were awarded the Yolanda Vega-Will/Alumni Scholarship, presented to students who have demonstrated an ability to successfully pursue their education despite difficult circumstances. Rashonda Spencer received the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors Youth Foundation Scholarship, awarded to students who have demonstrated an interest in working with youth and who have demonstrated innovative approaches to solving the problems of youth. Stephanie Sikinger and Bryan Bubolz are recipients of the Robert L. Stonek Criminal Justice Award, given to criminal justice students who have demonstrated academic excellence and professional potential in the field of criminal justice.

Congratulations to all of our scholarship winners for your fine academic achievements and dedication to your chosen professions!

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Brian Flynn and Jaymes Flynn received the Audrey Laatsch Scholarship, given to undergraduate social work students who have demonstrated their interest in working with the emotionally disturbed. Amanda O’Donnell is this year’s recipient of the Don and Helen Banta Scholarship, awarded to an M.S.W. student who has expressed an interest in a career in clinical social work and who clearly demonstrates his/her educational objectives and career goals.

Alisha Serwe received the Lucetta Bissell Scholarship, presented to a female M.S.W. student who has demonstrated leadership and excellence in practice. Ka Xiong received the Catherine S. Chilman Family Studies Award, given to a master’s-level social work student who has demonstrated an interest in and commitment to family studies. Jamie Dax received the Harry and Esther Kovenock Award, presented to senior social work students who have demonstrated high academic achievement. Joanne Anderson was awarded the Kathleen Scheller Memorial Scholarship, presented by the family of Kathleen Scheller (BSW ’72, MSW ’83) to recognize a returning nontraditionalage female student in social work. Juana Dorger received the Laura Tice Memorial Scholarship, presented by friends of Laura Tice (BSW ’89) to a nontraditional social work student who has demonstrated academic achievement. Tice was a 1989 graduate of the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare’s undergraduate social work program. The money to fund the scholarship was donated by her friends to honor her and to recognize a nontraditional student currently enrolled in the program. Robyn Boettner was awarded the Social Welfare Community Organization Scholarship, presented to a female social work student who has demonstrated active participation in community-centered programs.

People & Programs Associate Professor Rick Lovell and Dean Stan Stojkovic were interviewed about their research into minority incarceration rates for a March 21, 2008 article in the Wisconsin State Journal on the state’s decreasing juvenile arrest rates over the past decade. Stojkovic attended a week-long session on drug court planning in Portland, Ore., to assist Milwaukee County in its efforts to implement a drug court. The Helen Bader School of Social Welfare serves as an evaluator for the drug court initiative. Stojkovic was interviewed by the History Channel in March for a new series called “Gangland” about U.S. street gangs. In addition, he was a guest on Wisconsin Public Radio “At Issue with Ben Merens” on Feb. 20 to discuss violence in America and how society reacts to it, and on its Ideas Network on March 27 debating whether college students should be allowed to carry concealed weapons on the nation’s campuses. In addition, Stojkovic served as chair of the UWM Campus Safety Task Force, a group formed by Chancellor Carlos Santiago to deliver a Campus Safety Report and to review several safety measures recently put into place. He is also serving as a co-chair of this year’s UWM Gives to UWM campaign.

Domestic Violence” in Sacramento Calif., in Feb. 2008. The conference was cosponsored by the Family Violence Treatment and Education Association and the California Alliance for Families and Children Post-doctoral Fellow Andrew M. Muriuki presented “Impact of Crime in AfricanAmerican Neighborhoods on Health Disparities” at the NIH Professional Development Workshop for Diversity Investigators held March 3-4 in Washington, D.C. He also presented “The Role of Household Environment on Health Outcomes for Female Adolescents in Kenya” at the Population Association of America’s annual meeting in New Orleans in April 2008 and at the 20th National Symposium on Doctoral Research in Social Work in Columbus Ohio, in April 2008. Assistant Professor Laura Otto-Salaj presented “Epidemiology of Alcohol and Drug Use’ and “Alcohol and Other Drug Use in Women” at the “Maternal Substance Abuse: Impact on Child Well-Being” conference, Washington County Department of Social Services, held in Slinger, Wis., in Feb. 2008.

C.J. Erickson, undergraduate criminal justice student, was one of several student legal volunteers working with the University Legal Clinic. The Clinic, which offers free, confidential advice, is run by UWM students for UWM students. The volunteers offer lease and contract reviews; advice on traffic, underage-drinking and noise-violation tickets; and referrals to other low-cost organizations that can help students.

Associate Professor Susan J. Rose was interviewed on WUWM’s “UWM Today” show on January 27, 2008, about the Women and Jails Project. Rose also presented “Intersection of Child Protection and Substance Abuse and Innovations in Screening, Engagement and Treatment Approaches with Substance Using Women” at the “Maternal Substance Abuse: Impact on Child Well-Being” conference, Washington County Department of Social Services held in Slinger, Wis., in Feb. 2008.

Professor Audrey Begun and Associate Professor Susan J. Rose presented “Qualitative Study Addressing Substance Abuse Concerns Facing Women in Jail and at Community Re-entry” at the Society for Social Work and Research annual meeting in Washington, D.C., in Jan. 2008.

Associate Researcher Barbara TeskeYoung presented “Substance Abuse and Incarcerated Women” at the “Maternal Substance Abuse: Impact on Child Well-Being” conference, Washington County Department of Social Services held in Slinger, Wis., in Feb. 2008.

Professor Steve McMurty, Associate Professor Susan J. Rose, and Assistant Professors Mike Brondino and Josh Mersky presented “Refining the Prediction of Turnover Risk in Child Welfare Workers” at the Society for Social Work and Research annual meeting in Washington, D.C., in January 2008.

Director of Social Work Field Education Jeanne Wagner, presented “Risk Management Issues in Child Welfare” and “Effective Strategies to Maximize the Child Welfare Supervisory Experience” at the sixth annual Mississippi Child Welfare Institute conference in Feb. 2008 in Jackson, Miss.

Professor R. L. McNeely presented “Reflections on Racial Differences in Perceptions of Domestic Violence” at the conference “From Ideology to Inclusion: Evidence-Based Policy and Intervention in

Clinical Associate Professor Roberta Hanus presented “Between Heaven and Earth: The Intersection of Spirituality and Social Work” at the Arizona Project for Spirituality and Social Work, Jan. 25-26, 2008, at Arizona State University, Tucson.

Assistant Professor Thomas P. LeBel presented “An Examination of the Impact of Formerly Incarcerated Persons Helping Others” as part of the occasional Series on Re-entry Research at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Prisoner Re-entry Institute, on April 18 in New York, N.Y. He presented “The Use of Advocacy as a Coping Orientation by Formerly Incarcerated Persons in the Re-entry Process” at the annual meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences held March 13, 2008 in Cincinnati, Ohio. LeBel and Shadd Maruan presented “Formerly Incarcerated Persons’ Forecasts of Rearrest: An Examination of Optimistic, Pessimistic and Realistic Views of Success” at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology held Nov. 2007, in Atlanta, Ga. Additionally, LeBel, with Professor Audrey Begun and Associate Professor Susan Rose, presented “What About Us?” Addressing Women’s Substance Abuse Problems in Jail and During Community Re-entry” at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology held in Nov. 2007 in Atlanta, Ga. Professor Sharon Keigher published “Consumer Direction in an Ownership Society: An Emerging Pardigm for Home and Community Care in the United States,” Chapter 8, pp. 155-186, in Cash for Care in Developed Welfare States, C. Ungerson and S. Yeandel, eds., New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007; and “Informal Caregivers and Caregiving: Living at Home with Personal Care,” pp. 105-132 in Handbook of Long Term Care Administration and Policy, Cynthia M. Mara and Laura Katz Olson, eds., Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2008. Assistant Professor Thomas P. LeBel published “Perceptions of and Responses to Stigma” in Sociology Compass, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2008, pp 409-432; and with Ros Burnett, Shadd Maruna and Shawn Bushway, “The ’Chicken and Egg’ of Subjective and Social Factors in Desistance from Crime,” European Journal of Criminology, Vol. 5, No. 2, 2008, pp. 130-158. Professor R. L. McNeely and Assistant Professor David J. Pate published “Neighborhood Convenience Stores and Drug Paraphernalia: One Community’s Response,” pp 491-500 in Strategies of Community Intervention, Vol. 7, J. Rothman, J.L. Erlich and J.E. Tropman, eds., 2008. Clinical Associate Professor Katie Mangan presented “Tibetan Dilemmas: continued on next page FALL 2008 interactions

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Trauma, Dharma, Assimilation and Nationalism within the United States Diaspora Settlements” at the 8th International Conference on Diversity in Organisations, Communities and Nations in Toronto, Canada. She gave presentations on the same topic for the Department of Anthropology at McGill University and the Department of Social Sciences at the University of Montreal in Montreal, Canada, in June 2008. Alex Nelson, criminal justice student, was recognized as a Scholar-Athlete with Distinction by the UWM Athletic Department based on his academic achievements. To achieve this recognition, athletes must have achieved at least a 3.5 grade point average for the spring 2007 and/or fall 2007 semester. Associate Professor Steve Brandl continues his role as a member of the City of Milwaukee Homicide Review Commission. He presented “Point of Sale Characteristics of Felons’, Juveniles’, and Other Offenders Guns” at the American Society of Criminology meeting in Atlanta, Ga., in Nov. 2007. With Associate Professors Rick Lovell and Will Pelfrey, Brandl serves as co-principal investigator on “Safe SchoolsHealthy Students,” a project involving a four-year evaluation of numerous antiviolence initiatives in the Milwaukee Public Schools (see story on p. 4). Assistant Professor David Pate was nominated and selected for membership in the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI). The NASI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization made up of the nation’s leading experts on social insurance. Social insurance is a broad description for

an entitlement program such as social security, workmen’s compensation or unemployment insurance, programs developed as a means to prevent poverty. The mission of NASI is to promote understanding and informed policymaking on social insurance and related programs through research, public education, training and the open exchange of ideas. Pate also received a UWM Cultures and Communities grant to conduct an ethnographic video on black males in the city of Milwaukee. The title of the research is “Giving Voice to Black Men: An Examination of Poverty and Resiliency.” Pate is working with six UWM undergraduate students and training them to interview and collect oral histories using video and audio recording. A Universitywide presentation is planned in spring 2009. Pate served as co-chair (with Dr. Tricia Goodley, Howard University) of the Social and Economic Justice Committee of the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) and was appointed to the State Health Planning Commission for the Public Health Council for the State of Wisconsin. He also was a guest on Milwaukee Public Television’s “4th Street Forum” for a segment on the violence of poverty, which aired January 11 and 13, 2008. Assistant Professor Kimberly Hassell, with Jennifer Manis and Carol A. Archbold, published “Educating the Police: Exploring the Impact of Criminal Justice Degrees and Officer Education Level on Allegations of Police Misconduct,” International Journal of Police Administration and Management (forthcoming 2008). A forthcoming publication is “Complaints of

Police Misconduct: Are There Differences Between Male and Female Officers?” in Women and Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement Executive Forum, with Lindsey Bergeron and Carol A. Archbold (forthcoming). She also published “Variation in Police Patrol Practices: The Precinct as a Sub-Organizational Level of Analysis” in Policing: International Journal of Police Strategies and Management, 30(2):257-276, 2007. This paper was awarded the “Highly Commended Award” at the Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence 2008. Carolyn Bucior joined the School this past fall semester as our marketing specialist. She is a journalist (University of Illinois, ’81) with 25 years of experience in writing for educational institutions, healthcare institutions and the general press. She has twice won first-place feature writing awards from the Milwaukee Press Club and has been published in the Chicago Tribune, Parenting, Redbook, Milwaukee Magazine and more. For her solid and engaging healthcare writing, she earned an Award of Excellence from Wisconsin Hospital Public Relations and Marketing Society. When she’s not at UWM, Bucior works as a freelance writer, podcaster and substitute K-12 teacher. As a volunteer, she launched two annual — and profitable — family events for the Shorewood schools and the village’s recreation department.

Grants & Research Awards Dean Stan Stojkovic: $31,647 and $20,000 from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Washington, D.C., for Collaboration with High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). Profession Rhonda J. Montgomery: $240,000 from the Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago, Ill., for Assessing a Protocol to Strategically Support Family Caregivers; $55,000 from the Georgia Dept. of Human Resources (p/c DHHS, AOA) Atlanta, Ga., for Alzheimer’s Disease Demonstration Grants to States (ADDGS) Program. Professor Gwat-Yong Lie: $4,310 from the Wisconsin Department of Health and

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Family Services (p/c DHHS, ACF), Madison, Wis., for Introducing Training Teams (UWM Child Welfare Training Partnership for Professional Development); and $553,000 from the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services for Foster Parent Training Program 2008. Professor Michael Fendrich: $207,269 from the National Institutes of Health for Secondary Analysis of Substance Use in Men. Assistant Professor Lisa Berger: $15,663.63 from Aurora Health Care, Milwaukee, Wis., for Acamprosate Treatment of Alcohol Dependence in a

Family Medical Setting: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Professor Steve McMurtry and Assistant Professor Susan J. Rose: Combined Schools of Social Work, $4,000; Center for Creative Play, $6,000; LaCausa $8,000; Wraparound, $5,090, Madison, Wis., for Long Term Child Welfare Training. Associate Professor Rick Lovell: $129,760 from Milwaukee Public Schools Grant Program Evaluators for RFP 464 Safe Schools/Healthy Students.

Grad named 2007 social worker of the year numerous homeless families with household items. Pollock has been instrumental in helping parents navigate the different medical health systems to support better understanding of student and family needs. Due to her extensive networking with community agency personnel, Pollock has been influential in getting support for parents from healthcare organizations.

Cathleen Pollock 2007 School Social Worker of the Year

athleen Pollock (MSW ’00), school social worker at the Phillis Wheatley elementary School in the Milwaukee Public School system, was named the 2007 School Social Worker of the Year by the Wisconsin School Social Workers Association. According to the article in the WSSWA’s newsletter, Pollock has demonstrated excellence in the practice of school social work, with particular expertise in soliciting school and community support to meet the basic needs of families in the Milwaukee Public School System. Pollock operates an emergency clothing closet, food pantry and Christmas donation drive within her school. She has garnered community support to donate and assist on a daily basis at the closet, especially serving

She has also been instrumental in fulfilling the mental health and community services gap in her community, particularly providing services that are sensitive to ethnic populations. In partnership with the school psychologist, she has provided family support, offered support groups on depression and located resources to address addiction issues. Because Pollock has established such a sense of trust within her community, families often help other families and also try to give back to the school. She has been instrumental in organizing and facilitating the Sister-toSister and Brother-to-Brother support programs, which include weekly meetings, mentors, guest speakers and leadership challenges. She has also presented workshops on these programs. In addition to services to students and families, she participates on the Problem Solving Core and Intervention teams, supervises graduate students and serves as a HBSSW mentor in MPS. She has also served as WSSWA Treasurer since 2000. Colleagues have noted Pollock’s significant professionalism, which has earned her high respect from school staff, families and social work peers. Although her job requirements are

“Cathleen lives the values of the social work profession.” —Professor Wendy Volz-Daniels

completed in a professional and thorough manner, it is her “extras” that set her apart from others, the article said. “She goes above and beyond usual SW expectations and is creative in her approach with students and families,” the article said. Her principal, Edith Bivens, recognized her most important quality in supporting kids: she provides positive role modeling and has a gift for de-escalating youth in crisis situations. Pollock is also able to break down barriers with “tough or inaccessible” parents. The families and students at her school often have extreme socioeconomic concerns and face the impact of neighborhood violence daily. Her actions on behalf of these students and families have increased student attendance, academics, parent involvement and safety in the neighborhood. Bivens stated that Cathleen is truly an asset to the total community. Clinical Assistant Professor Wendy Volz-Daniels, who served as Pollock’s field liaison, recalls that Cathleen was always committed to making a difference for children and families who face the daily challenges of poverty, oppression and other injustices. “Cathleen lives the values of the social work profession,” commented Volz-Daniels.

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Photo: left to right, Michael Fendrich, Dean Stojkovic, Mohamed Sharkawy.

P.O. Box 786 Milwaukee, WI 53201

Dr. Mohamed Kamel Sharkawy spent the 2007-08 academic year at UWM as a visiting research scholar in the HBSSWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center for Addiction and Behavioral Health Research. Sharkawy is an assistant professor of social work at Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt. His government sponsorship allowed him to come to the U.S. and pursue his research. He was interested in working with CABHR because of his interest in substance and prevention; he is particularly interested in the effectiveness of group counseling programs among rural families affected by drug abuse. Michael Fendrich, director of CABHR, served as Sharkawyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mentor, and CABHR provided research support for him. Sharkawy was honored with a small reception and received a certificate of appreciation before his return to Egypt in May.

NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID MILWAUKEE, WI PERMIT NO 864

Milwaukee police chief Edward Flynn was invited to meet with members of the HBSSW on March 24 to discuss his policing philosophy and ways he and the faculty can work together.