UNC Charlotte School of Social Work Year in Review 2017-2018

THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK YEAR IN REVIEW SNAPSHOT 2017-2018

UNC CHARLOTTE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR As the calendar year draws to a close, I am pleased to share with you a snapshot of a few milestones met during the last academic year at UNC Charlotte School of Social Work.

Established in the 1970s as a concentration within the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, we were excited to transition to a School of Social Work in 2015. We have continued to grow, solidifying a mission to prepare future social work professionals for leadership in areas of culturally-informed, community-engaged practice, policy, and research, with a particular emphasis on persistent and emerging social problems in rapidly diversifying urban areas locally, nationally, and globally.

As you explore the first edition of our annual publication, you will see our faculty, staff, students, and alumni leading on the front lines of critical social matters.

Here's to another great year ahead, working with and supporting our community partners.

Best, Schnavia

"THE UNC CHARLOTTE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK RANKED AMONG THE TOP 25% OF GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAMS"

The UNC Charlotte School of Social Work is ranked among the top 25% of all graduate school social work programs. nationally, according to the 2018-2019 U.S. News and World Report.

“The upward trend in national rankings is a testament to our mission to prepare social work leaders in areas of culturally-informed, community engaged practice, policy, and research, with a particular emphasis on persistent and emerging social problems in rapidly diversifying urban areas" said Director Dr.Schnavia Hatcher.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS & FIELD EDUCATION THE BACHELORS OF SOCIAL WORK (BSW) PROGRAM

THE MASTERS OF SOCIAL WORK (MSW) PROGRAM

The Bachelors of Social Work Program, established 1989, is preparing to celebrate its 20th Anniversary. 247 students are enrolled in the BSW program. The BSW Program began the Social Work Honors Program established in 2018, providing undergraduate students an opportunity to become more involved in community-based research projects.

The MSW Program has steadily grown. We began a Hybrid Part-time program to meet the needs of the community and support workforce development. It is the largest MSW enrollment since the program began in 2000. 177 Students are enrolled in the MSW program

118 Upper Division (Junior and Seniors)

129 Lower Division (Freshmen & Sophomores)

The BSW Honors Program, established Fall 2018 includes:

15 Seniors

11 Juniors

BSW STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Brittany Anderson

26 (1-year Advanced Standing)

97 (2-year Full Time)

54 (3-Year Hybrid Program)

MSW STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Kaylyn Daniels

Dr. Suzanne Boyd (left) with student, Brittany Anderson (Right)

The Charlotte Research Scholar Program (CRSP) gives undergraduate students a unique opportunity to gain research experience in their interest of study. Anderson, a member of the Social Work Honors Program, was looking for an opportunity to gain research experience when she applied to the program. She centered her research around an untapped area of pediatric onset multiple sclerosis, examining it from a social work point of view with the help her mentor, Dr. Suzanne Boyd, an Associate Professor of School Work. Anderson has obtained her Registered Behavioral Technician Certification, allowing her the opportunity to practice behavioral therapy for children with autism.

STUDENT CENTERED FIELD EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. Each year, the university assigns students to complete field education requirements. We have approximately 200 affiliation agreements with community agencies and organizations. BSW and MSW students completed internships in urban and rural settings, serving over 100,000 community hours annually.

Masters of Social Work student Kaylyn Daniels is the North Carolina National Association of Social Workers Student liaison. A HRSA Scholar, she is passionate about mental health particularly among African American youth and families. Recently, Kaylyn presented on "The Superwoman Schema: Investigating Perceptions of Strength, Stress, and Health Outcomes among African American Women' at the Black Mental Health Symposium.

A Total of 200 Social work interns are currently placed and supervised in our communities.

22 interns are placed at the Department of Social Services supporting child and adult services across 5 counties.

18 of those interns are receiving the Child Welfare Education Collaborative of NC Certificate.

16 Students are in the pipeline for School Social Work Licensure.

11 are employment- based placements 18 new agencies this year, including private practices, new school systems, and non-profit agencies.

INNOVATION COMMUNITY ENGAGED RESEARCH AND SERVICE A new initiative, Race and Social Equity (RASE) Academy, was established this year 2018. The RASE Academy fosters the scholarship of practice and research focused on advancing racial and social parities within the community. Along with the scholarship, Toolkit Forums and Workshops will be hosted with partners, bringing together thought leaders in our community representing a variety of perspectives on race and social equity issues.

Our first Race and Equity Forum Discussion was held this fall and was facilitated by Teddy McDaniel President and CEO of the Urban League of Central Carolinas. Four panel members presented; Atrium Health, NAACP Charlotte Chapter, The Urban Education collaborative and the School of Social Work. RASE Academy supports projects that promote culturally responsive approaches that optimize human and community well-being.

STUDENT SUPPORT The UNC Charlotte School of Social Work received a $1.8 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2017 to expand integrated care practices across the Charlotte Region awarded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a sub agency of HHS. The grant supports improved access to behavioral health services through high levels of collaboration between social work, nursing, medicine and other health care providers. Dr. Shanti Kulkarni, associate professor of social work, is leading efforts to train students and practitioners in integrated care practices.

The School of Social work received a $2 million federal grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to provide scholarships for graduate students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities who are preparing for careers in behavioral health care. The grant funding assisted in launching the Charlotte Regional Integrated Behavioral Health Scholars (CRIBHS) Program. Participants in the Behavioral Health Scholars Program will earn a graduate degree in clinical social work (Master of Social Work). The first group of 25 scholars was selected in the 2016-2017 academic year; 25 additional students will earn full scholarships each year through 2020.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN MALAWI

CHARLOTTE STUDENTS4GIVING PROJECT

For the 8th year Dr. Diana Rowan has led the spring break study abroad course she developed to Malawi in Southeastern Africa. The 3-credit course, entitled Social Development in Africa: NGOs in Malawi, is taught from an antiimperialistic social work lens and involves hands-on service learning in multiple practice settings in Malawi. In Spring 2018, 10 BSW/MSW students participated in the course (photo below).Students raised over $4,000 and collected over 750 lbs. of supplies to use in support of local Malawian social workers at partnering NGOs to invest in programs that they worked in, alongside Malawian social workers.

The Graduate Social Work Association (GSWA)sponsors an annual Students4Giving conference. Previous themes include Race, Power and Privilege, Human Trafficking, and Responding to the Opioid Epidemic.

Charlotte Students4Giving promotes philanthropic learning activities in university classrooms. These activities encourage students to become more engaged in the local community and to contribute to the well-being of the community’s most vulnerable populations.The UNC Charlotte Graduate Social Work Association holds the Charlotte Students4Giving conference each year. The purpose of the conference is to raise money that will be directed to a community agency.

Masters in Social Work (MSW) students who take the School of Social Work’s philanthropy course identify and analyze community needs. Then, they develop requests for proposals, distribute them to agencies with identified needs, collect and evaluate requests for funding, and allocate the award from funds raised by the Charlotte Students4Giving conference.

CHARLOTTE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY SHOWCASE Social work faculty participated in the Charlotte Opportunity Research Showcase. "Ted Talk" presentations focused on how to improve economic opportunity for Charlotte's children, youth, and families UNC Charlotte researchers and non profit partnered to answer critical questions through presentations, performances and exhibits to ensure that their programs have proven, tangible impact. The keynote speaker was Toussaint Romain, Mecklenburg County public defender and community activist.

Dr. Diana Rowan (Left) and study abroad students

FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS & COLLABORATION Terri Matthews and Sonyia Richardson were honored by the Provost for being recognized by graduating seniors as having made the most positive contributions to their education.

CAMPUS/COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Dr. Shanti Kulkarni served on the University’s Outspoken Event Committee, assisting with the evaluation of the annual speaker series showcasing LGBTQ+ speakers and creating a forum for discussion of LGBTQ issues.

Dr. Susan McCarter serves as a partner with Race Matters for Juvenile Justice a collaborative to reduce the disproportionate and disparity outcome for children and families of color in the juvenile justice system.

Dr. Annelise Mennicke served on the Women and Girls Research Alliance through which she co-authored a report on the impacts of violence trauma and abuse on the "Charlotte Girl" and co-planned an interactive, innovative event launching the report.

Dr. Annelise Mennicke also served on the UNC Charlotte Bystander Intervention Working Group and provided input regarding which bystander intervention program the university should select.

Dr. Diana Rowan was appointed as the lead for the Academy for Veteran and Military Health.

Professor Roger Suclupe received the 2017 Accessibility Excellence Award for Outstanding Faculty/Staff, presented by the UNC Charlotte Office of Disability Services.

SONYIA RICHARDSON, LCSW CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AND BSW PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Pictured are Senior Associate Dean Jane Neese, Professor Sonyia Richardson, and SSW Director Schnavia Hatcher.

PARTNERS IN LEARNING In response to a growing Latino population, a new course and field practicum was developed and partnered with The Camino Community Center in Charlotte. Professor Roger Suclupe is bridging the gap between advocacy, outreach, and critical perspectives on social work policy through a new undergraduate and graduate course, Social Work Practice with Latino Communities.

UNC Charlotte collaborated with the University of Kentucky to implement a campus safety survey to all undergraduate students aged 18-24. The project focused on ways to improve prevention and intervention services for students who have experienced violence and/or harassment.

"PARTNERSHIP TRAINS STUDENTS TO PROVIDE TEAM-BASED MENTAL HEALTHCARE TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES" The School of Social Work collaborated with Cardinal Innovations Healthcare to launch Small Business Behavioral Healthcare Week, offering professional development for social work students and practitioners.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 1 in 5 children have experienced a seriously debilitating mental health disorder at least some point in their lives. For school-aged children, these disorders often impact the child’s health, well-being, as well as schools, communities and other systems. Without proper support, the child and family are often left to figure out on their own how to advocate for their needs. Sonyia Richardson, Clinical Assistant Professor and BSW Program Director is on the project. “Our goal is to make sure our students are trained to allow the child and family to serve as experts while enhancing the recovery process for them. “Ultimately, we believe this training helps children and families through this process towards healing.”

PARTICIPATION IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Dr. Schnavia Hatcher served as the Education Working Group coleader for the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare Grand Challenge Smart Decarceration Initiative.

Dr. Shanti Kulkarni was the co-leader for Society for Social Work and Research’s Violence Against Women and Children Conference Cluster/Special Interest Group Dr. Susan McCarter served as Vice President for the National Organization of Forensic Social Work, Vice President.

Professor Sonyia Richardson was reappointed to the Private Practice Speciality Subcommittee by the National Association of Social Workers President.

Dr. Lori Thomas accepted a position with the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute. She is the Director of Research and Faculty Engagement.

Professor Lori Thomas Leads Workshop Examining Solutions to Homelessness

Congratulations to School of Social Work faculty members, Annelise Mennicke, Andrew Reynolds, & Sonyia Richardson, for receiving research grants and for being recognized by the University.

ENGAGEMENT OUR COMMUNITY

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Field Education Award Recipients, April 2018

Dr. Susan McCarter presenting research from the incarcerated young adults study with Katie Bradshaw and Ashley Tatum at the National Organization of Forensic Social Work’s 35th annual conference!

Students are involved in multiple student organizations including the BSW Club, Advocates for Change, and the Graduate School Social Work Association (GSWA). Examples of activities by the BSW Club included: Trunk Or Treat at Reedy Creek Elementary School Greater Charlotte Autism Walk Co-sponsored ‘Getting, Giving, Gathering’ holiday event with College Buddies Toy Drive for Communities in Schools

The Graduate Social Work Association won the Outstanding Graduate Student Organization Award in 2017.

SSW Students at CHHS Donor Reception Oct 2018

We prepare future social work professionals for leadership in areas of culturally-informed, community-engaged practice, policy, and research, with a particular emphasis on persistent and emerging social problems in rapidly diversifying urban areas locally, nationally, and globally.

The UNCC School of Social Work and Advocates For Change hosted a workshop and community networking event entitled, Social Not Silent Workers: Advocating in Your Field.

UNC Charlotte Phi Alpha 2018

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Vision: To Foster Optimal Health and Well-Being, Equal Human Rights, and a Just Society