Social workers will play an important role in Haiti relief efforts

Joanne Caye, MSW

Long before a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti, social workers were already among the countless humanitarian workers and aid organizations attending to the impoverished country’s physical and emotional needs. In the months ahead, these same workers will play an even more vital role as extensive efforts to rebuild shattered infrastructure and lives begin.

Although treating the immediate physical needs of Haiti’s sick and injured remains a top priority, providing needed psychological first aid must also be a part of growing relief efforts and the kind of assistance that social workers are well-equipped to offer, said Joanne Caye, a UNC School of Social Work clinical assistant professor. Research has shown that such mental health assistance, especially within the first four to six weeks of a disaster, can help survivors reduce their chances of developing acute stress and post-traumatic stress disorder, said Caye, co-author of, “When Their World Falls Apart: Helping Families and Children Manage the Effects of Disasters.” Full story

Two faculty members help Haitian agency serve earthquake's youngest survivors

This summer, School of Social Work faculty members Mat Despard and Gina Chowa had planned to be developing two projects both hoped could assist in the long-term efforts of building a healthier and more economically stable Haiti. Then the Jan. 12 earthquake hit. The two UNC colleagues have since shifted their priorities and are now focusing their energy and expertise to provide more immediate relief to young survivors in one rural area of the country.

Despard, a clinical assistant professor, and Chowa, an assistant professor, have partnered with Fondation Enfant Jesus (FEJ), an organization that operates a crèche, clean water project, micro-enterprise program and school programs in Lamardelle, a rural farming village about 20 miles east of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Despard, who adopted a little girl from the organization almost two years ago, said the crèche, which is similar to an orphanage, sustained some damage from the quake, but the 70 children living there were uninjured. Full story

Come to China with the School of Social Work

This year's Summer School Abroad in China will be held May 23 to June 9. The deadline to apply is March 15.

This course is open to all graduate and upper division undergraduate students, as well as practitioners, administrators, and educators in social work, public health, education, public policy, religion, medicine, and related fields who want to learn more about Chinese social issues and culture. Friends and family members of participants are also welcome; however, priority will be given to students and social work educators and practitioners. There are no prerequisites for this course. Full story

Clinical Lecture Series

Feb. 22: ADHD: Differential diagnosis and treatment strategies across the life course, Jack Naftel, M.D. March 22: Cultural trauma: Developing an ear for the unspoken in the room. Michelle Johnson, MSW, LCSW. April 19: Ethics of Becoming Competent in Psychopharmacology,
Gary Gala, M.D. Details & registration

New booklet highlights the School's work in the community 

Through its teaching, research and public service, Carolina connects with people every day in ways that improve lives and build futures. The fact is, everything we do here at the UNC School of Social Work is connected to community engagement in some way.

Learn about several interesting and unique projects in this colorful little booklet. Download booklet (pdf)

Call for nominations: The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award

The UNC School of Social Work is currently accepting nominations for the 2010 Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award. To qualify, the nominee must be a graduate of the School and meet some of the following criteria:

1. Demonstrate outstanding leadership and make significant contributions to the field of social work.
2. Demonstrate a deep commitment to high ethical social work standards.
3. Develop and/or implement major innovations that have improved the quality of life for members in her/his community.
4. Benefit her/his clients, the professional community and the social work profession through special contributions, advocacy and involvement in professional, civic or community organizations.
5. Be an effective advocate for social work issues.

Please e-mail your nominations by April 1 to Kristen Huffman, or mail to Kristen's attention: UNC School of Social Work, Campus Box #3550, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27599-3550. Be sure to include a letter or paragraph about the person you are nominating which explains why your nominee should be considered. If you have any other questions, please call Kristen at (919) 843-7285.

Addiction conference set for May 11-14

The 24th Annual "Addiction: Focus on Women Conference" will be held May 11-14 at the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, N.C. This year's theme is "Emerging Trends in Treatment." The UNC School of Social Work is among the sponsors.

Looking for a job? Have a job to post?

Check out our alumni job board. New positions added!

F A C U L T Y    S P O T L I G H T

Deborah Barrett has an article published in the winter 2010 edition of Fibromyalgia Aware magazine, entitled "Steering Clear of Scams."

Read the article (pdf)

 

 

 

 

Natasha Bowen was invited by the lead school social worker in Wake County Public School System to serve on the WCPSS School Social Work Advisory Council. As an advisor, she will help school social workers in the school district evaluate their practices and show their impact on student success.

Bowen was also invited by the superintendent of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School district to serve on the Community Action Committee for the Success of all Students. The goal of this new committee is to involve the community in raising the achievement of African-American, Latino and economically disadvantaged students.

 

 

Jodi Flick is featured in an informative new video on suicide prevention produced by the Mecklenburg County Health Department. It is called "This Will Pass: Suicide Prevention." See the video

 

 

Mark Fraser's book, "Risk and Resilience in Childhood: An Ecological Perspective," was just published in Japanese by the National Association of Social Workers Press. Fraser is the John A. Tate Distinguished Professor for Children in Need, and the associate dean for research.

Melissa Grady had an opinion-editorial column published in the (Raleigh) News & Observer on Feb. 2, "Focusing on sex offenders."

Dan Hudgins had an opinion-editorial column published in the (Durham) Herald-Sun on Feb. 4, "Doing justice to a good-faith effort to help the poor."

Dean Jack Richman was among a group of 35 experts from various social work higher education, professional association and military backgrounds who

Mark Testa's new book, "Fostering Accountability: Using Evidence to Guide and Improve Child Welfare Policy" was just published by Oxford Press. Testa is the Spears-Turner Distinguished Professor.

Media mentions

• Mat Despard is quoted in a Triangle Tribune article, "Students fundraise for Haitian orphans."
• Susan Parish is quoted in a New Jersey newspaper article, "Health-care solutions for special needs children."

Adriane Casalotti, MSW/MSPH '09, is the recipient of the National Association of Social Workers-North Carolina Chapter President's Award. This is their MSW student award ($1,000), and is based on leadership qualities and academic excellence. Casalotti just graduated in December and is currently working in as a congressional fellow in Washington, D.C., working on health policy on Capitol Hill. Full story

Emily Fitch Wolfe, MSW '09 was placed at UNC Hospitals on the bone marrow unit for her concentration year field placement. One of her projects was a caregiver survey. Fitch and her field instructor, Kathy Roundtree, submitted an abstract for a poster presentation to the American Psycho-Oncology Society, and it was accepted. Roundtree will present the poster, "Results of a Caregiver Needs Survey for Caregivers of Stem Cell Transplant Patients" at APOS, Feb. 18-21 in New Orleans, La.  Thank you to Denisé Dews for submitting this item.

Editor: Michelle Rogers
 
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