On June 21st, we had the opportunity to meet with a number of our new MSW students who are entering the program in the fall.  It was a great opportunity for them to talk with faculty and staff as well as meet fellow students in the program.

The event was catered by Chartwells and door prizes were awarded to 6 lucky students.  View photos of the event here.

We are happy to announce that the Harvey and Phyllis Sandler Foundation, Inc. has made a generous donation of $5,000 to the FAU School of Social Work therefore, becoming a valued member of our Founders Council. We would like to thank the Harvey and Phyllis Sandler Foundation.

Sponsored by our student organization SWEAT, Social Work Empowerment and Advocacy Team, 110 FAU students made a trip to Tallahassee on April 4-5 to participate in the National Association of Social Workers Student Lobby Day. Dr. Lea Anne DeRigne, Assistant Professor and Linda Laviano, Adjunct Instructor, traveled with the students. The group left at 5:30 a.m. on Monday morning and arrived in Tallahassee Monday afternoon just in time to attend an exciting Senate Judiciary committee meeting where many activist groups were testifying in opposition to an immigration bill that is modeled after Arizona's controversial policy. Students were also able to take tours of both the new and old state Capitol buildings that afternoon. The group then participated in a lobbying training put on by NASW-FL. On Tuesday students met with legislators and advocated for a variety of social justice oriented issues. They also sat in on House and Senate committee meetings getting the chance to hear testimony on a range or issues from immigration policy to healthcare and economic development projects. Many students designed advocacy plans focused on specific bills. For example one group was working on a bill that would have prohibited pharmacies from being located within pain clinics. They filled empty prescription bottles with personal letters about the friends and family members that they have lost to prescription drug overdoses. They delivered the pill bottles to many legislators as well as the Governor. It was an exciting trip and one that many students are excited about repeating next year.

Click here for more information on the SWEAT organization.

View photos of the event here

On March 31, our student organization SOWSA sponsored our annual Career Fair in the Social Science building rotunda. We had a good turnout of agencies this year. Many interested students stopped by to learn more about career opportunities and services in the area.

View photos of the event here

BOCA RATON, FL (March 22, 2011) - Florida Atlantic University’s School of Social Work in the College for Design and Social Inquiry hosted an Inception Ceremony for its new Aging Academy on Tuesday, March 22, at 4 p.m. in the Live Oak Pavilion on the Boca Raton campus. This free event, which was open to the public and attracted over 200 attendees, introduced the Aging Academy, celebrating the expansion of the school’s current curriculum and internships in the geriatric social work field.

As South Florida’s population of senior citizens continues to rise, the Aging Academy will provide specialized instruction and training for individuals interested in becoming leaders in eldercare service provision. The first cohort of geriatric scholars in the Master of Social Work program is scheduled to begin with the Fall 2011 semester.  FAU will be offering scholarship stipend opportunities up to help build interest in and commitment to the specialization.

FAU’s School of Social Work currently offers an elders certificate program that requires students to complete aging-specific classes alongside their standard coursework. With the Academy launching, geriatric issues will be incorporated into the entire social work curriculum in the form of lectures, class projects, service learning and research.

The initiative will be directed by Stephen Ferrante, MSW, who will be responsible for recruiting, coaching and coordinating funding opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate social work students who specialize in aging. “For years, South Florida has and continues to maintain a large senior population,” said Ferrante. “Coupling this with the increasing number of local, retiring professionals creates a significant demand for a skilled geriatric workforce."

According to the Social Work Leadership Institute, less than 10 percent of the nation’s MSW graduates are presently educated and trained to work with seniors, which happens to be the fastest-growing demographic in the country. The National Institute of Health estimates that the United States currently needs 60,000 more social workers who specialize in geriatrics. Instead of growing, the overall social work labor force is shrinking, with 30% of current practitioners nearing retirement.

The March 22 kickoff event offered faculty, students and community stakeholders the chance to learn about the Aging Academy’s goals, activities and giving opportunities. Ms. Corrine H. Rieder, executive director of the John F. Hartford Foundation, provide a keynote address regarding the emerging need for geriatric competence in the social work field.

FAU Officials deserve credit for recognizing and addressing this need.

For more information, contact Stephen Ferrante at ferrante@fau.edu.

View photos of the event here

On March 20th, The School of Social Work participated in the Florida AIDS Walk, a 10K walk in Fort Lauderdale. This year we had a good turnout of students and faculty to support this meaningful fundraiser.

View photos of the event here

Dear Colleagues, Friends and Family,

While the past decade has brought lifesaving medical advances in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, HIV infections continue to skyrocket in number, and South Florida leads the nation in new AIDS cases. Because we knew we needed to take part in fighting this disease, we’ve signed up for Florida AIDS Walk, a 10K walk in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, March 20, 2011 (starting around 8 a.m. from the Huizinga Plaza on Las Olas). Would you please support our team’s effort to stop the spread of HIV by becoming one of team members? Whatever you can give will make a profound difference. To join us, click here and find “Team FAU School of Social Work”

The donations that we raise will be used to provide needed care and services for the men, women and children in our community who are living with HIV/AIDS, regardless of their ability to pay. It will also fund the expansion of free HIV testing, prevention education and treatment referral right here in Fort Lauderdale, and throughout the state of Florida. Click here if you’d like to learn more about who will benefit from the funds we raise. Your gift to this worthy cause is fully tax-deductible.

Please invite your friends, family, and colleagues to join us in this fun and meaningful event.

Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,

Dr. Allan Barsky
Dr. J.J. Choi