Haiti Relief - Collaboration with Catholic Charities of Central Florida
If you would like to be involved in the School of Social Work's ongoing involvement with this project please contact Dr. Denise Gammonley. Click here for further information. |
5-14-12
Public Affairs Doctoral Program Reaches Milestone
In
a follow-up article, the Central Florida Future reports further on the
doctoral program's 100th graduate, Rebekah Hazlett-Knudsen (M.S.W. '02 ), a social work instructor.
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5-10-12
Read the Spring 2012 issue of Social Work Works!, the biannual newsletter of UCF's School of Social Work. |
5-2-12
A Public Affairs Milestone Touched by Serendipity
The Doctoral Program in Public Affairs will reach a milestone tomorrow when the
100th student to complete the program graduates during commencement ceremonies
for the College of Health and Public Affairs.
Rebekah Hazlett-Knudsen, an instructor in social work, earned this notable position when she successfully defended her dissertation earlier in the academic year. |
4-30-12
 Social Work Matters Video
Students
Brittany Hamilton, Dawn Benedit, Laketra Clark and Michelle Hanford recently completed a video on "Social Work Matters" for their course "Practice II: Interpersonal Skills" course taught Instructor Mary Mann. The video highlights the importance of social work through commentary by faculty members and photos of this spring's "Community Connections" event. Watch the video |
4-19-12
UCF Well-Represented at CF-NASW Awards Ceremony
Three members of the School of Social Work received annual awards given out by the Central Florida Unit of the National Association of Social Workers. The following individuals were honored during a ceremony in March (left to right):
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LCSW Social Worker of the Year
Sherri Claudio, Orlando VA Medical Center
Elected Official of the Year
Representative Scott Randolph,
Florida House of Representatives
B.S.W. Student of the Year
Alana Leger, UCF School of Social Work
M.S.W. Educator of the Year
Mary Mann, UCF School of Social Work
Public Citizen of the Year
Robin Maynard,
Founder, Libby’s Legacy
M.S.W. Student of the Year
Michael Freeman, UCF School of Social Work
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4-4-12
New Course in Fall 2012 - Open to All Students - Space is Limited!
 Core Concepts in Child and Adolescent Trauma
Associate Professor Ana Leon is collaborating with Fordham University and the National Center for Social Work Trauma Education and Workforce Development to offer this advanced graduate-level course (SOW 6727) open to students in any academic program in the fall of 2012. For further information, click on the link above or write to ana.leon@ucf.edu.
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3-19-12
Osceola County Proclamation Recognizes UCF's Regional M.S.W. Program
The Osecola County Commissioners recognized the M.S.W. program at the UCF Valencia Osceola campus in Kissimmee by proclaiming March 2012 as "Social Work Month." Interim Director Sophia Dziegielewski and Instructor Marixa Salgado, who coordinates the program, received a formal proclamation document from Osceola County Commissioner John Quiñones. Read the proclamation
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(Left to right) Dziegielewski, Salgado and Quiñones in the commissioners' chamber.
(Photos by Victor Salgado) |
Supporters of the program pose with Salgado and Dziegielewski outside of the county's Administration Building in Kissimmee. |
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RECENT EVENT
Sixth Annual UCF School of Social Work Conference
"Responding to the Needs of African-American and Black Families"
March 2, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Oseola Heritage Park - Extension Building
1875 Silver Spur Lane
Kissimmee, Florida
Contact: Marixa Salgado, marixa.salgado@ucf.edu, 321-948-9311
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1-4-12
Read the Winter 2011/2012 issue of Social Work Works!, the biannual newsletter of UCF's School of Social Work. |
 12-15-11
Future Elder Caregivers Should Learn Life Histories
This fall, Associate Professor Denise Gammonley from the School of Social
Work teamed up with Connie Lester from the Department of History to lead a
project designed to introduce undergraduates to the concept of “person-centered
care.” (Click on title to learn more) |
12-12-11
Project Helps Domestic Violence Survivors Start Over
Students in the "Clinical Practice with Families" class taught this fall by Instructor Betsy Swart conducted a "very successful" project to help women at SafeHouse of Seminole. The agency, located in Seminole County, provides shelter for women who face imminent danger of domestic violence in their homes. SafeHouse also shelters their children.
"My class took on the project of helping create 'Starting Over' kits for women at SafeHouse," Swart said. "Many of these women must start over in an empty apartment -- not an easy thing to do, especially in today's economy."
The students secured donations of items in five categories to create the kits: household products, glasses and silverware; sheets and towels; children's clothes and toys; non-perishable food items; and diapers. They delivered one carload of the donations to SafeHouse in late November and a second carload, this time of donated toys, in December.
Swart said the class had fun doing the project and gained satisfaction from being able to contribute to the lives of local families in need.
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Students from Swart's class pose with some of the donations for SafeHouse. (Click image to enlarge) |
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11-28-11
Blind UCF Grad Inspiring Others
Alumna Alicia Betancourt's (M.S.W. '11) inspiring story of how she has overcome a disability to pursue a career in social work was recently reported in the Daytona Beach News-Journal. Click on the link above to learn more. |
CONTINUING EDUCATION
9-16-11 to 10-14-11
Case Management Academy
The School of Social Work, in partnership with the Central Florida Commission on
Homelessness and the Heart of Florida United Way, is offering a Case Management
Academy designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of case managers.
For further information see: Academy Announcement, Registration Site
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10-10-11
Molina Provides Expertise on Domestic Violence
Associate Professor Olga Molina was recently interviewed as a faculty expert for an article on domestic violence published by impreMedia, a leading Hispanic news and information company. Read the article (in Spanish)
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8-22-11
 Educating Social Workers in Osceola County
UCF launched a Master of Social Work program at its Valencia Osceola campus in fall 2010. The program is providing graduate education in social work to many individuals working in social services in Osceola County. |
8-8-11
College Students Distribute 135 Backpacks to Needy Children
Several University of Central Florida students studying to become social
workers will help distribute about 135 backpacks they filled with school
supplies for needy children on Wednesday, Aug. 10.
Note: A report on the backpack give-away was published on the orlandosentinel.com at http://ucflink.me/23 |
6-23-11
Social Work Video Wins International Communicator Award
A video developed by Instructor Marixa Salgado, who coordinates the M.S.W. program at UCF Valencia Osceola,
and UCF’s Level2 Productions is a 2011 Award of Excellence Winner in the Education Film/Video category in the 17th Annual Communicator Awards program run by the International Academy of the Visual Arts. Salgado developed the video as an introduction to the course "Diverse Client Populations." Watch the video
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6-21-11
Gammonley Reappointed to CSEW Council
Associate Professor Denise Gammonley has been reappointed as a member of the Council of Social Work Education's (CSWE) Council on Global Learning, Research and Practice for a three-year term. Among the council's responsibilities are promoting the development of social workers who are competent in international practice. Learn more at the link above. |
6-9-11
 Faculty and student researchers from the School of Social Work attended the Advancement
of Social Work with Groups' 33rd Annual International Symposium, held June 2-5 aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, Calif. Each researcher presented a paper or poster. The presenters were (left to right) public affairs doctoral student Lloyd Duran, Master of Social Work student Yiny Poveda, Associate Professor Olga Molina, and M.S.W. students Julie Clifton and Tiffany Vanterpool. (Click on photo to enlarge) |
5-16-11
Congratulations to the Class of 2011!
Congratulations to the following students and field instructors who received recognition for their outstanding commitment to the program. These individuals were recognized at the May 5, 2011, School of Social Work Celebration:
MSW Field Student of the Year: Frieda Saylor, STEPS, Inc.
BSW Field Student of the Year: Angela Walloga, Most Precious Blood Catholic Church
MSW Perseverance Award: Maija Pietila, The City of Karrina Family Counseling, Finland
BSW Perseverance Award: Nicole Encarnacion, Apopka Family Learning Center
MSW Field Instructor of the Year: Mary Kelsey, VITAS Innovative Hospice
BSW Field Instructor of the Year: Susan Malcho, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
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5-10-11
Social Work Works! - Spring 2011
Read the latest about the school in its biannual e-newsletter. |
RECENT EVENT
5-6 and 5-7-11
"Advanced Training (Phase II) - Serving the Needs of the Military, Veterans and Their Families"
These continuing education certificate programs are offered by the School of Social Work in collaboration with the Orlando VA Medical Center. The programs are offered at the UCF Daytona Beach campus.
Learn more |
5-2-11
 Congratulations!
UCF Faculty Member Wins National Advising Award
Robin Kohn, coordinator of the Bachelor of Social Work program at UCF, has
been selected as the 2011 Outstanding Advising Award winner in the Faculty
Academic Advising category by the National Academic Advising Association. Read more |
5-2-11
 Episode Highlights School's Work on Truancy Intervention
The latest episode of UCFTV's "Public Affairs Today" show features an interview with Associate Professor Shawn Lawrence (left in photo) about efforts to
reduce student truancy in Orange and Osceola counties. The episode also includes a segment on the Department of Criminal Justice's assessment of Seminole County's juvenile justice programs.
Watch the episode |
4-28-11
Congressman Honors Alumna
U.S. Rep. John Mica (7th District of Florida) hosted a dinner last evening to honor recipients of the John L. Mica Public Service Scholarship. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate in the College of Health and Public Affairs who demonstrates outstanding public service. Attending the dinner was the 2005-06 scholarship recipient, Tejah Carbone (M.S.W. '06), who is now employed as a social worker at Florida Hospital in Altamonte Springs. Photo |
4-26-11
Students' "Research Wow!!!!" Video Wows 
Three B.S.W. students enrolled in Associate Professor Ana Leon's SOW 3401 - Social Work Research course this spring tapped their creativity to produce a "hysterical" short video designed to engage their peers in the course topic.
"I was completely impressed with their video," Leon said. "It's a great example of the enthusiasm, creativity and commitment that students can muster when engaged in research activities."
The student video producers are
Asteria Moore-Belghazi (above), Priscilla Quinonez and Angela "Angie" Washington.
Watch their video |
4-14-11
Leon Quoted on Use of No-Harm Contracts
Associate Professor Ana Leon is quoted extensively in a Tampa Tribune article on the use of no-harm contracts by schools and mental health professionals.
See: "Hillsborough Schools' Suicide Policy Questioned"
Read the full article |
4-12-11
Congratulations!
M.S.W. student Michael Freeman has been selected to receive the 2010-2011 UCF Keeper of the Creed Award "under the pillar of Community." Freeman also is assistant director of diversity education and student engagement for the UCF Office of Diversity Initiatives. He will be honored by UCF Student Development and Enrollment Services at an Appreciation Celebration planned for 9 a.m, April 19, in the Student Union Pegasus Ballroom. Photo from the celebration (Freeman is fifth from the right) |
RECENT EVENT
4-8 and 4-9-11
"Basic Training (Phase I) - Serving the Needs of the Military, Veterans and Their Families" Open to the public |
RECENT EVENT
3-4-11
"Families in Crisis"
This continuing education conference is sponsored by the School of Social Work. The
keynote speaker,
Dr. Jan C. Garavaglia ("Dr. G."), Orange County medical examiner, will speak about prescription drug abuse. Open to the public
Click here to learn more. |
2-28-11
Alissa Mooney, a social work graduate student and intern at the Orlando Veterans Administration Medical Center was a “hero” at the Feb. 27 "Topping Out" ceremony, which recognized the half-way point in construction of the new VA hospital at Lake Nona. "The planned singer of the national anthem and the backup both cancelled," said Steve Shea, chief of psychology for the medical center. “With 20 min. notice, Alissa volunteered to sing. With a large audience, a stage full of dignitaries and TV cameras rolling, Alissa stepped up and saved the day. And she did a beautiful job too!”
Click here to read about the ceremony. |
1-4-11
UCF Trains Child Abuse Investigators in Orange, Brevard and Osceola Counties
UCF’s School of Social Work landed a four-year $1.3 million contract from the
Florida Department of Children and Families to develop materials and train its
new child protective investigators and supervisors.
Also see:
Central Florida Future, 1-24-11
Orlando Sentinel, 1-4-11
Orlando Business Journal, 1-4-11 |
12-23-10
We wish you a happy holiday season!
The University of Central Florida (including the School of Social Work) will be closed from Friday, December 24th until Sunday, January 2, 2011. We will re-open on Monday, January 3, 2011 at 8 AM.
Be advised, the UCF email system will be down December 27th & 28th, email will not be received if sent during this time. |
12-17-10
Social Work Works! - Winter 2010
Read the latest about the school in its biannual e-newsletter. |
12-17-10
B.S.W. Student Selected as UCF Legislative Scholar
Senior social work major Diane Suddes has been selected as a UCF Legislative Scholar for
spring 2011.
The internship will enable her to spend three months
working at a state legislative office in Tallahassee, helping with research,
constituent relations, bill tracking and other duties required in the daily
operations of a legislative office in session. She has been assigned to the office of Sen. Mike
Haridopolos, president of the Florida Senate.
Suddes will be the first social work student to participate in the internship program since it was established at UCF six years ago.
Suddes, who has three grown children, credits her relatively new-found interest in politics and the legislative process to her experience participating in annual Lobby Day
and the UCF course "Macro-Level Roles and Interventions in Social Work."
A total of nine students from UCF will serve as
Legislative Scholars this spring. They were selected based on letters of
recommendation, a personal statement and an interview. Each will receive
housing, a $3,000 stipend and academic credit for their efforts. |
11-29-10
Annnoucing: Study Abroad Opportunity
Social Work in Contemporary Russia
July 2011
Under the leadership of Ana M. Leon, associate professor of social work, and the UCF Department of Criminal Justice and Office of International Studies, participants will travel to Moscow and Volgograd, Russia, to study social work in contemporary Russia.
The program is open to all UCF students and to community professionals.
For further information, contact Dr. Ana M. Leon at leon@mail.ucf.edu or
407-823-6195.
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11-19-10
M.S.W. student Rebecca Shillings is a finalist for Florida Today's 2010 Volunteer of the Year award! Shillings is a prolific volunteer who uses her own personal story of hardship to inspire others. Click here to learn more. |
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7-29-10
Social Work Class Gives Back
Students in Associate Professor Eileen Abel's course, “Macro Level Roles and Interventions in Social Work Practice,” conducted a back-to-school drive that will provide backpacks loaded with school supplies to local families in need. |
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