Great explanation on website: (copy and paste) http://grandchallengesforsocialwork.org/grand-challenges-initiative/12-challenges/harness-technology-for-social-good/ My particular interests is in catching the profession of social work up with the integration of technology to better serve our clients and communities. I also think it is important as faculty to educate future social workers about the impact of technology in the clinical and macro settings.
Jennifer Parga
Associate Teaching Professor, Practicum Education
Emerging expert on identifying, integrating and harnessing technology opportunities to prepare students to improve their local communities.
Jennifer Parga
Associate Teaching Professor, Practicum Education
Emerging expert on identifying, integrating and harnessing technology opportunities to prepare students to improve their local communities.
Biography
Jennifer Parga joined as full-time practicum faculty in 2015 on the VACnand serving as a point of contact for other practicum liaisons assisting students nationwide. Prior to joining USC, Parga diligently supported first-generation college students via service-learning opportunities in partnership with San Diego-based high schools, nonprofits, and community-based organizations in the most diverse community in San Diego. She worked with donors to create and maintain an annual $100,000 in alumni scholarships. As a community organizer with an emphasis in consensus organizing, Parga was contracted to provide state-wide trainings in Georgia and lead local initiatives with the San Diego Foundation to create sustainable solutions through identifying mutual self-interest and capacity building. During that time, she spent several years on the Coordinating Council of Mid-City Community Advocacy Network during one of the most impactful placed-based funding initiatives implemented in partnership with the California Endowment. From 2005 to 2015, she served on the board of directors for the National Association of Social Workers and served as San Diego-Region E Regional Director and California State Secretary. In addition to teaching in field courses at USC, Parga currently focuses on expanding the school's understanding of the needs of remote faculty, collaborating with other faculty to develop virtual communities, and exploring ways of integrating technology, social media, and apps into the social work curriculum. Parga is currently a member of NASW, Council on Social Work Education, and gives strategic support and consultation to the Trauma Informed Care Task Force of Greater Los Angeles and the Journey Foundation for Caregivers.
Education
San Diego State University
MSW 2007
San Diego State University
BSW 2004
Area of Expertise
- Distance Education and Technology
- Data and Technology for Social Good
- Technology Integration in Education
- Non-Profit Administration & Management
- Board Development
- Community Organizing & Development
- Yoga and Meditation Intervention
- Change Management & Strategic Planning
Industry Experience
- Information Technology and Services
- Training and Development
- Program Development
- Education/Learning
- Health and Wellness
- Social Services
- Information Services
- Social Media
Grand Challenges
Affiliations
- National Association of Social Workers
- Online Learning Consortium
- Council on Social Work Education
Accomplishments
Grant Recipient
Articles & Publications
Beyond the Online versus On- campus Debate: Leveraging Technology in a CoI Framework to Enhance Student and Faculty Presence in the MSW Classroom. | Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 39(4-5), 308-322
The Evolution of Building Community Among Faculty on Virtual and Ground Campuses. | Professional Development: The International Journal of Continuing Social Work Education
Cultivating Relationships with Agency Field Instructors: Collaboration in Online Education. The Transformation of Social Work Education Through Virtual Learning (265-282). | Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Spiraling Organizational Change: a Campus Conversion to Online Programming | The Field Educator (Fall 2018)
Technology in social work education: Educators’ perspectives on the NASW Technology Standards for Social Work Education and Supervision. | University at Buffalo School of Social Work, State University of New York.
Technology Adoption in Social Work Education | Oxford Press
Research Focus
Collaboration between Our Lady of the Lake University, Arizona State University, five remote faculty/administrators are interviewing others with IRB approval on their experience to becoming a remote faculty. One group are folks who chose to have remote positions and another group (post COVID) on how their remote transition has been.
Partnerships
As an all-volunteer grassroots organization since 2014 TILAs mission is to foster resilient communities that promote healing and well-being through collaboration, education, and community engagement. Their vision is a trauma-informed Los Angeles. I work with TILA specifically on strategic planning, facilitate working retreats, implementing participatory decision making practices, and really just supporting their steering committee in any way that I can because they are amazing human beings!
Courses
This is our famous VFP (Virtual Field Practicum). A client simulation course where your receive instant feedback on your intervention implementation. Not only is the course structured to teach you evidence based interventions like Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy but you are practicing in real time from the convenience of your own home. This is truly one of my favorite courses to teach and it is amazing to see both folks who are brand new to social work and seasoned to have life changing moments in class! CYF (Children Youth and Family) students will enhance core practice skills underlying social work services to children, youth, and families within a complex system. AMHW (Adult Mental Health and Wellness) students will enhance core practice skills underlying social work services within health, mental health, and integrated care settings with the adult population. SCI (Social Change and Innovation) students will enhance core practice skills underlying social work services to organizations, and business and community settings. Students will engage in critical thinking, focused dialogue, exploration of theory, examination of practice, and policy analysis utilizing department specific field experiences. In addition, this course will provide a forum for learning and building practice skills through interaction, self-reflection, role-play, case discussion, and other experiential exercises designed to encourage students’ creativity. Students will also have the opportunity to engage in activities that enhance professional communication. Therefore, collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and creativity will be the primary skills to be developed. These courses serve as placeholders for your community based internship. My role in this course is to serve as your Field Liaison aka making sure you complete all your field assignments, are receiving the defined learning opportunities at your agency, track your hours, and support you and the agency during your placement.
Availability
- Moderator
- Panelist
- Workshop
- Host/MC
Testimonials
Grateful to have a great role model in you who shows compassion towards the students Professor Parga is an excellent professor who allows students to debrief and talk about their experiences and is there for the students. She is always available and ensures that students get the best experience even as virtual students. She has made my experience at USC so much better. Thank you to professor Parga!!