News Archive

As the United States looks toward January 20, 2021 and the inauguration of a new president, its citizens continue to deal with the stress and anxiety of the global pandemic, fights for equality and racial justice, and an election cycle rife with anger and, most recently, violence and incursion.

Social workers may find themselves in a unique position of leadership, helping individuals and communities cope, heal and move forward.

Nine months into the pandemic, everyone has been affected by COVID-19 in some way. However, one group that needs special attention and support is U.S. veterans who were already struggling with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In the beginning of her career, Diane Yaris, MSW ’14, thought that she would take the more traditional, clinical route as a social worker. But then, she started envisioning how she could make the most impact and got excited about the organizational side of things. She wanted to help change behaviors in order to help change a culture.

Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón has announced the establishment of the office’s first Crime Victims Advisory Board, and introduced the six founding members at a news conference on December 16 which include Susan He

Since March 2020, when COVID-19 escalated into a pandemic, at least three Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work contracted COVID-19 while juggling school, clinical placements and work as registered nurses.

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is making new strides in its advancement of equity, diversity and inclusion through a new committee charged by Dean Sarah Gehlert to set policy and help measure progress of this transformational work.

Researchers at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work are rising up to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and understand how the public health crisis is impacting behavioral health.

In the past eight months, the school’s faculty have partnered with other schools at USC, as well as outside organizations, to respond to the disease. They aim to advance knowledge of the disease’s impact on the health care system and individual well-being, and develop strategies for recovery.

GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.

Dear USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Community,

As we close the Fall 2020 semester, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge your dedication over the past few months that have been unusual and challenging. We have endured a number of distractions – a worldwide health crisis, civil unrest, a contentious election – yet you have persevered in service to our school, professions, and those whom we serve. I appreciate your hard work and commitment to advancing social good. It has not gone unnoticed.

Across campus, USC researchers from diverse disciplines are coming together to understand the impact of COVID-19 on different communities.