News Archive
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For the next year, the USC School of Social Work will benefit from the research and practical expertise of the Israeli Defense Forces mental health department.
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Social work is historically and inherently based in clinical practice.
From the settlement houses of the late 1800s to the therapeutic treatments offered to veterans of the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the profession has focused on providing services to the most vulnerable individuals in society.
In recent decades, however, scholars have sought to bring a decidedly more scientific approach to social work by emphasizing evidence-based interventions shown to be effective in research studies, an effort that has been embraced by some but challenged by others.
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In the world of academic research, streams of funding from federal and state agencies are king.
A large grant from the National Institutes of Health can propel a young faculty member’s career forward and sustain ongoing research for years.
But as public institutions tighten their purse strings and the federal funding environment grows increasingly competitive, researchers at the USC School of Social Work have begun exploring previously overlooked forms of support, particularly from private foundations, businesses and philanthropic donors.
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Since graduating from the University of Southern California, Nathan Graeser has been actively involved in Los Angeles making sure the needs of veterans are met, especially their spiritual needs.
It is a natural fit for Graeser, MSW ’13, who has been in the military for 14 years, including the last three years as a chaplain with the Army National Guard.
Graeser said involving faith communities in the network of support services for returning veterans was a logical step.
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A $1.5 million donation from a couple with strong ties to USC will enable researchers at the USC School of Social Work to explore how technology can promote health among older adults in Taiwan.
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For the first time in its history, an entire class of the Network of Korean-American Leaders (NetKAL) at the USC School of Social Work has pledged donations to the organization that brings together accomplished individuals from various industries to promote collective civic and professional leadership in the Korean-American community.
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To many it may seem like a simple title, but earning an endowed professorship or chair at the USC School of Social Work sends a strong message.
“It’s an excellent way to attract outstanding faculty, and it’s a very important mechanism for recognizing research accomplishments,” said Marilyn Flynn, the school’s dean. “It’s one of the few ways we have of publicly endorsing and honoring the achievements of research faculty.”
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Navigating the child welfare system in Los Angeles County can be difficult – and that’s putting it lightly. Not only do families have to meet certain benchmarks, but they have to do so by figuring out where and how best to receive certain social services, much on their own.
For the social workers helping these families, the process can be just as tough. Unless a social worker has had experience on both the government and community agency sides, fully understanding what these people go through is unlikely.
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For many, being a student means learning the basics before making a foray into the professional world.
But Master of Social Work student Alejandra Cortez didn’t want to wait and decided she wanted to do something meaningful now. So she ran for president of her hometown’s neighborhood council – and won.
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For USC School of Social Work students interested in working one-on-one with veterans and military families, a trip to the nation’s capital provided a meaningful lesson in understanding how policies are made and their influence on everything from the accessibility of timely mental health services to the successful reintegration of soldiers to society.