News Archive
Opinion
-
President Trump promises to eliminate gun-free school zones. Many think he will likely sign an executive order soon.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) also recently introduced a bill, which would repeal the Gun-Free School Zones Act. Massie commented about the zones, “They do not and cannot prevent criminals or the mentally ill from committing acts of violence. But they often prevent victims of such violence from protecting themselves.”
-
Our school has a mandate in these moments of national upheaval to reaffirm our values and work even more passionately to achieve the aims we serve as a profession.
That is the purpose of this letter. I speak for both our social work and nursing departments.
In social work and nursing, the linchpin of our values is social justice for all.
Our vigilance and concern for equity has been central to this school since its earliest inception and stands as a hallmark today.
-
Fifteen years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq have generated unprecedented investment in mitigating war-related mental health problems, including large increases in funding since 2007 for clinical trials of trauma-focused psychotherapies.
-
California’s population is aging. By 2030, 18 percent of the state will be 65 or older. More significantly, this population will be increasingly racially and ethnically diverse. Current projections suggest that 52% of these older adults will be members of a minority group.
This demographic shift is likely to have a profound impact on California, with studies projecting increased older adult poverty rates, rising health-care costs for the elderly, and significant long-term care shortages.
No population is expected to be harder hit than African Americans.
-
Modern social work and nursing as professions were borne under conditions of profound social and political upheaval in the 19th century. We have been committed ever since to the struggle for social change, social justice, healing and protection of vulnerable populations. We increasingly recognize the impact of social determinants on health and positive outcomes for all.
As dean, I want to reaffirm this dedication to social justice and our determination to support a fair, democratic and open nation.
-
For the last several months, the national presidential election has dominated headlines. For anyone tuning in — or, likely, trying to tune out — it’s been an election wrought with rhetoric, accusations, and blatant lies, some of which have been aimed at minorities and other marginalized groups who make easy targets.
But despite this current and seemingly unproductive political environment, quietly behind the scenes the LGBT community has enjoyed a few small victories that run counter to the national narrative.
-
On Oct. 4, the National Association of Social Workers-USC Unit at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work hosted “Election 2016: What’s at Stake? Implications for Social Workers.”
-
NYU clinical professor Yvonne Latty never expected the hardships faced as a caregiver for her mother living with Alzheimer’s. From the 24/7 care to the rising medical bills, the experience has been overwhelming. Her attempts to access a diagnosis and treatment for her mother in the Bronx left her angry, frustrated and confused. A doctor smugly suggested Yvonne “Google” her mother’s condition and devise a plan for her with the help of URLs.
-
Tania Bradkin possesses a unique dedication to the human condition.
A third-year MSW@USC student at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and part-time commissioner of social services for the City of Santa Monica, the 46-year-old Bradkin is a proud single mother of 14-year-old twins, preschool teacher and a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster children in Los Angeles County.
-
At the beginning of June I attended the second Policy Briefing to End Youth Homelessness at the White House, co-sponsored by True Colors Fund. I can not speak for everyone who attended the event, but for me the highlight of the day was hearing a panel of youth speak about their experiences struggling to overcome homelessness. As one young man put it, “nobody chooses being homeless.” And I think that is the first thing that people need to understand about youth homelessness. These young people do not want to be on the streets.