University of Nebraska at Omaha
additional resources.
activities & accomplishments.
The activities and accomplishments of our faculty, staff and students are what makes the UNO School of Social Work exciting and unique!
We are involved in a vast array of service-learning, community outreach (both domestic and international), and health promotion projects. Keep reading below to learn about how our faculty and students exemplify the true meaning of social work - coming together to create positive change in the world.
Faculty |
Students MSW Student Published in Child/Adolescent Journal SW Students to Present at NASW-NE Conference BSSW Students Assist Professor in Publication of Manual |
Programs |
Patricia Carlson, School of Social Work; Barbara Weitz, retired faculty member of the School of Social Work; and Paul Sather, Director of the Service Learning Academy and American Humanics; had an article published in the Fall 2007 edition of the Journal of Teaching in Social Work titled 'Engaging Students in Macro Issues Through Community-Based Learning: The Policy, Practice, and Research Sequence'.
Patricia Carlson has been elected to the Advisory Board of the Neighborhood Center for Greater Omaha.
Dr. Jeanette Harder is writing a book manuscript entitled, Preparing our faith communities to end child abuse and neglect to be published by Herald Press in Scottdale, Pennsylvania.
The 2006 YWCA Omaha Volunteer Award was awarded to Dr. Jeanette Harder. According to the YWCA, “Dr. Harder’s generous gifts of her expertise and time allow us to validate the effectiveness of the kinds of therapy that YWCA Omaha offers in ways that develop further professional credibility, strengthen the positive impact our therapy programs have on the community, and expand our impact beyond our immediate community even to a national level.”
MSW Student Published in Child/Adolescent Journal
An article by MSW student, Renee (van Gerpen) Mattox and Dr. Jeanette Harder entitled, “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Diverse Populations” was published in the April 2007 issue of Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. Mattox and Harder co-authored the article, which sprang from a series of papers that Mattox wrote for Harder’s “Social Work Practice with Children” course in the Spring of 2005.
SW Students to Present at NASW-NE Conference
MSW students Jodi Gabel, Erin O’Neill, and Stephanie Huckins are completing a qualitative research project on “Perceptions of Faith Leaders and Service Providers on the Prevention of Child Abuse.” They will be presenting their work at the NASW-Nebraska conference on October 5, as well as at a symposium in November.
BSSW Students Assist Professor in Publication of Manual
BSW students, Sarah Cox, Jenna Grotelueschen, Doreen Simpson, and Mandy Lozier, assisted Dr. Jeanette Harder in preparing a manuscript entitled, “Teaching and learning social work practice skills through the use of triads.” This article is due to be published soon in The Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work.
Earlier this year, the School of Social Work became one of thirty-five Schools to receive the Practicum Partnership Program (PPP) grant. The program was created by the New York Academy of Medicine’s Social Work Leadership Institute with support from the John A. Hartford Foundation. Grants are awarded to institutions as an opportunity to increase MSW practicum placements in gerontology-related settings in an effort to expose students to aging-related issues. It is the intention of the program to create the next generation of competent geriatric social workers.
UNO’s PPP is better known as the L.E.G.E.N.D.S. (Learning Experience with the Geriatric Elderly Needing Delivery Systems) program. L.E.G.E.N.D.S. created practicum partnerships with three community agencies servicing Nebraska’s aging population: Heartland Family Service, Adult Protective Services and Brookstone.
Through this grant, the School of Social Work hired Tanya Seina as the PPP Coordinator. A 1997 graduate of UNO’s MSW program, Tanya was delighted to return to the School in her newest capacity, “It has been really wonderful to see all my former professors again. I enjoyed my experience here [sic] in the MSW program immensely.”
Through this grant, Tanya is responsible for providing weekly supervision for some of the School’s PPP practicum students. She also coordinates seminars and field-trips for these students between their geriatric rotations. Finally, she is required to recruit 2 or 3 more agencies and additional practicum students for the following year. She has the following to say regarding these new responsibilities and her first impressions, “The job thus far is great! I think it is very important work to help train geriatric social workers and the program is designed so well to accomplish this goal. I am very honored to be a part of something so important and vital for our future.”
Welcome to the School of Social Work, Tanya!
Kudos to Dr. Karen Rolf for the acceptance of, The Effect of Children's Health Status on Family Economic Well-Being, by the Society for Social Work Research! This competitive research conference takes place in San Francisco from January 11, 2007-January 14, 2007. For additional information, visit their website at www.sswr.org/conferences.php.
Barron-McKeagney is an NU Pioneer with Purpose
Dr. Theresa Barron-McKeagney
was selected by NU President Dennis Smith as an NU Pioneer with
Purpose. The Pioneer distinction is given to those faculty and staff
members who exemplify the idea that academia is more than an exercise,
but also an opportunity to participate in programs that actually
improve the human condition. Dr. Barron-McKeagney received this
designation for her work with the Aguante Project. For more information
on the Pioneers with Purpose program go to http://www.nebraska.edu/about/about_pioneers.asp.
Click on image to view a larger version.
BSW Student Shellie Zych Won an Essay Contest Entitled, "I am a social worker because" in Senior Seminar
Ever since I was a teenager, I always wanted a unique profession rich with meaning, action, and the power to make a difference. That was then, and this is now…I am a social worker.
I am a social worker because I am devoted to helping people function to the best of their abilities within their environment, selflessly putting other people first in order to better those people’s environment or state of mind. I will go beyond helping a client express their feelings about a situation; I will help clients realize a solution and empower them to create an overall plan of action.
I am a social worker because I am committed to promoting social and economic justice. I possess the characteristic of giving client’s a unique helping touch with their concerns. To better the life of one individual through my social service is very appealing and ensures a satisfying life.
I am a social worker because I am trained with the knowledge, ethics, and skills necessary to serve individuals, families, organizations and communities. My education in the Bachelors of Social Work has not only taught me the principles, theories, and terminology, but to continue learning and exploring new avenues that may lead to the betterment of individuals and the society in which they live.
School of Social Work Policy Forum
Dr. Henry D'Souza of the School of Social Work has established an online policy discussion forum (via Blackboard) called the UNO School of Social Work Policy Forum. This online discussion allows for ongoing learning and dialogue between registered social work students and faculty at UNO.
Main forum topics include Oppression, Economic and Social Welfare Reform Issues, Foreign Policy and War, Environmental and General Discussion. Participants can post articles or questions and respond to one another regarding forum material. Please log onto Blackboard and check it out!
Instructions to sign up for this online organization and enter the dialogue:
Click the Community tab.
Click the Browse Organization Catalog link at the bottom.
Type the name of the organization (UNO School of Social Work Policy
Forum)
Under "Search for an organization," and click "Go".
When the UNO SW Policy Forum is located, click on the "Enroll"
button to the right of the organization listing.
At the "Enroll in..." form, type the password (socialwork)
under "Access Code", and click on the "Submit"
button.
Once you complete these steps, you are now enrolled as a member of the organization, and will see it in your "My Organizations" window.
For questions or assistance, please contact Dr. D'Souza at hdsouza@mail.unomaha.edu.
LEGENDS Luncheon was a Success!
Left to Right: Brian Cramer, Carrie Pedersen, Jodi Studnicka, Tanya Seina, Senator Gwen Howard, Dr. Theresa Barron-McKeagney, Rachel Battiato, Michele Clair
On Friday, April 11, 2008, the UNO School of Social Work hosted a LEGENDS Luncheon to honor agencies of excellence and LEGENDS scholars. Senator Gwen Howard was in attendance to show her support and help celebrate another successful year of the program. LEGENDS has a strong focus on collaboration between the school and community partners. Dedicated scholars benefit from having three different rotations during their practicum experience.
Eleventh Annual Gandhi Award and Symposium
The School of Social Work hosted the Eleventh Annual Gandhi Award and Symposium on Friday, April 4, 2008. The recipient of the award was Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach. Susanne Blue, Executive Director, accepted the award. The symposium was by Michael Petit who spoke about making issues for children a political priority for 2008.
Left to right: Dr. Theresa Barron-McKeagney,
Senator Gwen Howard, Susanne Blue, and Michael Petit