SSW News
Visit these various links for the latest news and notes from the School of Social Work
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Matt Conn
Assistant Dean for Communications
410-706-4542
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Graphic Designer
410-706-3525
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Mailing Address
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Afkinich Honored with 2021 SSWR Outstanding Social Work Doctoral Dissertation Award in the news
January 12, 2021 | Jenny Afkinich, PhD, has been named the recipient of the 2021 Society for Social Work and Research Outstanding Social Work Doctoral Dissertation Award.
The mental health field is overwhelmingly White. SSW helping to change that. in the news
December 10, 2020 | The Healing Youth Alliance was created through a partnership between the Black Mental Health Alliance, the University of Maryland School of Social Work and a Baltimore-based nonprofit organization.
Training Institutes LIVE Virtual Series
December 8, 2020 | We are excited to announce the launch of a FREE monthly Training Institutes LIVE! virtual series. Each month, choose two from four virtual 90-minute workshops focused on integrating services and impro
On the Front Lines: UMB Champions of Excellence Promise Heights Team, School of Social Work
December 8, 2020 | How does a program focused primarily on aiding children and families in West Baltimore conduct its human services work during a pandemic, when in-person interactions are no longer the norm?
Meet Dean Judy L. Postmus in the news
November 5, 2020 | It is our hope that this short video will help you get to know our new dean, her vision, and plans for the School as we all come together to make Baltimore and the world around us a better place.
Ceasefire Black Entrepreneurs Virtual Showcase in the news
November 4, 2020 | Please visit the Showcase website to support Baltimore City Black Entrepreneurs!
Reunification of Families with Children in Foster Care is Focus of SSW Institute Grant Award in the news
October 29, 2020 | Children's Bureau Provides Funding for Establishing a National Quality Improvement Center to Improve Well-being of Families with Children in Foster Care
We Are Hiring Open Rank Faculty Positions in the news
October 27, 2020 | Applications are now being accepted for tenure track faculty positions at the assistant, associate, or full professor level at the University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW).
SSW Listed Among Best Universities Addressing Human Trafficking
October 15, 2020 | The 26 Best Universities Fighting Human Trafficking is a list of the best universities located in the U.S. that are studying and fighting human trafficking.
Jodi Frey Pens Article for Harvard Business Review on Using EAP to Address Racism at Work
October 15, 2020 | Jodi Jacobson Frey, PhD, LCSW-C, is the author of an article in the Harvard Business Review that explores how Employee Assistance Programs can help companies address racism at work.
Wasserman appointed to the Maryland State Department of Education’s Inclusion Leadership Team in the news
October 15, 2020 | Kate Wasserman appointed to the Maryland State Department of Education’s Inclusion Leadership Team.
Critical Convos
September 11, 2020 | The “Critical Convo” events look to create dialogue and facilitate conversations on critical topics relating to social work education, research and the role of the profession in the community and...
Thursz Lecture Election Tuesday Series
August 31, 2020 | This series of three events will explore if, how, and why elections matter. If they matter to what purpose? How can elections be used to effect change? What are some of the differences between work...
Graham Receives 2020 NVDRS New Investigator Award in the news
July 14, 2020 | Graham's project will focus on learning more about intimate partner violence-related deaths among young people ages 0–25 years in the United States.
Postmus Begins as Next Dean of the SSW in the news
July 1, 2020 | Postmus Begins as Next Dean of the SSW
Homecoming June 22: Social Work in the Workplace in the news
June 11, 2020 | UMSSW’s Homecoming Goes Virtual! Social Work in the Workplace: Turning the Tables on Critical Conversations Monday, June 22 from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Alumni On the Frontlines of COVID-19
June 5, 2020 | We salute and support our alumni on the frontlines: Dolly Huffman Clayton, MSW ‘00, Allison Deitz, LMSW, MSW '18, Amy Greensfelder, MSW '17, Robin McKinney, MSW '01, Sara Johnson, MSW '02, Kendra Van-
An Important Message from UMSSW Dean Richard Barth
June 2, 2020 | I am profoundly and deeply pained by the murders of our African American brothers and sisters. The police shootings of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, George Floyd in Minneapolis, Tony McDade...
Postmus to Lead School of Social Work in the news
April 28, 2020 | On July 1, School of Social Work will have a new dean, Judy L. Postmus. Dr. Postmus is Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development at the Rutgers University School of Social Work.
Series Designed to Support Providers of Children’s Services in the news
April 21, 2020 | The Institute’s series designed to support providers of children’s services.
Dean Barth Delivers 2020 State of the School in the news
April 16, 2020 | Dean Richard Barth took to the web to deliver his final State of the School Address.
Stay Informed on the Coronavirus' Impact on UMB and SSW in the news
March 10, 2020 | Stay Informed on the Coronavirus' Impact on UMB and SSW
POSTPONED: Institute's 15th Anniversary Event and Daniel Thursz Lecture in the news
March 9, 2020 | POSTPONED: The Institute for Innovation & Implementation 15th anniversary event and Daniel Thursz Lecture will be held Thursday, April 2, 2020 at 4 p.m.
New SSW/UMB Research in JAMA Shows Extent of Opioid Issues in Hospice Care in the news
February 13, 2020 | Given the challenges of symptom management during hospice care, patients require responsive opioid prescribing.
POSTPONED: UMSSW’s 14th Annual Homecoming
February 6, 2020 | EVENT POSTPONED: Celebrating 40 Years of EAP: Employee Assistance Education and Research
Greif Inducted Into American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare in the news
January 16, 2020 | The American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare welcomes 19 new Fellows for the Class of 2020, including the School of Social Work Professor Geoff Greif, PhD.
Shdaimah SSW's Thursz Distinguished Professor of Social Justice in the news
January 8, 2020 | Corey Shdaimah, LL.M., PhD, has been installed as the University of Maryland School of Social Work’s Daniel Thursz Distinguished Professor for Socia
Heather McGhee Highlights Next Thursz Social Justice Lecture in the news
November 25, 2019 | Join us December 2 for a compelling presentation titled "Who Are We As Americans? Confronting Hard Truths and Healing for the Future."
UMB-Haifa Partnership Continues to Thrive in the news
November 25, 2019 | In 2013, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Jay A. Perman, MD, accompanied former Gov. Martin O’Malley on a trip to Israel. It was Perman’s first trip to the Middle Eastern country.
2020 Training Institutes: Register now for early bird savings!
November 15, 2019 | Join 2,000 colleagues in Orlando!
BHWISE Lifespan & BHWISE IOWA Holding Info Sessions for Fellowship Recruitment
November 7, 2019 | The BHWISE Lifespan Fellowship will recruit and train 30 advanced-year MSW students, BHWISE-IOWA will train 11 social work students alongside 4 psychiatric nurse practitioner students and...
School of Social Work Names Prized Professorship in the news
September 20, 2019 | The University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) welcomes Brenda Jones Harden, PhD, MSW, as the school’s first Alison Richman Professor for Children and Families.
Search Committee Announced for New UMSSW Dean in the news
September 13, 2019 | A committee has been established to help in the search for a new Dean at the UMSSW.
Rick Barth Announces Plans to Step Down as SSW Dean in the news
August 23, 2019 | I am proud to have been part of the many accomplishments we have achieved together during these years.
The Impact of Drug Court Participation on Mortality in the news
August 13, 2019 | Research Assistant Professor Brook Kearley is the lead author of this new, important research
SSW Receives Major $1.35M Opioid Grant for High-Need Areas
August 13, 2019 | SSW to Train Social Workers, Psych Nurse Practitioners, and Addiction Psychiatrists to Address the Opioid Crisis in High-need Areas
Call for Proposals: The 2020 Training Institutes in the news
August 12, 2019 | #WhatCouldBe: Bolder Systems & Brighter Futures for Children, Youth, Young Adults & their Families
Rick Barth Stepping Down as SSW Dean in the news
July 20, 2019 | I write to share with you that Richard P. Barth, PhD, MSW, dean of the School of Social Work (SSW), has decided to step down by the end of the 2019-20 academic year.
Join Us August 1 for a MSW Information Session in the news
July 19, 2019 | Visit our Baltimore campus to learn about our MSW program!
New MSW Field Seminar Launches This Fall in the news
May 14, 2019 | The University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) launches a new field seminar experience for students beginning their MSW course work this fall.
President’s Fellows Propose Steps to Curb Gun Violence in the news
May 2, 2019 | President’s Fellows Propose Steps to Curb Gun Violence
Inspiring Students to Paint Their Own Futures in the news
April 15, 2019 | “One. … Two. … Three. … Let’s paint!” exclaimed Tammatha Woodhouse, the principal of Renaissance Academy High School.
Mikulski to Students: Don’t Give up, Don’t Give In in the news
April 12, 2019 | Former Sen. Barbara Mikulski, MSW ’65, shared her passion for the University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW), and advice for new social workers starting out in their careers.
UMB and Promise Heights Students Take a Tasteful Course in Etiquette in the news
April 11, 2019 | The etiquette dinner table gathering invites students from Renaissance Academy High School and the University of Maryland to include good tables manners on their path to success.
Register Now: Child and Family Services Evaluation: Partnerships in the Era of Family First
April 1, 2019 | The members of the National Human Services Training Evaluation Symposium are pleased to announce the 22nd Annual National Human Services Training Evaluation Symposium.
One woman grew up in Brazil eyeing the stars and a career in astronomy. in the news
April 1, 2019 | One woman grew up in Brazil eyeing the stars and a career in astronomy.
US News & World Reports Ranks the UMSSW 17th in the news
March 15, 2019 | The University of Maryland School of Social Work is ranked 17th out of 262 programs surveyed.
School Welcomes Nine New Faculty Members in the news
March 11, 2019 | A diverse and world-class collection of mentors, leaders and educators bring a broad array of experiences and knowledge to the School of Social Work. We are pleased and proud to welcome them all!
Watch the Homecoming Livestream Panel Discussion in the news
March 8, 2019 | Watch the Homecoming Livestream Panel Discussion
Homecoming March 8 - Addressing Addiction in the news
February 12, 2019 | KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Vickie Walters, LCSW, MSW, ’88 Addressing Addiction: Innovations in Substance Use Services
Everything is Wonderful: Dramatic Action - Forgiveness in Community in the news
February 12, 2019 | Join Everyman Theatre in partnership with University of Maryland School of Social Work for an examination of key themes and questions posed by Everything is Wonderful by Chelsea Marcantel.
Institute Partners with Biden Foundation for New LGBTQ Initiative in the news
January 23, 2019 | "As You Are" New LGBTQ Initiative from Biden Foundation and SSW Institute for Innovation & Implementation
PARI & The Healthy Teen Network are spreading Human Trafficking Awareness
January 18, 2019 | The Prevention of Adolescent Risks Initiative and The Healthy Teen Network have teamed up to create Human Trafficking Awareness Resources.
Promise Heights Praised as UMB Wins Award
December 17, 2018 | The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) has honored the University of Maryland, Baltimore, (UMB) as a recipient of the 2018 Mayor’s Business Recognition Award.
School Named HEED Diversity Award Winner
December 6, 2018 | The School of Social Work has been recognized for its commitment to diversity by INSIGHT Into Diversity.
First Cohort Completes Financial Social Work Certificate Program
December 6, 2018 | Congratulations to the first cohort of participants who completed the first Financial Social Work Certificate Program at UMSSW!
Mikulski Talks Social Work Roots, DC Politics in the news
November 30, 2018 | Barbara Mikulski, MSW ’65, was a social worker before launching her legendary and pioneering 45-year political career, but she doesn’t consider it a former job.
Panel Shares Opioid Insights at Baltimore County Forum in the news
November 26, 2018 | During a series of panel discussions on how best to address the opioid crisis, one factor has arisen repeatedly. It is stigma.
Panel in Montgomery County Explores Opioid Solutions in the news
October 31, 2018 | Soon after dozens of people had come together at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) for a panel discussion on the opioid crisis, they heard Maryland’s grim statistics for 2017.
FSWI Founder Woodside Honored by UMB in the news
October 19, 2018 | FSWI Founder Woodside Honored by UMB
UMB States Its Case at Founders Week Gala in the news
October 18, 2018 | “Taking Care of Maryland” was the theme of the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s 23rd annual Founders Week Gala.
Panel on Opioids Shares Insights in Howard County in the news
October 15, 2018 | A group of faculty members at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) who have expertise in multiple aspects of addiction research, education, and services took their knowledge into Columbia, Md.
SWCOS Program Part of GMA Story in the news
October 9, 2018 | SWCOS' Social Work in the Library program part of a story on Enoch Pratt Free Libraries.
OSI-supported Positive Schools Center creates series of training videos in the news
October 8, 2018 | Positive Schools Center (PSC) of the University of Maryland School of Social Work, an initiative funded by a multi-year grant from Open Society Institute, recently created a series of training videos
Social Work Students to Serve in Three More Libraries in the news
October 3, 2018 | “We are so proud to be launching another year of the successful Social Worker in the Library program,”
UMB’s Promise Heights Initiative Receives $30M Grant from U.S. Dept. of Ed. in the news, press release
September 14, 2018 | UMB’s Promise Heights Initiative Receives $30M Grant from U.S. Dept. of Ed.
Apply Now for Your MSW Degree! in the news
September 4, 2018 | Applications for 2019 Academic year Now Open!
Strengthening Society through Stronger Parenting in the news
August 27, 2018 | Strengthening Society through Stronger Parenting
Beauty In The Eye of The Stakeholder in the news
August 3, 2018 | What was once a dull corner of concrete outside of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary School on West Preston Street is now brightened by pink and purple petunias.
Beloved Former Faculty Member Len Press Passes Away in the news
August 2, 2018 | Beloved former faculty member Len Press passed away in late July.
Register Now for Our Fall Continuing Ed Courses in the news
August 1, 2018 | Take advantage of our wide variety of course offerings!
Immigration Issues Statement from Dean Barth in the news
June 18, 2018 | Immigration Issues Statement from Dean Barth
Get to Know Emma - Our Blogger in Brazil in the news
June 14, 2018 | Hey there! I’m Emma and I’m one of the UMB School of Social Work (SSW) students participating in the independent study in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
Former NHL Goalie Shares Journey Battling Depression, OCD in the news
June 6, 2018 | Suicide does not discriminate. Just ask Clint Malarchuk, former National Hockey League goaltender, who struggled not only with suicide but also depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Congressional Briefing June 6 with the SSW's Tuten in the news
May 30, 2018 | Please join NASW for a Congressional Briefing that will highlight the many ways that social workers are involved in responding to the opioid crisis.
UMB Panel Shares Opioids Expertise in Anne Arundel in the news
April 30, 2018 | The panel members described the university’s efforts to bring science to a field in which evidence-based practices are often lacking.
SSW Mourns the Passing of Donna Harrington in the news
April 2, 2018 | Professor and former Associate Dean for Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Education Donna Harrington as passed away.
SWCOS' 25th Anniversary & Thursz Lecture in the news
March 29, 2018 | Spring 2018 Daniel Thursz Lecture on Social Justice Celebrates 25 Years of SWCOS!
March is Social Work Month and our annual fundraising effort, All Gifts Count! in the news
March 2, 2018 | March is Social Work Month and our annual fundraising effort, All Gifts Count!
Four Sites Designated for Foster Care Grant in the news
February 21, 2018 | Four Sites Designated for UM School of Social Work Institute Grant Assisting Children and Youth who Identify as LGBTQ2S in Foster Care
Maryland's Carlton-LaNey Named NC Social Worker of the Year in the news
February 14, 2018 | The National Association of Social Workers North Carolina Chapter (NASW-NC) has named Iris Carlton-LaNey the 2018 Social Worker of the Year.
Exploring Harm Reduction in Baltimore in the news
February 1, 2018 | Intro to Harm Reduction and Diverting Drug Users to Treatment with Baltimore City’s LEAD Program
Meet Faculty Member Fernando Wagner in the news
January 23, 2018 | University of Maryland School of Social Work Professor Fernando Wagner tells us a little about himself, his work, and more in this short faculty profile.
Meet Faculty Member Ericka Lewis in the news
January 11, 2018 | University of Maryland School of Social Work Assistant Professor Ericka Lewis tells us a little about herself, her work, and more in this short faculty profile.
School's Jody Olsen Chosen to Lead Peace Corps in the news
January 4, 2018 | The White House announced Jan. 3 that President Trump will nominate Jody Olsen, PhD, MSW, a visiting professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work to be director of the Peace Corps.
Faculty Spotlight: Christine Callahan in the news
December 4, 2017 | Financial social work research helps empower low-income families to work toward their goals
Wen to Social Workers: Addiction Stigma Must End in the news
November 28, 2017 | Focusing on early intervention. Telling compelling stories. Fighting stigma with science.
Harrington Earns GADE Award for Mentoring in the news
November 9, 2017 | Professor Donna Harrington, PhD, recently was selected as winner of the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE) Award for Excellence in Mentoring of Doctoral Students.
University of Maryland, PGPD Receive $1.3M Grant to Aid Human Trafficking Victims in the news
October 26, 2017 | A joint three-year grant to coordinate work to fight human trafficking in Prince George’s County, Md.
Faculty Spotlight: Lisa Berlin in the news
October 25, 2017 | Preparing children for healthy emotional and behavioral development
UMB Students Seize Opportunity to Help in the news
October 16, 2017 | UMB Students Seize Opportunity to Help
Collins to Receive CSWE Honor in the news
October 12, 2017 | This month, the SSW's Kathryn Collins will be presented the Distinguished Recent Contributions to Social Work Education Award by the Council on Social Work Education.
Video Spotlight: Fernando Wagner in the news
October 1, 2017 | Meet new faculty member Fernando Wagner
Social workers now offering services at Enoch Pratt libraries in the news
September 27, 2017 | Social workers now available at four branches of the Enoch Pratt Free Library.
Behavioral Health Program Expanding in the news
September 19, 2017 | Behavioral Health Program at SSW to Expand to 120 Students - $10,000 Stipends