The Financial Social Work Initiative (FSWI) at the University of Maryland School of Social Work was founded in 2008 in growing recognition that addressing financial realities is more important than ever in people’s lives and in the social work profession, which serves those in need. Through the development of direct service initiatives, educational content, capacity building, and evidence-based practice, the FSWI enhances the unique and longstanding role social workers possess in helping clients and communities stabilize and improve their outcomes and quality of life.
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Financial Social Work Initiative
- The Center for Behavioral Health & Well-Being Research
- The Center for Restorative Change
- Daniel Thursz Social Justice Endowed Chair and Initiatives
- Family Trauma Research Assessment Education and Treatment
- Family Welfare Research and Training Group
- Financial Social Work Initiative
- Prevention of Adolescent Risks Initiative
- The Institute for Innovation and Implementation
FSWI Focus Areas
- Direct service with individuals and families, employing assessments and interventions that strengthen both their psychosocial and economic assets to help build or rebuild financial security.
- Working with communities, helping to reduce predatory financial practices and promoting access to affordable credit, appropriate financial products, and available public benefits and economic support.
- Policy advocacy to create an environment in which larger scale financial system issues are addressed with particular attention to the interests of vulnerable and under-served populations.
Financial Social Work Academics and Continuing Professional Education
This is an advanced course for clinical and macro MSW students at the UMSSW. It examines barriers to, and opportunities for, the financial stability of individuals, families, and the impact of low wealth in communities. The course uses a comprehensive approach examining social programs and direct practice interventions, financial services, and policies that can move individuals, families, and communities along the asset-building
continuum. Policy issues include savings, consumer protection, tax credits, public benefits, and innovative programs; practice issues include financial assessment and goal setting, financial coaching, and integrating financial interventions with traditional psychosocial interventions.
UMSSW offers clinical and macro practicum placement opportunities for MSW students that incorporate financial social work. Agencies with a focus in Financial Social Work are welcome to apply to provide practicum instruction to our social work students. Learn more about Practicum.
UMSSW’s Financial Social Work Certificate Program is a cohort-based, online program that meets an identified need for greater financial capability and empowerment of knowledge on the part of social workers and professionals who practice in a variety of professions. Participants will participate in sixteen half-day sessions over the course of 7 months that will feature guest speakers and experts in financial social work. Learn more.
UMSSW’s Office of Continuing Professional Education offers several financial social work workshops with continuing education units (CEUs) for professionals. Discounts and group rates may be available. Learn more about CPE.
Upcoming Events
Related Content
UMSSW alumnus and FSWI Steering Committee member Dr. Jeffrey Anvari-Clark published “Financial Health is Behavioral Health: Enhancing Integrated Care Practice” in The Journal of Evidenced-Based Social Work on August 7, 2025.
FSWI Contacts
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