Financial Social Work Initiative

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.

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

Financial Stability for Individuals, Families, and Communities (SWOA 738/SWCL 738)

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.

Practicum Education

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.

Financial Social Work Certificate

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.

Continuing Professional Education Workshops

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

16Oct
5:00 PM | Hybrid | USG BLDG IV - Room 4335 & Zoom available Attend our free Financial Workshop, co-hosted with the Financial Social Work Initiative (FSWI).
14Nov
1:00 PM | Virtual This workshop equips social workers with tools to recognize, assess, and navigate clients' financial networks, where money and resources are shared within families and communities.

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.

Financial Social Work Video Playlist

Publications and Presentations

FSWI Contacts

Seante Hatcher Headshot

Seante Hatcher, LCSW-C
Assistant Dean, Continuing Professional Education
Chair, Financial Social Work Initiative

Meg Woodside

Meg Woodside, MBA, MSW
Trustee, The Woodside Foundation
Founding Financial Social Work Initiative Chair.

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