TABLE OF CONTENTS

Notes from the Director 2

Students In Service 3

Honors & Awards 4

Grand Challenges 5

Practicum Placements 6

Student Projects 8

Finding Jenn’s Voice 9

Alumni Spotlight 10

Poetry Contest 11

Communities In Service 12

Social Workers of Color 14

Faculty In Service 15

Alumni In Service 16-19

http://clas.uiowa.edu/socialwork

THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK SPRING 2016

InseRvIce

School of Social Work students partnered with Iowa United Nations to

organize fundraising walks in Iowa City, Des Moines and Sioux City to benefit

refugees. Story on page 13.

Left to right: DMACC volunteer, Rhonda Greenway, Emily Harmon, Jim Olson, Zana Bajric, Lagi Roberts, Jade Howser,

Julie Mass, Shelby Ridley and Christina Vogel (and daughter)

2 2.

From the Director...

It is hard to believe that the 2015-2016 academic year is about to come to a close. Students across our Centers have once again made us proud as they have assumed faculty positions at top universities, are joining teams of social workers in hospitals, mental health centers, community based agencies, and many other settings, and are pursuing additional education in social work throughout the country. Our alumni are also representing The University of Iowa, School of Social Work in all 50 states and in over 30 countries. For instance in Portland Oregon, Joelle Osterhaus, MSW (2008) is the Hospice and Home-based Palliative Care Psychosocial Services Supervisor at Kaiser Permanente. In Baltimore, Maryland, Fernando Mena-Carrasco (2010) built on his MSW and became a nurse practitioner and is now using both his social work and nursing background to help patients and families at John Hopkins University Hospital. In Chicago, we have the three Caton siblings, Gina (BA 2004), Charlie (BA 2007), and Sarah (MSW 2007) who are all serving youth in the schools. And at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. Catherine Burnette (PhD 2013) is becoming a national expert in addressing domestic violence among Native populations. It is great to see Hawkeyes addressing the social issues that prevent people and communities from being whole. As I think about the next group of social workers soon to enter the field, I am reminded about why I became a social worker. I remember sitting on a band bus my junior year of high school in Philadelphia watching a homeless gentleman pick out of the trash a half-eaten banana I had just discarded. I wondered when had this gentleman previously eaten and when he would get his next meal. I also remember the feelings of despair that I experienced as I

saw children from Cambodia on television or on the cover of National Geographic without the food needed to sustain their little bodies. These are just two of the many reasons I entered college knowing social work was the career for me. But it was not until I entered the field that I fully realized the critical work that I was about to engage in and how my own personal biases had the potential to impact my relationship with clients. One of our most important social work values is that of self-determination and recognizing the importance of the concept of “choice.” As a BSW student at St. Olaf College I grappled with the notion of people making choices that I had deemed “bad” or choices that I had valued as “not the best for them.” These value laden stances were driven from my own privilege and my own lack of awareness of how that privilege shaped many of the comments and thoughts I experienced. What I quickly learned as I entered the field is that the way I classified a “good” or a “bad” choice had little relevance as it was the client’s definition of “good” or “bad” that mattered. I had to become aware of how my own privilege impacted my ability to see a complete picture of my client’s circumstances and how they made choices that were best for them. I learned quickly that my goal, and more importantly my responsibility as a social worker, was to advocate for the choices that were best for the person, family or community that I was serving. Finally, I learned that many times our clients do not have the resources to choose something different because of the oppressive structures that exist in our society.

Thus, I had the obligation to advocate for those structures to change so my clients, such as the homeless man or the children from Cambodia, had a different choice for their future. Our graduating students also share this sense of obligation around issues of self-determination and advocacy. Some demonstrate this obligation by traveling to Portland, Oregon to study poverty and substance abuse through the eyes of those living in these situations. Others journey to India to learn about disabilities, women’s rights, and service provision as they work side by side professionals and clients. Our students serve children, older adults, the homeless, and many other populations throughout the state of Iowa by embedding themselves in agencies and in institutions and in various social movements. Our students demonstrate this obligation by becoming involved in issues of oppression in the community and on campus and advocating for oppressive structures to change. Soon these students will become like the alumni highlighted above, working throughout the United States and world fighting for social justice, basic human rights, and to change the oppressive structures that keep people from reaching their full potential. I would like to personally congratulate those students who are graduating from The University of Iowa, School of Social Work. I ask that you please keep in touch so we know how you are working as change agents collaborating with others for a just society. We couldn’t be more proud of you! Thank you for your ongoing support of the School of Social Work. Through your gifts we are able to continue to expand our work with students.

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I am doing my field placement at First Step which is an intensive out-patient treatment facility whose primary focus is on co-occurring disorders. Research has found that treating both substance abuse and mental

health simultaneously can reduce the rate of relapse and help patients to identify their own triggers that may lead to relapse. Not all the patients we see have a co-occurring disorder, however the treatment objective is the same for both mental illness and substance abuse-to prevent relapse. First Step treats adults and adolescents in both group and individual settings. My role at First Step consists of co-facilitating one group session daily and sitting in on one to one sessions with my supervisor. I recently took on my own patient and have been working on setting individual treatment goals with him as well as addressing stressors in his life that may lead to relapse. What the field of social work brings to the agency is what we are taught in the classroom. As social workers we can help to educate other counselors, if needed, about systems theory or social learning theory, as well as practicing from a strengths based perspective. Each counselor operates from their own personal code of ethics and morals. As social workers we also have the NASW Code of Ethics and Core Competencies to help serve as a guide for our daily practice should we face any ethical dilemmas. I have found that the importance of being a culturally competent social worker has been greatly beneficial when working with a diverse population and understanding why two patients may react differently to the same topic. We can help to advocate for our

Students in Service

clients should they need assistance with certain resources. Elizabeth Hoifeldt, BA student , Des Moines

I am completing my advanced practicum with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. The ARL serves people and pets within the community through several programs including humane education and animal cruelty intervention. They advocate tirelessly on both the local and state level to create and strengthen laws that impact animal welfare and their dedication and commitment to the community is evident through their community recognition and awards they have received. As a social worker with 15 years of experience, I have witnessed the link between animal abuse and human violence. There is a clear need to address this link within our community. Animal abuse is now considered a sentinel indicator and often the first sign of other family and community violence. As the first social worker working with the ARL, I am helping to create a community coalition to strengthen communication among key community members that work with animals, children and families affected by violence. Our goal is to create a program for cross training and cross reporting among the key community members in order to create opportunities for early intervention in an attempt to break the cycle of violence. Traci Rudolf-Hanrahan, MSW student, Des Moines

Traci Rudolf-Hanrahan with her practicum supervisor, Josh Colvin, Animal Care and Control Manager for the city of Des Moines.

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Congratulations to our very own India Winterim study abroad program, recipient of the prestigious 2016 Institute of International Education (IIE)

Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in Interna-tional Education. IIE's Heiskell Awards showcase the most innovative and successful models for internationalizing the campus, study abroad, and international partnership programs in practice today, with a particular emphasis on initiatives that remove institutional barriers and broaden the base of participation in study abroad and promote international teaching and learning on campus.

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the India Winterim program, with over 1,000 students and faculty participating since its inauguration. Geographical and Sustainability Sciences Professor Raj Rajagopal, creator of the India Winterim program, and International Programs' Assistant Provost Doug Lee accepted the award at a ceremony in Davis, California, in March.

Honors and Awards

http://clas.uiowa.edu/socialwork

Sherry Werkmeister Gaskins, Sioux City MSW student, has been awarded the NASW-SD’s 2016 Scholarship. “In a new role as the President of the Bon Homme County Child Protection Team, Sherry plans to pursue how South Dakota counties can better access available State resources and then advocate for more.” Julia Kleinschmit

Dr. Chen Qi is a visiting scholar with the School for a year, through Sept. 2016. He was born in 1978, in Jingmen Hubei Province, and holds a doctor of law degree. He is an associate professor and research-er in the Hubei Social Development and Social

Policy Research Center. The Center is a Key Research Base of Humanity and Social Sciences in Hubei Province. Major research areas of Dr. Chen Qi are: Social policy, anti-poverty theory and practice, developmental sociology, HIV/AIDS, and social work. His stay in Iowa is being funded by a national grant. Dr. Qi has been attending social work classes and working on his English. He is married and has one daughter.

Meredith Stensland has been named a Ballard Seashore Dissertation Fellow by the University of Iowa. This is a very prestigious and competitive financial award, and I am so pleased that Meredith is being recognized

for her outstanding proposal. -Carol Coohey

Associate Professor Mercedes Bern-Klug was named the NASW 2015 winner of the Knee-Wittman Outstanding Achievement Award. The award recognizes an individual or group that has had a signifi-

cant impact on national health and/or mental health public policy, professionals standards or exemplary program models.

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The University of Iowa, School of Social Work is joining with Universities throughout the country to participate in the Grand Challenges for Social Work. The purpose of the Grand Challenge is to mobilize social workers in practice and research to address the big issues that are facing society. The hope is that through innovative interventions, imaginative programming, and increased collaboration and focus, the issues keeping populations in oppressed states can be addressed. The 12 Grand Challenges include: Ensure healthy development for all youth Close the health gap Stop family violence Advance long and productive lives Eradicate social isolation End homelessness Create social responses to a changing

environment Harness technology for social good Promote smart decarceration Build financial capacity for all Reduce extreme economic inequality Achieve equal opportunity and justice The School of Social Work is interested in partnering with organizations, state departments, and other institutions to discuss ways to work together in addressing these Grand Challenges in Iowa. We invite you to look at the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare website for more information on the Grand Challenges for Social Work initiative. Please contact Jefri Palermo or Dr. Sara Sanders to discuss ways that you can get involved in the work of the Grand Challenges. All of us working together can strengthen the society for all.

Research Policy Practice Ethics Cultural Intelligence

Taking the Lead:

Social Work’s Grand Challenges in Iowa

SAVE THE DATE!

Friday, November 11, 2016 Iowa City, IA

http://clas.uiowa.edu/socialwork/

Sara Sanders & Robin Winter-Odem met in Chicago to discuss the Jean H. Winter and Robin Winter Odem Award.

School of Social Work

July 15-18, 2016 Iowa City, IA

Understand how writing can be used as a professional tool in human service work as counselors, educators, advocates, re-searchers and social work practitioners.

Improve creative writing skill in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, essays, blogs etc.

Guest speakers share experiences with pro-jects related to creative writing for social change, journaling for personal growth, and using the written word as a tool for enhanc-ing social justice.

http://clas.uiowa.edu/socialwork

Creative Writing Seminar for Social Workers

7 contact hours of continuing education

http://clas.uiowa.edu/socialwork

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Alumni and Community In Service

Thank you to all of the individuals and agencies who give our students opportunities to learn the skills and behaviors necessary to becoming a professional social worker. They could not succeed without you. Below is a list of field sites and supervisors who hosted students during the 2015-2016 fall and spring semesters.

Supervisor Field Site Supervisor Field Site

Abboud, Mary Iowa City Housing Authority Family Self-Sufficiency Prog.

Alvarez, Gladys Orchard Place - Child Guidance Center

Amsler, Laura Des Moines Public Schools - SUCCESS

Anderson, Kimberly University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Andrlik, Bob Table-to-Table

Armstrong, Theresa Iowa DHS - Central Office

Avery, Beth Iowa DHS - Polk/Story County

Beauregard, Lance Dept of Correctional Services-Johnson County

Beck, Tara Waypoint Services for Women, Children and Families

Beirman, Shawn Des Moines Public Schools

Bentler, Suzanne The University of Iowa Public Policy Center

Bergmark, Kristina Lexington Regional Health Center

Bernstrom, David Family Resources

Betsworth, Kelly Youth Homes of Mid-America

Bisom, Lisa Rock Island-Milan School District

Bitel, Kelly Family Resources Inc

Black, Joan Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa

Bles, Julie YESS: Youth Emergency Services and Shelter-Hope Hall

Boller, John Coralville Ecumenical Food Pantry

Brown, Susan Robert Young Center

Brundies, Marla Iowa City VA Health Care System

Brush, Janel Grant Wood Area Education Agency

Buttons, Nicole Iowa DHS - Polk/Story County

Byram, Elizabeth* Sedlacek Treatment Center

Byram, Elizabeth* Coralville Ecumenical Food Pantry

Caballero, Megan University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Callahan, Kim Genesis Medical Center, East Rusholme Street

Carpenter, Dollie Bettendorf School District

Cavanaugh, Mary Pat Mississippi Bend AEA

Clark-Bennett, Robin Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa

Clemsen, Lance University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Cochran, Ann Dallas County Public Health Nursing

Coghill-Behrends, Andrew Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County

Collins, Tom Crossroads Behavioral Health Services

Conrad-Hiebner, Aislinn* Service Employees International Union Local 199

Corts, Kim Alternatives for the Older Adult

Courtney, Rod Sixth Judicial District Dept. of Correctional Services

Crawford, Tonya The Salvation Army

Crist, Carrie Des Moines Public Schools - SUCCESS

Croll, Amy Community Youth Concepts

Crosser, Lori University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

D'Aunno, Lisa* National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice

Davison-Rippey, Erin Planned Parenthood of the Heartland

DeLoach, LaTasha Johnson County Social Service

Deol, Avinder Women's Resource and Action Center (WRAC) Dhondt, Mechelle Linn County - Community Services Building

Dickinson, Rebecca* Waypoint Services for Women, Children and Families

Dickinson, Rebecca* University of Iowa Student Athlete Academic Services

Elias, Bram Immigration - UI College of Law

Eygabroad, Tina Mississippi Bend AEA

Fields, Patti United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties

Ford, Taylor University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Fox-Rummelhart, Carri IC Housing Authority Family Self-Sufficiency Prog.

Frandrich, John CFI - Administrative/Program Development/Research

Frazier, Fonda Prelude Behavioral Services

Gallogly, Amanda Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County

Garland, Leah Bethany Christian Services

Gerot, Angela Iowa City VA Health Care System

Glasson, Cathy Service Employees International Union Local 199

Gradert, Christine Family Resources

Greenwood, David Counseling for Growth and Change

Griem, Tim Horizons: A Family Service Alliance

Griesenauer, Douglas United Way of East Central Iowa

Gross, Greg The Project of Primary Health Care (AIDS Project)

Hagg, Lori Sedlacek Treatment Center

Hanrahan, Kimberly United Action for Youth

Hartley, Carolyn* Immigration - UI College of Law

Harvey, Emily Humility of Mary Housing, & Shelter, Inc.

Haskins, Motier* Service Employees International Union Local 199

Haycraft, Edwin* Iowa City VA Health Care System

Heldenbrand, Lisa Polk County Crisis and Advocacy

Hessburg, Laura ICADV: Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Hibma, Marlene Bethany Christian Services

Hindman, Brittney Mainstream Living

Hirsch-Giller, Barb* The Salvation Army

Hirsch-Giller, Barb* Iowa DHS - Polk/Story County

Houser, Kara Johnson County Affordable Homes Coalition

Houser, Kara Table-to-Table

Houser, Kara Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center

Huisinga, Kathleen University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Humiston, Shelly Corizon Mental Health Services Polk County Jail Jackson, Amy Grant Wood Area Education Agency

Johnson, Clark Mercy First Step Recovery Center

Junis, Susan Rape Victim Advocacy Program

Jurgemeyer, Tamra Young Women's Resource Center

Kahle, Amy City High School

Kain, Penny Center for Youth and Family Solutions

Kamba, Janelle UnityPoint Health Blank Children's Hospital

Karsjens, Alycia University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Kiener, Frank Mercy Medical Center

Klug, Brad Rabiner Treatment Center

Koch, Mike Next Step Counseling Services

Koepke, Nancy Department of Veterans Affairs-IOP

Kromminga, Jill Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County

Kundert, Candice The Healing Heart Center, Inc

Laabs-Wilcox, Ruth Genesis Medical Center, West Central Park Elkington, Pat Mercy Medical Center - Cedar Rapids

Endsley, Jeremy Shelter House

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Thank you to our field supervisors!

Names in bold indicate UI SSW alumni

* denotes SSW faculty or PhD candidates

Lauer, Geoffrey Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa

Leo, Tony Big Brothers Big Sisters Light, Emily Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center Long-DeWolf, Holly Heartland AEA

Louzek, Dan St. Luke's Counseling Center

Lundahl, Josh Ankeny Community Schools

Luria, Jennifer Center for Disabilities and Development

Magnison, Kara Four Oaks Inc. (Iowa City)

Maloney, Jena St. Luke's Medical Social Services

Mann, Nicole Family Resources

Mast, Claudia University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

McFarland, Stephanie Rabiner Treatment Center

McInroy, Mike Iowa DHS - Polk/Story County

Meade, Carol St. Luke's-Children's Specialty Services

Means, Carrie University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Meier, Cristian* United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties

Meier, Cristian* Shelter House

Mikelson, Bonnie EMDR & Beyond

Miller, Cyndy Disability Rights Iowa

Miller, Jerome Self-Awareness, LLC

Miller, Shari Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services

Moeller, Deborah Iowa City VA Health Care System

Monk, Judy Linn County - Community Services Building

Munn, Sandra Abbey Road Counseling

Nash, Audrey Mercy Medical Center

Nash, Roxanne Robert Young Center

Neblett, Keri The Crisis Center of Johnson County

Nefzger, Jessica Iowa Medical and Classification Center

Newcomb, Mary* Lexington Regional Health Center

Newell, Frederick The Dream Center

Nicol, Susan Successful Living

O'Connor, Robin Henry-Stark Counties Special Education District #801

O'Keefe, Cathy Braking Traffik

Oliver, Alison* University of Iowa Student Athlete Academic Services

Ortiz, Elias Domestic Violence Intervention Program

Overath, Tiffiny Mercy Medical Center - Cedar Rapids

Park, Kara University of Iowa Student Athlete Academic Services

Perteit, Bronis Domestic Violence Intervention Program

Petersen Striegel, Holli Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa

Petersen, Lisa Riverdale School District

Pierce, Martha Domestic Violence Intervention Program

Prochaska, Sarah University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Puebla, Amanda Rock Island-Milan School District

Ramirez, Julie Lutheran Social Services of Illinois

Rebik, Misty Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa

Rinehart, Lori Juvenile Court Services

Roarick, John Family Resource Centers (ICCSD)

Roberts, Kimberly St. Luke's Medical Social Services

Robinson, Erin* The University of Iowa Public Policy Center

Rochford, Brianna University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Rodenberg, Kristin Orchard Place - Child Guidance Center

Russell, Carlene Iowa Dept on Aging

Sabbagh, Nadia* Prelude Behavioral Services Sanders, Sara* The Dream Center Schipper, Laurie ICADV: Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence Scott, Sally Johnson County Affordable Homes Coalition Sedlacek, Sara Women's Resource and Action Center (WRAC) Shaft, Anita Gilda's Club Quad Cities Smith, Michelle University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Sowell, Ryan Iowa Works/Southeastern Community College Spears, Yolanda Family Resource Centers (ICCSD) Spears, Yolanda City High School Stanley, John LifeWorks - Counseling Stouder, Danielle Hospice of Washington County Swails, Peggy Center for Disabilities and Development Tanis, Cheryl Quakerdale Tharp, Mary Mercy Family Counseling Thomas Parrish, Louisa Genesis VNA Hospice Thompson, Francine Emma Goldman Clinic Thompson, Nancy Iowa DHS - Polk/Story County Thornburg McCrory, Kellee* NRCFCP Tinsman, Maggie Braking Traffik Trefz, Stephen* Abbe Center for Community Mental Health True-Funk, Kerri ICASA: Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault Tuberty, Joan University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Vander Plaats, Allyse CFI - Connect 2 Careers Vander Zee, Catherine University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Vanous, Jill Four Oaks Ventullo, Anne Emma Goldman Clinic Ventullo, Anne Successful Living Von Arb, Janice Iowa DHS - Central Office Von Gillern, Annie Disability Rights Iowa Wagner, Shana Grant Wood Area Education Agency Walker, Will Self-Awareness, LLC Weigel, Andy Johnson Country Public Health Weiner, Kate Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Health Werner, John University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Werner, Karen Four Oaks Inc. (Iowa City) Westphal, Joyce Crossroads Behavioral Health Services Wulf, Joel Iowa Dept on Aging Young-Dunn, Ilima DMACC - Human Services Program Yusef, Mira Monsoon United Asian Women of Iowa Yusef, Mira ICASA: Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault Zantingh, Kim Integrated Treatment Services Ziskovsky, Rosemary Horizons: A Family Service Alliance

Supervisor Supervisor Field Site Field Site

Lane, Janice CFI - Administrative/Program Development/Research

Langford, Dionna CFI - Connect 2 Careers

Both our students and partner agencies benefit greatly from high quality, meaningful field placements, as working together leads to better services and stronger community resources. We are always seeking new field instructors and agency partners in the Field Program; I hope you will consider joining our team. Please contact me to learn more about adding your agency to list of placement opportunities or becoming a qualified field instructor to the next generation of social workers! Lily French, Clinical Assistant Professor and Field Director at lily-French@uiowa.edu or 319-335-1256

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For their class project graduate students Micah Casey, Joella Gerber, and Rachel Kooistra conducted a needs and strengths assessment. This assessment aided United Way of Muscatine in their asset mapping for Aligned Impact Muscatine, a community initiative to address educational attainment. The U.S. Census reported in 2014 that 71.3% of adults over the age of 25 in Muscatine County did not have more than high school diploma. According to the students’ research, key informants from the community consistently identified a lack of knowledge of post-secondary opportunities, and financial barriers as the main obstacles to individuals accessing higher education. In their interviews, the students detected an emphasis on four-year postsecondary education identified as the primary option. They suggested providing in-school panels of representatives from a variety of alternatives for additional education such as trade schools, apprenticeships, community college, technical schools etc. to give students more choices for additional education. Another intervention proposed was a community wide fundraising effort coordinated by United Way of Muscatine to generate more funds for scholarships and financial aid. Muscatine has a high population of low income families and there are few resources for assistance for programs other than for a four year college. Students identified businesses who lack skilled workers who might sponsor a high school graduate’s training in exchange for a pledge to work for them upon completion. Businesses would be able to count on some stability in their workforce over the next few years. The skilled trades offer compensation that is higher than the minimum wage, so more revenue would go back into the community by those who are working in it. These students, who would eventually become employees, could begin to stop the cycle of generational poverty that has affected the town of Muscatine.

Child Hunger in Iowa City Increasing Access to Higher Education in Muscatine

Student Projects

Des Moines BA students Witney Hernandez,

Savanna Greenfield, & Erika Redrovan

Our semester project was to partner with a local organization to gain experience working in the macro level. We decided that we would work with an organization that provided resources for teen-age pregnancies and mothers and chose Ruth Harbor. Our plan was to collect diapers, toys, and gift cards. We stood outside of a local Walmart and held a Donation Drive to raise these items and collected over 2,300 diapers, multiple gifts cards, and several bags of children toys valued at $950.00. More importantly, we were able to speak to 110 individuals about Ruth Harbor and their services.

Support for Ruth Harbor

Approximately 1 in 5 children are hungry in Johnson County. Many children go without food, or lack sufficient

amounts of food, over weekends, school breaks and summers. Social work graduate students in Assistant Professor Megan Gilster’s class, Organization and Community Practice, proposed the implementation of a Farm Stand for children and families that are involved in programs at the Dream Center in Iowa City. The program would meet a need for hungry children and families in the area and could be expanded to other areas of the county. The project involves collaboration between The Dream Center, Grow Johnson County, and Backyard Abundance. The three organizations would work together to provide classes on cooking, food preparation and storage, food safety, and growing food in order to promote healthy eating, provide free produce and encourage family participation in combating child hunger. A field trip to the Grow Johnson County farm will also be provided as an activity for interested students and families. They will have the opportunity to see how produce is grown on a large scale and meet some of the farmers. This program is the first of its kind in Johnson County and has been approved for funding.

Jessica Gallegos, Lauren Lock, Morgan

Schlachter & Lindsey Kutcher (not pictured)

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During March, Social Work month, the NASW-Iowa Chapter’s diversity committee featured the documentary film screening for Finding Jenn’s Voice by film maker and producer Tracy

Schott, MSW. Ms. Schott was the keynote speaker for the conference as well as the pre-conference luncheon where she participated in a round table discussion with sponsoring organizations. The conversation gave Ms. Schott the chance to learn about the depth of work being done by organizations across Iowa to bring attention to the issues of domestic violence and homicide. Some goals of the workshop were to raise the level of awareness of the intersectionality between homicide, domestic violence, and pregnancy; enhance knowledge about the pervasiveness of violent intimate partner abuse and how domestic violence impacts not only the individual but our community-at-large. Ms. Schott introduced the film screening for Finding Jenn’s Voice, a documentary telling the story of Jennifer Snyder, a 27 year old veterinary technician who was murdered by her married boyfriend shortly after learning she was pregnant. Ms. Schott discovered that homicide is the leading cause of death during pregnancy. A 2005 study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that 31 percent of all deaths of pregnant women between 1991 and 1999 were the result of homicide. In a 2010 study for the Center for Maternal and Child Health and the Vital Statistics Administration, in the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the authors looked at pregnancy-associated homicides occurring from 1993 to 2008 among Maryland residents and found that homicides were the leading cause of death during pregnancy and the first postpartum year (Parker, 2013). A panel of local domestic violence experts included Tiffany Allison, Founder and President of the Soaring Hearts Foundation; Elizabeth Balcarcel, Latino Services Specialist, Iowa Coalition

Against Sexual Assault; Lata D’Mello, Assistant Director, Monsoon United Asian Women of Iowa; Comfort Dondo from L.U.N.A (Latinas Unidas Por Un Nuevo Amanecer). The panelists discussed their experience and cultural views of domestic violence and explained the resources their organizations have for community members. Sponsors of the event included: Grand View University; The Iowa Attorney General’s Office Crime Victim Assistance Division; The University of Iowa School of Social Work; Employee and Family Resources; Iowa Department of Human Services; Children and Families of Iowa; Orchard Place; and NASW-Iowa Chapter, Diversity Committee. Members from the NASW Diversity Committee instrumental in bringing this project to Iowa include: Sandra L. McGee, PhD, LMSW and Committee Chair; Jonetta McCutchen, MA, BASW; Janice Lane, LMSW; Barb Hirsch Giller, LMSW; Kelly Meany, MSW Candidate; Jenny Putz, MSW Candidate; Denise Rathman, MSW and Executive Director of NASW IA; Lagi Roberts, MSW Candidate; Brian Walker; BASW and Markie Channon; BASW Student.

Finding Jenn’s Voice

L to R: Sandra McGee, Lagi Roberts, Jonetta McCutchen, Tracy Schott, Jenny Putz, Kelly Meany, Teresa Hobson, Janice Lane

It’s a great time to get a PhD in social work!

Competitive financial package

Excellent job outlook

Highly interdisciplinary curriculum with courses in

psychology, sociology, education or public health

Mentorship by nationally recognized scholars

Opportunity for part-time study

Contact: man-guo@uiowa.edu for more information or http://clas.uiowa.edu/socialwork/graduate-program/phd-social-work

“Homicide is the leading cause of death during pregnancy.”

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Rhonda McInroy, MSW, LMHC Ms. Mclnroy received her Master of Social Work from The University of Iowa in 1989. She has worked in hospital social work, as an EAP counselor, and as a consultant for local health agencies. Rhonda is also an

adjunct professor at St. Ambrose University. She sees patients at Genesis Family Medical Center and is responsible for teaching behavioral scienc-es, providing patient counseling and coordinating the community medicine curriculum. Rhonda has acted as the behavioral science pro-vider for the Genesis Family Medicine Residence Training Program for the past 27 years. Her job entails administration, didactic teaching to residents, providing mental health counseling, acting as a resource person and making referrals to the community. She assists the resident physicians in coordinating patient care and teach-ing them the ‘how to’ aspect of medicine. “My job is to help family medicine doctors take better care of patients. I get to teach, learn and mentor which is great. Medicine is always changing, so I am constantly learning.” Rhonda plans to retire this year, so her position will be opening up to some-one who can fill her very big shoes.

This Spring, The University of Iowa’s Theme

Semester ‘Just Living’ focused on social justice, by examining the past and thinking about the future. Donovan Roberts, a freshman and student ambassador for Just Living explained, “social justice is important because it doesn’t limit anyone and gives all people a fair chance for opportunities, rather than giving advantages to just certain types of people.” Mass e-mails were sent out to students and engagement in one-on-one conversations were some of the many ways these student ambassadors got the topic out to the public.

In an effort to reach out to other students, UI faculty, and community members/partners, ‘Just Living’ collaborated with The One Button Studio to learn what social justice means to them. The One Button Studio, located in both Hardin Library and the Main Library on campus, is primarily used as an aid to help students practice their presentation skills or a faculty member reviewing a lecture. Students were encouraged to come to The One Button Studio throughout the semester to record their own video and express why social justice matters and what it means.

For students in the School of Social Work, the theme was a natural fit. Several participated in making videos which were edited into a final composition which can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVjeL9XRYrk

Brittney Thomas, a member of The Just Living Planning Committee, explained that this project was for anyone who wanted to participate and share their opinion on the matter. “We work closely with a lot of instructors to engage with all of the departments on campus. The school lectures really make students aware of the social justice issues going on around us, which is great, because as an adult you really do start thinking about this stuff.”

Erika Christiansen, the Director of Programming Through Outreach, noted that “social justice is ingrained in our academic mission. Looking at the steps we can take beyond this semester to try to improve society and see change is so crucial. The One Button Studio is a big part of that”.

The Professional Development Institute will

provide workshops on the Retention of Latinx

students in Higher Education, Culturally Based

Narratives to Recruit Students, and the Iowa

Department of Human Rights’ Community

Advocacy and Services Plan.

Alumni Spotlight

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The School of Social Work has announced the winners of the fourth annual National Poetry Contest for Social Workers. Students and alumni from 37 states submitted 81 poems. The purpose of the contest was to acknowledge the creative talent

of social workers and to draw attention to social work as a profession. The judges for the 2015 contest were:

-Ellen Szabo, M.Ed., founder and director of Write Now, www.writenow.bz , a veteran writer, writing coach, instructor, and facilitator of creative writing workshops including the annual Creative Writing Seminar for Helping Professionals in Iowa City;

-Tiffany Flowers, MA, LMHC, IADC, received her BA from Wartburg College and Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling with a specialty in mental health from The University of Iowa. She is the founder of Future Focus Life: Forward Living with a Sparkle, empowering others through spoken word, coaching, and other creative outlets in obtainment of their life goals. She also is the founding therapist of Pathway Counseling Center;

- Max Seifert studies poetry at The University of Iowa. His first chapbook, The Hole of Everything, Nebraska, won the 2015 Florence Kahn Award from the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. He is a research fellow at the International Writing Program and a poetry editor for earthwords: the undergraduate review. The top three submissions were awarded cash prizes and all submissions are published in a digital chapbook on the UI School of Social Work website. The first place winner also received half price admission to the annual Creative Writing Seminar for Helping Professionals, July 17-20. To view all of the poems, go to http://clas.uiowa.edu/socialwork/resources/creative-writing First Place- Sarah Trotta is a licensed clinical social worker based in Philadelphia, PA. She currently works as the Assistant Coordinator of the Sexual Assault Counseling and Education Unit at Tuttleman Counseling Services of Temple University. Sarah also maintains a private practice where she provides psychotherapy to survivors of sexual assault. In addition to her clinical work, Sarah is a student at University of Pennsylvania where she is working towards her Doctorate in Clinical Social Work. Follow her on Twitter @xsogden.

Second Place- Patrick Feagans is a student at George Mason University. He is a former legal assistant, with experience in both immigration and intellectual property fields of law. Patrick has returned to college to obtain a Bachelor of Social Work Degree, focusing on family law. He is interested in working in the foster care and adoption system to help place youth into permanent and stable homes before they reach adulthood, thereby, reducing the likelihood that the children will end up on the streets, incarcerated or unable to achieve their dreams and full potential in life. Third Place-Jessica Greenbaum, MA, LMSW, of Brooklyn, NY, is a poet and recent social worker. Her two volumes of poems are Inventing Difficulty (Silverfish Review Press, 2000), and The Two Yvonnes (Princeton University Press, 2012), which was named a Best Book by Library Journal. A recipient of a 2015 NEA literature award, she teaches inside and outside academia, and has designed workshops specific to her participants at Barnard College, The Lenox Hill Senior Center, Central Synagogue, and the World Trade Center Health Program for 9/11 first responders. The winning poems are also published in the spring issue of The New Social Worker, available free, on-line at http://www.socialworker.com/magazine For those interested in participating in the 2016-17 Poetry Contest, submissions can be made online at http://clas.uiowa.edu/socialwork/resources/creative-writing-social-workers

National Poetry Contest for Social Workers

Sarah Trotta-The University of Pennsylvania

the holding power of lace

dresses are like nightgowns, they’re not safe, she says, a

ball on the couch in my office where i sit silently wishing

to find her elusive safety. she continues, shaking but

breathing, and says again: nightgowns aren’t safe. as if i

hadn’t heard it the first time, hadn’t imagined her as a girl

waiting for santa or the easter bunny or the tooth fairy or

a night away from her father’s cock, each as implausible as

the other. i carry those words to bed with me - not safe,

like nightgowns - hold each word as i decide what to wear.

my safety isn’t a question.

i sleep with dreams of children now, of laughing girls who

can wear any pajama they wish without a father’s intrusion.

i dream. we take inventory of the broken pieces, we wonder

how to sew them together. she says, quietly: maybe i can use

the lace from my nightgown, maybe that will hold.

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Victims and family members of victims of crime speak out.

CRIME VICTIMS STEP UP 4/12/16 By Kendrew Panyanouvong, Daily Iowan “Aren’t you over it?” “Still?” “When are you

going to get over it?” These are some of the

questions a mother who lost her daughter to

murder six years ago faces.

“When it happens to you, your life is just

completely devastated,” she said to an

audience on Monday. “I just want everyone to

know there’s never any closure or

completeness of it. It’s there every single day.”

This week marks the 35th National Crime

Victims’ Rights Week, an annual observance

led by the Office for Victims of Crime to help

promote and honor the stories and rights of

those affected by all types of crimes.

The Horizons Survivors Program in

conjunction with the UI School of Social Work

held a panel of victims, as well as family

members of victims of homicide, domestic

violence and vehicular homicide to speak on

the impact these crimes had on their lives.

“I’m not alone. This happens a lot more

frequently then you can imagine,” said a

mother who lost her daughter in a car accident

a number of years ago. “There’s no precedent

for this on how you should feel or act, but to

have that awareness that is out there and that

you have this group of people out there to go

to and help you, that’s super important.”

Horizons is a family service alliance based in

Cedar Rapids with a survivor program that

serves 20 Iowa counties. The program

addresses immediate and long-term needs for

those affected by death including murder,

suicides, and domestic violence regardless of

legality terms.

“We serve 20 counties and decided to expand

out to a college town,” Penny Galvin, Victim

Advocate at Horizons said. “You’re never over

it. So the message I wanted the audience to

hear tonight is that these women are

survivors. People grieve in different ways.”

The victim-impact panel marked the annual

week in efforts to spread and create

awareness through advocating and sharing

stories of victims of crimes ranging from

domestic violence to homicide. The theme for

this year’s Crime Victim Week is “Serving

Victims, Building Trust, Restoring Hope.”

The week aims to highlight the importance of

victim services and early intervention, building

trust among victims’ and friends and family of

victims in hope to enrich the recovery process,

regardless of the circumstance and crime.

“It’s an ongoing pain, but you got to deal with

it and start to accept,” one panel member

said.

Another panel member with teary eyes

explained her guilt and shame for going back

to an ex-husband who once held her captive

and abused her in her own home for 12 hours.

“We are survivors, and we prove that every

day,” she said.

MSW social work students Ellen Petersen (L) and Lindsay Meade (R) worked with Penny Galvin from Horizons to organize a Victim Impact Panel for National Crime Victim’s Week. The following is an article published about it in The Daily Iowan.

Communities In Service

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Social Work partners with Iowa United Nations to support refugees

The Iowa United Nations Association teamed with The University of Iowa School of Social

Work students to raise money for people forced to leave their home countries because of war, persecution, or religious or ethnic intolerance. Walks were held in Sioux City, Des Moines and Iowa City.

The walks were a class project across three of our MSW sites for the Integrated Social Work Theory and Practice class being taught online this semester by Mercedes Bern-Klug.

In Sioux City, students promoted the walk at a table at the Faces of Siouxland Multicultural Fair, an event that attracted over 3,000 people.

Sioux City MSW alum Sue Flemming helped or-ganize the fair in 2014 and under the guidance of Karen Mackey, Executive Director of the Sioux City Human Rights Commission, (and daughter of alum John Mackey,) she made an extra effort to reach groups of refugees and immigrants in the Siouxland area and to include them in the plan-ning. As a result, the Fair has outgrown its space.

In Iowa City about 30 people joined the walk including MSW students Tessa Heeren, Nathan Kieso, Laura Jackson, and Victoria Felt. The money raised will be

Sioux City walk

Tessa Heeren with members of IUNA

Laura Jackson & Nathan Kieso

at the Iowa City event.

During the most recent Iowa Legislative Session, SF 2258 was proposed in order to align state law with the federal Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014. One of the child welfare practices covered

by SF2258 prevented Iowa judges from giving youth under the age of 16-years-old an APPLA (“another planned permanent living arrangement”) permanency goal. When a youth has an APPLA goal, child welfare workers do not need to focus on family-centered permanency but can focus the casework plan on assisting the youth in aging-out of foster care with a greater emphasis on independent living skills. Important to mitigating opposition to SF2258 was research conducted by Markie Channon. Through diligent and critical research, Markie considered the possible fiscal consequence of Title IV-B and IV-E funding on Iowa if the federal expectations were not being followed. Additionally, Markie conducted additional research on the fiscal impact of youth achieving permanency by considering the youths’ functioning as adults. The depth of her research and critical thinking she applied in this process helped impact passage of SF2258, which will go into effect as state law on July 1, 2016.

Sherry Gaskins and Jo Thyr staff the

Sioux City table.

DM BA Student Makes Her Mark

donated to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to provide emergency shelter, food, medical care and other basic needs of refugees and migrant peoples worldwide. Please support IOWAUNA and donate here http://iowauna.org/

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Since the University began recording the racial status of students, we have graduated 90 Black/African American MSW’s. Of those, 52 live in Iowa, and two have died. Fifteen are either retired or will be within a few

years. These numbers are a small reflection of a crisis in the Iowa social work profession-the lack of sufficient social workers of color. A group of social workers of color in Des Moines are developing strategies to address this issue. During one of their meetings, this information was shared:

Iowa’s population is becoming more diverse; census estimates project that by 2030, Latinos will comprise approximately 10 percent of the population, and African-Americans will comprise another 4 percent (Iowa Data Center, 2006a & 2006c). The state’s predominately white, English-speaking social work labor force does not reflect the demographic and linguistic diversity of the population it serves .

The group generated a list of ideas to recruit more people of color into the field and noted that there are several barriers to overcome in order to attract people of color into the profession. One barrier is the historical and systemic racism of the profession when white social workers created policies and practices that removed children of color from their families and placed them with Caucasian caregivers and measured Black culture and family structures by an exclusively white, middle class yardstick.

Many people of color have not had positive experiences with white social workers and assume that all social workers are in child welfare positions. We need to do a better job of promoting the breadth of social work opportunities.

Another barrier is the persistent belief that social workers cannot make a living wage. Salaries for LISW’s vary greatly from town to town and among specializations, but the median in Des Moines in $61, 126. For those with a BA in social work, the median is $50, 323.

Other ideas that were generated included; a marketing campaign that emphasizes the power of social work; a directory of Social Workers of Color and a mentoring program to retain students of color who are already in the program.

Sandra McGee, PhD, LMSW and Chair of the NASW-IA Diversity Committee has been active in the effort to diversify social work for many years.

She said, “Social work has an obligation to ensure the profession is diverse and the cultures in the workforce are an honest reflection of the world we live in and the populations we serve. Hiring People of Color in every aspect of the profession signals that diversity is valued and welcomed. Social Workers of Color have a vested interest in the policies and practices that impact their community. We need to be included in the discussions and the decision making process. We provide valuable input in matters of fair treatment and social justice in educational practices, community-based service provision, the disproportionality crisis in both the child welfare system and the judicial system, the political process, the correctional system, military matters, voting rights, and the decisions made by government, just to name a few of some of the battles fought on a daily basis. Not involving us in the process leads to assumptions being made by those outside the culture about what is best for our well-being. Recruiting and retaining People of Color in all aspects of social work will result in a profession that is proactive instead of reactive when matters of diversity arise. The richness of cultural diversity among our ranks adds to the strength of what I believe to be a meaningful and essential profession.”

You can visit the beginnings of an online listing of social workers answering the question, ‘Why Social Work?’ at this link

http://clas.uiowa.edu/socialwork/

about/why-social-work

If you would like to be added to the site, send me your quote and photo.

Ed Barnes 1999

Sandra McGee 1998

Needed: Social Workers of Color

15

Megan E. Gilster, PhD, MSW Participation in neighborhood civic life is an important component of healthy communities. Comprehensive community initiatives, like Making Connections,

seek increase resident involvement in community organizations and governance in order to improve neighborhood conditions. Nevertheless, many initiatives do not meet their participation goals. I am using data from Making Connections to examine both individual and neighborhood characteristics that contribute to resident participation in order to add to our understanding why these initiatives have struggled with resident participation. I have found that, contrary to expectations, residents who have more social obligations—support friends and family outside of the home—are more likely to be involved in their neighborhood. Neighborhood conditions matter as well. When neighborhood residents have shared expectations for the neighborhood environment and residents act to meet those expectations, residents are more likely to be involved in organizations in the neighborhood. This research is important because it may help improve community interventions so that they increase resident participation and, ultimately improve neighborhood conditions for all residents.

May Guo, PhD Traditional family norms such as filial piety, the obligations of adult children to respect and care for aging parents, are sources of both

support and stress among older immigrants. Studying a representative sample of Chinese older immigrants (60+) in Chicago (N = 3,022), I found that most of these older adults, who on average had stayed in the United States for two decades, still maintained high filial expectations on their children, particularly in terms of being respected and being checked upon frequently. These older

Faculty In Service Research Snapshots

adults had lower expectations on children providing actual care or financial support. In addition, children’s too much or too little filial performance was both associated with poorer mental health of the older adults. The findings are helpful to develop culturally sensitive tools to identify older immigrants with mental health risks.

Alumni social in the

Quad Cities

Alumni at SSWR

meeting in D.C.

Interested in Attending an Alumni

Event in Your Area?

Sioux City alumni at ceu event

If you would like to host, organize or

attend an alumni event in your area, let us

know and we can make it happen!

Write or call Jefri-palermo@uiowa.edu

319-335-3750

16

Elizabeth Speech, BA 2013, spent her time in the Peace Corps staying in a small commu-nity located in Cameroon, Afri-ca. Elizabeth’s working title while volunteering in Cameroon was community health educa-tor. Each volunteer had a pri-mary project, but were allowed

to focus on a secondary project in their spare time. Elizabeth’s main focus was educating men on fam-ily planning and prenatal consultations, because they were often the decision makers in the family. Once those men had that information, they would go into the community and share it with their friends-enabling a slow-going, but working change. Elizabeth’s health project did not go as well as she had hoped. The difficult part about helping groups of people in other countries is that the power dy-namics and education are not the same as in the U.S. She explains, “people are used to doing it one way and, you know, that’s how they had given birth to all of their other kids, as did their moth-ers, grandmothers, etc., so they were kind of like, ‘why do I need to go to the health center and learn about this?” With the support and cooperation of the commu-nity, Elizabeth’s secondary project, went much better. Since 2008, Elizabeth’s community had put in efforts to open up a micro-financing branch but after some factors that collided, the branch never ended up opening. As a volunteer, Elizabeth worked as a sort of mediator for communication between the people in her community and the micro-financing organization, helping to facilitate the work as well. “About a month before I left, we ended up opening it. I talked to someone this morning and it’s still running, so fingers crossed it keeps going well.” The project team exceeded their target goal for the first month and people have been pouring in opening up accounts. Elizabeth was excited with this project and felt that it fit more into the social work she wanted to be doing.

Elizabeth said her social work training helped her a lot. “It made me aware of my surroundings and the impression I was making on people, because they really did watch everything I did.” The classes that Elizabeth has taken in social work helped her to step back and understand their differences, rather than try and change what is clearly working for their own community. Elizabeth would recommend the Peace Corps for anyone who is interested in new ideas of develop-ment and experiencing other cultural perspec-tives. “I learned so much about my community in Africa and I was able to share that with people. I am more educated on what to say when Ameri-cans talk about Muslims, [my community was mostly Muslim].” Depending on how the volunteer wants to look at their experience, it can be a great opportunity. The Peace Corps helps people understand other cultures and why they do the things that they do. It helps create a better appreciation and easy ad-aptation to other cultures. Elizabeth is now work-ing with international refugees in California. After volunteering in the Peace Corps, she realized that international social work as a career wasn’t the right fit for her, but it prepared her well for the work she is doing now.

Students and Alumni In Service

BA Grad Serves in Peace Corps in Cameroon, Africa

Did You Know...

You can get your MSW from The University of Iowa

while living in the Quad Cities?

Most classes are held evenings and weekends, so you can continue working. Some sessions are online.

You can finish in 3 years and increase your earning potential!

Accepting applications now!

Contact:

Mary-Newcomb@uiowa.edu

563-441-4036

17

The Sioux City police department and a variety of entities including Sioux City Schools, Sioux City Public Library, Center for Siouxland, Disability Resource Center, Iowa Institute for Community Alliances, Community Initiative for Native Children and Families, the Sioux City Human Rights Commission, Siouxland Human Investment Program (SHIP), the VA, and government officials, have held meetings recently to explore ideas and solutions for people living or panhandling on the streets.

The Police Department asked for some help with a questionnaire to learn more about these people and what they need. Sara Staver, an MSW student took on the project as an Independent Study. She distributed the questionnaire to a wide group of stakeholders, including people who provide services to people who are homeless. She then trained other students and area practitioners how to use it in conducting interviews with the street folks.

Interviewers included: Jim Anderson, LISW, a long-time Sioux City area clinical social worker; U of I adjunct instructor Beth Harms, LISW and Sioux City MSW Program Director Julia Kleinschmit, U of I students Gwen Porter, Lorelei Thomas, and Laurel Walsh; Briar Cliff University students Emily Janda, and Mary Diaz; BCU Department Chair Liz Rembold, and Jerry Bartels, a counselor in the region.

Rembold said, “We feel fortunate that Briar Cliff

University and The University of Iowa social work programs have such a strong relationship. This project has provided our BSW students with an opportunity to work side by side with MSW students and apply micro and macro level concepts in the field. It is our hope that the data that comes from this project will ultimately lead to better outcomes to those in Sioux City who do not have a stable place to live.”

Home base was the Sioux City Public Library which helped keep the project organized. Mercy Hospital provided $500 to buy 100 $5 Kum-and- Go gift cards as a thank you to interviewees for their time. People were interviewed on the sidewalks, in the skywalks, in the library, at the Gospel Mission during a mealtime, and the Warming Shelter, among other places.

Students in the MSW Research class performed a preliminary content analysis of answers to open-ended questions. Sara will analyze the quantitative variables and do an overall analysis, and work with Julia to create a report for the multiple constituencies concerned about streetfolk downtown.

As an outgrowth of this project, Lorelei Thomas will be completing her Advanced Practicum with the Sioux City Human Rights Commission and SHIP, providing outreach and case management to people on the streets. She will also collect information and work with SHIP to advance Siouxland-wide efforts to address homelessness, chronic poverty, and the lack of decent affordable housing in the region.

Sioux City Students Collaborate to Address Siouxland Homelessness

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Alumni In Service

http://clas.uiowa.edu/socialwork

Melissa Pirwani, LCSW (BSW 2004) has written a children’s e-book that is a resource for parents to talk to their children about safe-ty information related to sexual abuse. The book, No Touching

Secrets, is appropriate for children age 4 and up. http://www.melissapirwani.com/ebook.php

At their 19th annual meeting the American Indian/Alaska Native Social Work Educators' Association honored Michael Jacobsen with their American Indian Elder Award "in recognition of his lifelong contributions to promote American Indians in social work education." Michael Jacobsen "Mike" MSW (Iowa) and Phd (Iowa) is a former social work faculty member (1975-1986) who began his professional involvement with American Indians in 1979 at the Iowa School of Social Work through an NIMH sponsored rural training project. He and his wife (Barbara, MSW 1974) are retired and living in O'Fallon, MO.

Retired Iowa state Senator Maggie Tinsman, of Davenport, was announced as the 2016 Athena Recipient on Thursday during the annual Athena Awards Event held this year at the Radisson Quad City Plaza in Davenport. Ms. Tinsman is founder of

Breaking Traffik and co-founder of 50/50 in 2020. She was selected from this year's five honorees, who also included Tara Barney of the Quad City Chamber of Commerce, Colleen Rafferty of Ten Friends Blow Dry & Style House, Tracy Schwind of Northwest Bank & Trust and Linda Wastyn of Wastyn & Associates. Nearly 500 civic and business leaders attended Thursday's event honoring the five women for their leadership in business and their contributions to the community. Also honored as the 2016 Male Champions of Change were Randy Moore of Iowa American Water, Dr. Joseph Rives of Western Illinois University, Joe Slavens of Northwest Bank & Trust and Rick Seidler of UnityPoint Health-Trinity. The event was hosted by the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce and Women’s Connection, with Merrill Lynch as the presenting sponsor. Ms. Tinsman has been a champion of causes such as early childhood education, mental health care, human trafficking and gender equality in politics. In 1978, she was the first woman appointed and elected to the Scott County Board of Supervisors. She was a supervisor from 1978-1989, first appointed to fill a vacancy and then elected after winning in a primary contest with five men and one other woman as candidates. She was elected to the Iowa State Senate in 1988 and served 18 years until 2006. One of her many accomplishments in the Senate was the introduction of legislation making human trafficking a felony in Iowa, which became law in 2006. After leaving the legislature, Ms. Tinsman formed Braking Traffik, an organization dedicated to

eradicating sex trafficking in Iowa and Illinois. The focus of the organization is on educating the populace and law enforcement personnel about the prevalence of human trafficking in the Midwest, coordinating a victim-centered response and advocating to ensure justice for victims. In 2010, she co-founded 50-50 in 2020, a statewide bi-partisan issue-neutral initiative to achieve political equity for women in Iowa by 2020, the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage. The program is envisioned as a statewide network of women who would recruit, train and mentor women to achieve 50 percent of the elected positions in the Iowa state legislature and U.S. Congress, in addition to governor. Since 1982, 6,000 Athena Awards and Global Athena Leadership Awards have been presented by Athena International in more than 500 communities in the U.S., Canada, Russia, China, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

2016 Athena Award Winner Maggie Tinsman (MSW 1974)

19 http://clas.uiowa.edu/socialwork

Social Work Connect

About 250 alumni have enrolled in the new version of Social Work Connect; an online map that allows alums to identify their location on a map of the world. Alums can include contact information which allows current students and former colleagues to connect for mentoring, job and practicum information. Alums from as far back as the 1960’s to the present have enrolled and include graduates from all four educational centers. As lives change, the records can be quickly updated. It’s easy to add your name-click on the link below and you will be taken to the page. http://clas.uiowa.edu/socialwork/people/alumni We would especially like to see some of our 55 international alums sign up!

Bob Leverenz, (MSW 1991) has written a new book, There is Nothing New Under the Sun. Bob is a United Methodist minister and social worker. Craig R. Mosher, (MSW 2000), describes it as “Weaving in timeless themes from Ecclesiastes and the ancient Greeks, Leverenz astutely com-ments on cogent, insightful radio commentaries he wrote back in the Reagan years, capturing both progress and the absence of change-from the Reagan years to Obama.” The book can be or-dered at www.wipfandstock.com or from your local bookstore.

Alum’s Gift Improves Field Education

Alumni gathering in Chicago

This year we have been able to enhance our BASW Field Education program through the generous $10,000 donation of Christine Coombs Zoulias (BA 1974 Social Work). Christine left Iowa soon after graduation and became “all things social services” in Salem, New Hampshire in her early 20’s. She credited her success to the field experience she completed as an undergraduate.

In the years since Iowa, Christine has made regular contributions to the School of Social Work. Last year, she decided to invest in field education specifically because of its importance in preparing students for social work practice. Working with the UI Foundation, she requested a menu of field-related needs from the UISSW. Two areas of programmatic need were chosen: 1) students experiencing financial strain from having to leave paid employment to complete their field placement, particularly when loans are fully exhausted or they are supporting a family and 2) students interested in completing placements at agencies who have knowledgeable, professional staff but lack the required social work degree for supervision.

This year marked the first Christine Coombs Zoulias Field Fellowships awarded of $1500 each to 5 students. We received 20 applications from students facing significant financial hardship when entering field placement in the final semester of their BASW education. Because all demonstrated significant financial need, we hope to grow our fellowship funds in the future. Additionally, we piloted small-group supervision at both the Des Moines and Iowa City centers, where an adjunct faculty provided supplemental social work instruction to students who placed in agencies without a qualified BASW supervisor. This program opened new placement opportunities for 5 different students in the areas of affordable housing, state government, substance abuse recovery, aging services, and food security.

20

Edited by Jefri Palermo with assistance from Mariah Temple