Social Work names child welfare fellow
The College of Social Work recently named Pam Graham its Jeanene M. Janes Child Welfare Fellow. The fellowship is awarded to a College of Social Work faculty member who places a special emphasis on child welfare issues. Graham is the director of the College’s Bachelor of Social Work Program and Professional Development Program.
“The appointment of Pam Graham to this named fellowship speaks to the standards of excellence maintained by the College of Social Work in its commitment to child welfare,” said Dean Nicholas Mazza. “Professor Graham’s contribution to child welfare practice, education and policy has truly made a difference in improving the lives of children and families.” Graham is only the second recipient of the fellowship, which was first awarded in 2008.
“It is an honor to represent the long and committed contribution that Jeanene Janes has made to child welfare practice,” Graham said. “This fellowship will allow me to continue my work at the College of Social Work as an advocate for professional social work practice in the field of child welfare. We are uniquely qualified to work in this arena on behalf of vulnerable children and their families, advocating for them to have a quality life and helping them heal from the trauma and losses they have experienced.
“To quote Nelson Mandela,‘There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children,’” Graham said.
Graham first became involved in child welfare issues in the 1980s. Currently, she is member of the Quality Parenting Initiative, which addresses ways to improve the lives and services offered to foster care parents and children. In 2008, she was appointed by the Florida Surgeon General to the State Child Abuse Death Review Committee.
“Pam continues Jeanene Janes’ legacy of dedication to making progress in the area of child welfare and to train students to be better social workers,” Mazza said.
Janes, who established the fellowship to attract top-notch faculty members to train the next generation of social workers, earned a Master of Science degree in social work from Florida State in 1969.