The FSU Center for the Study and Promotion of Communities, Families, and Children (CFC Center) received an $80,000 grant from Save the Children to help those affected by Hurricane Michael. The CFC Center, within the FSU College of Social Work, will use the grant to respond to the mental health needs of children, families, teachers and community providers experiencing trauma as a result of Hurricane Michael. The project will run from May to December 2019, with a possible opportunity to extend funding into the spring and summer of 2020.

FSU recently launched an enhanced mentoring platform to host our University-wide mentoring program, the ProfessioNole Mentors Program. ProfessioNole Mentors offers students the chance to reach out to professionals throughout the community, country, and world and learn more about their field’s industry demands, career expectations, job outlook, and employment opportunities.

A Florida State University researcher has received a fellowship grant from the Fahs-Beck Fund for Research and Experimentation to support her study on the impact of media on trauma recovery.

Professor of Social Work Amy L. Ai, named a 2019 Fahs-Beck Fellow, will use the $20,000 grant for her project, “Traumatization and Resilience among Puerto Rican Americans Following Hurricane Maria.”

Child welfare professionals from around the state gathered at Florida State University as the Florida Institute for Child Welfare convened a Symposium on Racial Equity May 9-10 in Tallahassee.

Assistant Professor Lisa Schelbe was one of eight Florida State University faculty members to receive a University Teaching Award at the end of the spring 2019 semester. Recipients are recognized as outstanding in the many aspects of teaching, which contribute to successful learning. These teaching awards are student-oriented, with nominations submitted by both current FSU students and alumni.

The annual FSU Leadership Awards Night event on April 9, 2019 honored individuals and group students across campus who engage in leadership learning.

Among these recipients were undergraduate social work student Kathryn Casello, who received the President’s Undergraduate Humanitarian of the Year Award, given to a student with a tremendous commitment to leadership and service. Read more about her Humanitarian Award here.

New research from Florida State University has found that Seeking Safety, a cognitive behavior-based intervention program, is a promising program for reducing incarcerated women’s symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Florida State University College of Social Work celebrated its new research entity, the Institute for Justice Research and Development at the Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center Thursday, April 18.

More than 100 people gathered to learn about the newest multidisciplinary research institute to find a home at FSU. The institute’s mission is to advance science, policy, and practice to improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities impacted by the criminal justice system.

On the morning of May 3, 2019, the FSU College of Social Work celebrated its Spring Class of 2019 graduates at the annual spring graduation reception in the Oglesby Union Ballrooms. The event welcomed 49 BSW and 58 MSW graduates and their guests for a special ceremony, which included Keynote Speaker Jeff Binkley and Student Speaker Kathryn Casello. Dean Jim Clark presided over the affair, calling forth program directors to announce winners of the College’s annual awards including:

As a child during the 1950s and 1960s, Vera Gorman Gray witnessed first-hand the strong wave of social and political change including the civil rights movement, peace movement, and women’s rights movement. Her family watched it all live on television as they sat down to their evening meal each night. Her lessons on being an active citizen began early. Her parents discussed the issues openly with Vera and her two siblings.