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Lindsey Mullis and her three children

Finding Community Through Adoption: Lindsey Mullis Brings Lived Experience to Adoption Support for Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 13, 2026) — From the first time Lindsey Mullis saw a photo of her daughter, Caroline, she knew it was meant to be.

After meeting a family who had adopted two children from China, Mullis began exploring international adoption. Drawing on her previous experience working with individuals with disabilities, Mullis specifically asked to be matched with a child with medical needs. When the agency sent Caroline’s photo, the decision came quickly.

Lindsey Mullis' three daughters
Caroline and her two younger sisters.

“If I had the ability, the capacity and the heart to do that for another child, why wouldn’t I?” Mullis said. “I remember asking other adoptive parents whether loving an adopted child felt different than loving a biological child. One mom told me the process is different, but the first moment you see your child, that instant love and connection, is exactly the same.”

Adopting Caroline from Ürümqi, China, Mullis instantly felt that connection through photographs. When Caroline arrived in Lexington in December 2016, she said that mother-daughter bond was confirmed.

The adoption journey also brought unexpected twists. While completing the adoption process, Mullis became pregnant. She gave birth just weeks before Caroline came home, becoming a mother of two young daughters in less than a month.

Another part of Caroline’s story was her Down syndrome diagnosis, something Mullis approached with both curiosity and openness.

“You can read about a diagnosis, but every individual is unique. If you’ve met one child with Down syndrome, you’ve met one child with Down syndrome,” Mullis said. “We had to be comfortable with meeting Caroline and letting her show us who she was, while being ready to support her unique needs.”

As a new mom to two young children, Mullis quickly learned one of the greatest lessons she now carries into her work with adoptive families: don’t be afraid to ask for help.

“Looking back, I think the world was teaching me that it’s okay to ask for help,” Mullis said. “Having a village, a network of people who understand, is incredibly important.”

Now, nearly 10 years later, Mullis is drawing on those experiences in her role as program coordinator for the University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s Adoption Support for Kentucky (ASK).

Founded on evidence-based practices and the lived experiences of adoptive families, ASK operates from a fundamental understanding: adoption isn’t the conclusion of a story, it’s the beginning of a lifelong journey that requires ongoing support, connection and understanding.

One of the aspects that attracted Mullis to the position was the opportunity to connect families with ASK’s free support groups, trainings and other resources while helping them build relationships with others who understand the adoption journey firsthand.

“It’s important that we continue updating and improving what we offer so that ASK truly meets families’ needs,” Mullis said. “I want to continue growing the program by identifying what adoptive families are asking for and making sure we’re filling those needs.”

Through both her journey as an adoptive mother and her work with ASK, Mullis is continually reminded of the importance of community.

“Every adoption story is different, but there are so many shared experiences,” Mullis said. “Surround yourself with other adoptive families who have lived the experience and don’t be afraid to lean on them.”

Today, Mullis hopes every family who connects with ASK finds that same sense of community. By connecting adoptive families with trusted resources, meaningful relationships and ongoing support, she hopes to help ensure they never have to navigate the adoption journey alone.

For more information and to sign up for an ASK Support Group or Training, please visit the Training Resource Center website. Lindsey and Caroline also share more of their story on Youtube, please visit these videos to learn more: Caroline’s Story & My Sister Caroline.

Carly Kimiecik Headshot

Social Work’s Carly Kimiecik receives 2026 Rapid Response Grant to advance community-engaged resilience project

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 12, 2026) — University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) Assistant Professor Carlyn Kimiecik, Ph.D., has received a 2026 Rapid Response Grant from the Sustainable Futures Design Lab (SFDL), a founding area of UK Innovate’s TRUST Hub, to examine how natural disasters affect youth sport and community life in rural Kentucky. 

The award supports community-engaged research projects that respond to emerging needs across Kentucky and help accelerate solutions with the potential for long-term impact. 

Rapid Response Grants are designed to help researchers quickly pursue time-sensitive opportunities that address pressing challenges facing Kentucky communities. By providing early-stage funding, the program enables interdisciplinary teams to build partnerships, gather preliminary data and develop innovative approaches that can lead to larger research initiatives. 

Kimiecik’s project, “Youth Sport, Disaster Response, and Rural Communities: Developing a Community-Based Resilience Model in Central Appalachia Kentucky,” will support community-engaged research exploring how natural disasters affect youth sport and community life while developing a community-based resilience model to help communities prepare for future disasters. 

“Natural disasters affect far more than physical infrastructure, they also disrupt the relationships, routines and community spaces that help young people thrive,” said Kimiecik. “Through this project and working with community partners, we hope to better understand how youth sport can support resilience and recovery while working alongside communities to develop practical strategies they can use before, during and after future disasters.” 

A researcher with the Sport Social Work Research Lab (SSW-RL), Kimiecik joined the College in August 2025, bringing a background that bridges youth programming, social work and sport for development. Her research explores the lived experiences of youth and student-athletes through strength-based and community-engaged approaches. 

Kimiecik focuses her work on the intersection of health, development and well-being across socio-ecological systems, particularly in sport and play-based settings. She is passionate about integrating social work into athletic contexts to promote holistic youth development and strengthen community partnerships that address social determinants of health. 

The project reflects the growing recognition that youth sport can serve as an important community resource during times of crisis. By working directly with communities in Central Appalachia, Kimiecik and her team hope to identify strategies that strengthen local resilience while supporting the well-being of young people and their families and communities. 

“This grant creates an opportunity to partner and work with communities,” Kimiecik said. “By listening to local experiences and building on existing community strengths, we hope this work will lead to sustainable approaches that help communities respond to future challenges.” 

The project also reflects the College of Social Work’s commitment to community-engaged research that addresses Kentucky’s most pressing challenges while translating research into practical solutions that improve the lives of individuals, families and communities. 

Welcome Ashley Barr

UK College of Social Work welcomes Ashley Barr to faculty

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 30, 2026) — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) has announced Ashley Barr, DSW, LCSW, will join the College as a lecturer, bringing extensive clinical leadership and teaching experience. 

Barr joins the CoSW from Carlow University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she served as an assistant professor in the Master of Social Work program. Throughout her career, she has combined direct practice with higher education, teaching social work students while maintaining a strong connection to the profession through leadership and clinical experience. 

“Ashley’s commitment to preparing future social workers is evident throughout her career,” Jackie Duron, Ph.D., associate dean for faculty advancement, said. “Her experience across clinical practice, program leadership and higher education will provide students with valuable insight as they prepare to enter the profession.” 

Before transitioning to full-time academia, Barr spent 11 years as an emergency department and trauma social worker, supporting patients and families during some of life’s most challenging moments. She also served as director of a therapeutic foster care program, further expanding her experience working with children, families and community partners. 

Since 2017, Barr has taught in both Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs at several institutions, including the University of Pittsburgh, California University of Pennsylvania, Valdosta State University and Carlow University. Her teaching experience spans a variety of social work practice areas, allowing her to connect classroom learning with real-world application. 

“My goal has always been to prepare students for the realities of social work practice while helping them build the confidence and skills they’ll need to support individuals, families and communities,” Barr said. “I’m excited to join the UK College of Social Work and work alongside faculty who are committed to student success and advancing the profession.” 

Barr earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Allegheny College, a Master of Social Work and Master of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Doctor of Social Work from the University of Southern California. She is a licensed clinical social worker in Pennsylvania and an active member of the National Association of Social Workers. 

Outside of the classroom, Barr is an accomplished endurance athlete and collegiate coach. She currently serves as head coach for the men’s and women’s cross country teams at Carlow University and was named the 2024 United States Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. She has completed two Ironman races, qualified four times for the Sprint Triathlon National Championship and earned a spot on Team USA in duathlon competition. She is also the mother of four children, including a set of twin boys.

Aaron Brown at the KYOAAC press event with KYOAAC members, UK faculty and the KY Attorney General

UK Social Work researcher expands support for Kentucky families affected by substance use

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 27, 2026) — University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) Assistant Professor Aaron Brown, Ph.D., is expanding support for Kentucky families affected by substance use through Stronger Together: A Prevention Program for Families of People Who Use Drugs, an evidence-informed prevention program supported by funding from the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (KYOAAC).

Brown was awarded a research grant from the KYOAAC, part of more than $30 million the commission distributed this year to over 100 organizations statewide. The funds flow directly from landmark settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors, which have directed more than $1 billion to Kentucky to date.

The funding will allow Brown and his team to translate previous research findings into an accessible prevention program for families across Kentucky, including those in rural communities where education and services may be more difficult to access. The program will be piloted with 100 Kentuckians who have a loved one who uses opioids.

Built on a strong research foundation, Brown and College of Social Work Assistant Professor Lynden Bond, Ph.D., led a study examining the experiences, knowledge and attitudes of people supporting family members or close friends with substance use involving opioids or stimulants. Stronger Together is designed to address the needs and gaps identified through those surveys and interviews.

“The Stronger Together program will provide practical information about overdose prevention, naloxone, medications for opioid use disorder, other harm reduction strategies, supportive communication and ways family members can care for themselves while supporting a loved one,” said Brown. “The KYOAAC award allows us to turn what we have learned from friends and family members of people who use drugs into a practical program that helps them support their loved ones while also protecting their own well-being.”

The work comes at a critical time. Substance use disorder continues to affect millions of individuals and families across the U.S. According to a 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 48.4 million people age 12 or older had a substance use disorder in the past year. While national overdose deaths declined in 2024, nearly 80,000 people died from a drug overdose, underscoring the continued need for prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery support. 

In Kentucky, the impact remains especially significant. The 2024 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report found that 1,410 Kentucky residents died from a drug overdose in 2024, a decrease from the previous year but still a profound loss for families and communities. Fentanyl and methamphetamine remained the most commonly identified substances in overdose deaths statewide.

“Kentucky has been deeply affected by the opioid crisis, and families are often among the first people to recognize a problem, respond to an overdose, encourage treatment or help a loved one navigate recovery,” Brown said. “Yet many families are expected to take on these roles without clear information, practical guidance or support for their own well-being.”

Family-centered prevention programs are especially important because they extend the reach of overdose prevention and harm reduction beyond formal treatment settings, Brown shared.

Stronger Together will address common misconceptions, explain overdose prevention and other harm reduction strategies in accessible language, and help participants develop skills for supportive communication, boundary-setting and self-care.

“We hope families will leave the program with a clearer understanding of substance use, overdose risk and the harm reduction strategies that can help keep their loved ones alive and connected to care,” Brown said. “Ultimately, the goal is for families to feel less helpless and better equipped to make informed, compassionate decisions in difficult situations.”

The pilot program will help inform future efforts to expand family-centered prevention resources across Kentucky, ensuring more families have access to practical tools, evidence-based information and support.

UK College of Social Work welcomes Katelyn Fowler to faculty

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 22, 2026) — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) has announced Katelyn “Kat” Fowler, MSW, PS II will join the College as a lecturer, bringing experience in prevention science, program evaluation and community-based social work practice to the classroom.

A native of Flatwoods, Kentucky, Fowler joins the College with a diverse professional background spanning community-based corrections and reentry, outpatient mental and behavioral health and services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. More recently, she has worked in prevention, program evaluation and social work education, collaborating with universities, state agencies and community organizations to strengthen prevention efforts across the region.

In addition to her applied practice, Fowler has taught graduate social work courses and an undergraduate honors seminar through the university’s Honors College, supervised practicum students and developed both in-person and online learning experiences, bringing expertise in prevention science, research, ethics and field education into the classroom.

“Kat’s commitment to prevention, community partnerships and student success makes her an outstanding addition to our faculty,” Jackie Duron, Ph.D., associate dean for faculty advancement, said. “Her ability to connect research, data and practice will provide students with meaningful learning experiences while preparing them for the evolving needs of the social work profession.”

Throughout her career, Fowler has helped develop statewide data dashboards, training curricula and a prevention science microcredential. She also collaborated on the development of a culturally specific prevention intervention for Appalachia, demonstrating her commitment to translating research into practical tools that benefit communities.

“My passion has always been helping communities use research and data in ways that are accessible, meaningful and actionable,” Fowler said. “Whether working directly with individuals or supporting prevention initiatives, I’ve always believed social work is most effective when we build strong partnerships and empower communities to create lasting change.”

Fowler earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Kentucky Christian University and her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Marshall University, where she was part of the institution’s inaugural MSW cohort.

In addition to her teaching and practice experience, Fowler has completed trainer certifications in the Strategic Prevention Framework Application for Prevention Success Training (SAPST) and Understanding Social Norms for Prevention Practice. She has also received her Prevention Specialist II certification in West Virginia.

Outside of the classroom, Fowler enjoys staying involved in her local community theater, where she performs, directs, choreographs and stage manages productions. An avid creative, she also enjoys fiber arts, jewelry making, reading and writing poetry. Deeply rooted in Appalachia, she values storytelling, creativity and the role the arts play in building strong communities.

Headshot of Matt Moore

Social Work’s Matt Moore selected to serve on U.S. Center for SafeSport advisory committee

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 16, 2026) – University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s (CoSW) Matt Moore, Ph.D., has been selected to serve on the U.S. Center for SafeSport (Center) Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP) Advisory Committee. 

The Center is an independent nonprofit committed to building a sport community where participants can work and learn together free of emotional, physical and sexual abuse and misconduct. In 2017, the Center was identified as the nation’s safe sport organization for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement in the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act. 

Each National Governing Body within the Olympic and Paralympic movement is required to implement the mandatory components of the Center’s model MAAPP.  

Every three years, the Center makes updates to its model MAAPP and Moore, CoSW associate professor and associate dean of academic and student affairs, has been selected to serve on the external advisory committee that will help inform updates to the Center’s model MAAPP. 

“Creating safe, healthy sport environments requires ongoing collaboration between researchers, practitioners, policymakers and those with lived experience,” Moore said. “I’m honored to contribute to this process and help ensure that safeguarding policies continue to evolve in ways that protect athletes, promote accountability and support positive sport experiences at every level.” 

This committee is comprised of stakeholders with experience in Safeguarding, compliance, governance, sport administration, sport medicine, policy implementation as well as athletes and survivors to provide feedback and recommendation. The committee will review proposed revisions and help identify considerations that support both athlete safety and effective implementation across sport organizations. 

Moore, a nationally recognized sport social worker and director of the CoSW’s International Institute for Sport and Behavioral Health (IISBH), will serve as a subject matter expert as the Center develops the 2028 MAAPP. 

Honored with the Sport Social Work Legacy Award in 2024, Moore’s innovative approaches and commitment to the field of sport social work have been pivotal in advancing the profession. He currently serves as the president of the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports (ASWIS) and is also the founder and editor of the Sport Social Work Journal.  

During his time at the College of Social Work, Moore helped launch the Sport Social Work Collaborative – a partnership between ASWIS, the Sport Social Work Journal and the college’s Sport Social Work Research Lab. He has also been an integral partner to Survivors for Change, working to create curriculum designed to support positive youth development, focusing on holistic approaches within sports settings. 

As the Center begins its review process, Moore and the committee’s recommendations will help inform future updates to the MAAPP, ensuring the model continues to meet the evolving needs of athletes, organizations and communities across the Olympic and Paralympic movement. 

Welcome Dr. Amanda Farrell to the College of Social Work

UK College of Social Work welcomes Amanda Farrell to faculty

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 14, 2026) — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) has announced Amanda Farrell, Ph.D., will join the College as a senior lecturer, bringing extensive international experience in policing, criminal investigations and forensic science to the growing criminal justice program. 

Originally from Virginia, Farrell joins UK after spending the past five years as a senior lecturer of policing at Liverpool John Moores University in England, where she led one of the Liverpool Centre for Advanced Policing Studies’ largest undergraduate programs in forensics, policing and investigations while teaching across undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs. 

“Dr. Farrell brings an exceptional combination of academic leadership and hands-on experience in criminal investigations,” Jackie Duron, Ph.D., associate dean for faculty advancement, said. “Her work with law enforcement agencies, commitment to practitioner-informed research and global perspective will provide invaluable learning opportunities for our students while strengthening our criminal justice program.” 

Farrell’s professional experience spans nearly every facet of the criminal justice system. Growing up in a family of first responders sparked an early interest in policing, which led to internships with the Metropolitan Police Service in the United Kingdom and a police department in Virginia, where she worked alongside detectives and forensic investigators for more than six years. 

Throughout her career, she has consulted on homicide investigations, assisted with police academy and in-service training, presented to the FBI National Academy on practitioner-research partnerships and served as an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) research fellow assigned to the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Units within the Critical Incident Response Group.  

Her work has also supported several U.S. Department of Justice initiatives, including serving as a consultant and technical writer for the national Needs Assessment of Forensic Laboratories and Medical Examiner and Coroners Offices. 

Farrell’s research focuses on homicide, criminal investigations, field forensics, policing and the effects of stress, trauma and resilience among first responders and forensic professionals. More recently, she served as research lead for Winter Storm, a multidisciplinary initiative examining emergency response preparedness for extreme weather events across the United Kingdom. 

She earned a Ph.D. in criminology and criminal justice from Old Dominion University, a Master of Science in investigative psychology from the University of Liverpool and a Master of Arts in criminal justice and criminology from Sam Houston State University. She also graduated summa cum laude from Marymount University with bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and sociology. 

In addition to her teaching and research, Farrell has completed specialized training in crisis intervention, peer support, critical incident stress management and trauma-informed response, further informing her work with law enforcement and first responder communities. 

“I am excited to join the UK College of Social Work and contribute to a program that values both academic excellence and practical experience,” Farrell said. “I look forward to working with students as they prepare for careers in criminal justice and helping them connect classroom learning with professional practice.” 

Outside of work, Farrell is a dog lover who rescued her first dog at age 13. She also enjoys traveling and shares a stargazing tour atop Mount Teide in Tenerife, Spain, where she could see the Milky Way with the naked eye, among her favorite travel experiences. She looks forward to becoming part of the Lexington community and getting to know her colleagues and students at UK.  

Registration open for Fall 2026 Medically Complex Training

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 13, 2026) — Registration is now open for the University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s (CoSW) 2026 Fall Medically Complex Training, a hybrid learning opportunity designed to support Kentucky’s medically complex foster and adoptive families.

Hosted by CoSW’s Medically Complex Training Program, the annual training will feature virtual sessions on Aug. 14-15, followed by an in-person training on Aug. 22 at the Embassy Suites in Lexington.

The conference provides medically complex foster and adoptive parents with the ongoing education required for recertification while offering practical strategies, evidence-informed resources, and opportunities to connect with professionals and fellow caregivers who understand the unique challenges of caring for children with complex medical needs.

“Each year, this training brings together caregivers, professionals, and experts from across Kentucky to strengthen the support available to medically complex children and their families,” said Dave Giannini, Medically Complex program coordinator. “Our goal is to provide meaningful education, practical tools, and opportunities for connection that caregivers can immediately apply in their daily lives.”

The virtual sessions will feature presentations from subject matter experts on topics relevant to medically complex caregiving, while the in-person event will offer additional educational sessions, networking opportunities, and access to community resources.

The annual training reflects the College’s continued commitment to equipping foster and adoptive families with the knowledge and support needed to provide high-quality care for Kentucky’s medically complex children. By bringing together caregivers, healthcare professionals, and community partners, the event creates opportunities to share best practices, build relationships, and strengthen the statewide network of support.

Registration is free and open to certified medically complex foster and adoptive parents.

For additional information and to register, visit: 2026 Fall Medically Complex Training Registration

Youth sports team with their hands in a huddle before a game

UK Sport Social Work Research Lab partnerships shape global youth sport development

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 9, 2026) — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s (CoSW) Sport Social Work Research Lab (SSW-RL) is expanding its global impact through international research collaborations that are advancing coach education, positive youth development and youth sport policy.

Since launching at CoSW in 2023, the SSW-RL has established research partnerships across multiple countries, resulting in 23 peer-reviewed journal articles, five book chapters, one textbook and more than 10 international trainings, workshops and presentations focused on coaching, youth development and sport leadership.

Through support from University of Kentucky International Center, two institutional partnerships were formally established with the Polytechnic Institute of Porto (Portugal) and Brock University (Canada) in 2024 and 2025, respectively. The SSW-RL also recently collaborated with experts from Nanyang Technological University and National Institution of Education in Singapore to publish a new textbook, “Coaching Values and Life Skills through Physical Education and Sports.”

One of the lab’s largest international collaborations supports a 10-year research initiative funded by the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth. The project, “Coach Education and Positive Youth Development through Sport,” brings together scholars from the United States, Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.

The initiative focuses on assessing youth sport organizations, developing evidence-informed coach education and providing recommendations to inform sport policy at the local, national and international levels. Researchers are examining how youth sport systems can be designed to better support the wellbeing and development of young people.

“Our goal is to better understand how sport can serve as a vehicle for positive youth development while identifying practical strategies that coaches, organizations and policymakers can use to create healthier and more supportive environments for young people,” said Tarkington J. Newman, Ph.D., SSW-RL director. “These partnerships have allowed us to learn from colleagues around the world while contributing research that can have a meaningful impact on youth sport systems.”

Recent publications have explored topics including positive mental health, life skill development and coaching practices that support youth development. Additional SSW-RL research has examined the role of sport social workers in helping young athletes develop skills that extend beyond competition, as well as the effectiveness of outdoor, experiential and adventure therapies for children and adolescents.

“Many of the opportunities and challenges we see in youth sport and physical activity are not unique to one country,” said Carlyn Kimiecik, Ph.D., SSW-RL faculty affiliate. “By bringing together researchers with different perspectives and experiences, we can develop stronger evidence, share innovative ideas and identify solutions that can benefit young people across a variety of sport, recreation and physical activity settings.”

As these collaborations continue, researchers will further examine how coach education, organizational culture and policy development can work together to create sport environments that support young people’s social, emotional and personal development alongside athletic performance.

The work demonstrates how international research partnerships can translate evidence into practice, helping coaches, organizations and policymakers create healthier, more positive experiences for youth around the world.

Dr. Jeni Gamble presents at the Social Work Essentials Conference

UK College of Social Work conference equips professionals for licensure renewal and practice

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 30, 2026) — Social work professionals from across Kentucky gathered in Lexington June 24-25 for the University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s (CoSW) Social Work Essentials Conference, a two-day event designed to help practitioners meet licensure requirements while strengthening their knowledge and skills in key areas of practice. 

Hosted by the College’s Office of Professional Development and Continuing Education, the conference provided participants with the courses required for Kentucky social work licensure renewal, including Social Work Ethics, Suicide Prevention, Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse. Attendees also received access to an on-demand course on Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma. 

Held at the Fayette County Extension Office, the conference brought together social workers from a variety of practice settings to learn from experts in the field while earning continuing education credits approved by the Kentucky Board of Social Work. 

The conference featured presentations from Geoff Wilson, LCSW, on social work ethics; Jeni Gamble, Ph.D., on elder intimate partner violence and elder abuse; and Shericka Smith, DSW, LCSW, on suicide prevention. 

For many attendees, the event provided an opportunity to complete multiple licensure requirements in one setting while engaging with topics that directly impact the individuals, families and communities they serve. 

“Continuing education is about more than meeting licensure requirements,” said Christina Krantz, continuing education specialist at the UK College of Social Work. “It’s an opportunity for social workers to deepen their knowledge, strengthen their practice and stay informed about issues affecting communities across Kentucky. We were excited to bring professionals together for meaningful learning and discussion while supporting their ongoing growth in the field.” 

The conference reflects the College’s commitment to supporting social workers throughout their careers by providing accessible, relevant and practice-focused professional development opportunities. 

As the needs of Kentucky communities continue to evolve, continuing education remains an important tool for helping social workers stay prepared to address complex challenges while providing ethical, informed and effective care.