Breanna Williams, Author at University of Kentucky College of Social Work

Hand holding a pen over a piece of paper

Foster Parent Training Program hosts Harm Reduction Training

LEXINGTON, Ky. – During National Foster Care Month this May, the Foster Parent Training Program (FPTP) at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) hosted a Harm Reduction training, in collaboration with the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition.

Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing the risks and negative consequences associated with substance use and improve quality of life by promoting health and safety. The training was held at the CoSW Centers & Lab’s Coldstream Research Campus and covered topics such as:

How Substance Use Disorders (SUD) affect our community
Fentanyl, xylazine, and test strips
Recognizing an overdose
Prevention of an overdose
Good Samaritan Law
Talking to your youth about drugs

“I think one of the most important takeaways was learning what an overdose actually looks like and recognizing the behavioral changes that might indicate someone is using these types of substances,” Melanie Parsons, program coordinator for the FPTP, said. “It was also valuable to learn how to have open, informed conversations with youth about drugs, and how to use testing materials to check vape pens and other items that adolescents might use to conceal substance use.”

Participants received a Naloxone Rescue Kit and were given more information on the different trainings offered by the FPTP. Foster parents also received elective training credit for Kentucky Foster Parents. Basic & Advanced Foster Parents, Fictive Kin Foster Parents, Care Plus, or Therapeutic Foster Parents.

For more information on the FPTP and to register for upcoming trainings, please visit the Foster Parent Training Program website.

May 23, 2025

UK Social Work Researchers Explore Youth Life Skill Transfer Through Sports

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Dr. Tarkington J Newman, Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) and Director of the Sport Social Work Research Lab, and Ph.D. student Levone Lee have been published in the journal Research on Social Work Practice for their collaborative study offering a unique look into the lived experiences of youth.

The article, titled “Photo-Based Methods to Illustrate the What-Where-How of Life Skill Transfer”, explores how youth participating in sport-based positive youth development (PYD) programs transfer life skills learned through sport to other areas of their lives. The study illustrates a range of life skill transfer opportunities, as well as the importance of key adult figures.

Findings gleaned from photograph notebooks, which featured photos taken by youth, illustrate the what-where-how of life skills transfer.

“The life skills youth depicted transferring included self-control, effort, teamwork, as well as personal and social responsibility. Further, findings highlight specific transfer contexts like home, school, community, and highlight how life skills are applied,” Newman said.

The study also found that life skill application varied by context and that youth use skills differently or multiple skills simultaneously at school, at home, and in sport settings.

For Lee, a third-year Ph.D. student, the inspiration to get involved in this study stemmed from a commitment to the Grand Challenges of Social Work, particularly the goal of enhancing healthy development for all youth.

“I was drawn to the strengths-based approach of positive youth development, which focuses on building the existing abilities and potential of young people,” Lee said. “PYD programs not only support social-emotional growth but also help youth develop critical life skills that can be applied across all areas of life.”

Newman and Lee have collaborated on several projects together, including Lee’s first lead-author article, “Attitudes Toward Aggressive and Violent Behaviors and the Role of Life Skills Among University Club Sport Athletes”.

Working with Newman has been an impactful experience for Lee, deepening his understanding of rigorous scholarship and opening doors to valuable collaborative opportunities.

“I’m especially grateful for Dr. Newman’s mentorship and the chance to contribute to research that has real-world impact. This experience has reinforced my commitment to advancing knowledge and practice in the social work profession.”

For Newman, the opportunity to mentor and collaborate with students like Lee is a privilege.

“Levone’s collaboration on this study is particularly meaningful, as this manuscript is the fifth and final article to be published from my own dissertation,” Newman said. “As an esteemed social work journal, the ability to publish in Research on Social Work Practice is an honor and provides a meaningful platform to disseminate our study findings.”

May 23, 2025

Fostering Resilience: Q&A with CoSW’s Dr. Taylor Dowdy-Hazlett

LEXINGTON, Ky. — During National Foster Care Month this May, the College of Social Work sat down with Dr. Taylor Dowdy-Hazlett, CoSW assistant professor, to learn more about her research on the wellbeing of children and youth involved in the foster care system.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your research priority area?

I’m Dr. Taylor Dowdy-Hazlett, a third-year assistant professor at the College of Social Work. My research focuses on the wellbeing of children and youth involved in the foster care system. I take a holistic approach, examining everything from the effectiveness of mental health interventions for youth to the challenges faced by foster parents, all with the goal of identifying supports that can stabilize placements and improve outcomes.

2. What are the current projects you are working on?

That’s a loaded question! I’m currently continuing work on a group therapy intervention my team from Florida State University and I adapted specifically for youth in foster care. I’m also collaborating with CoSW Centers & Labs to evaluate the Foster Parent Mentor Program and Kinship Navigator program. I am working alongside Dr. Shelby Clark on several projects, one of which involves exploring youth transitioning from foster care into adulthood and their support needs.

Additionally, we recently received a grant to explore how natural disasters affect the child welfare system—looking at everything from how families are contacted about their children in care to how caseworkers manage their responsibilities while ensuring their own families are safe.

3. What inspired you to begin research around foster care?

Prior to getting my Ph.D., I worked directly in child welfare and served as a clinician for children impacted by the foster care system. That frontline experience greatly informs my research. I’m driven to help build a system of care that truly supports and empowers children and families, offering the resources they need to thrive.

4. How do you hope this research impacts current and former foster youth?

I aim to amplify the voices of youth with lived experience in care—allowing them to share their stories and identify the gaps in the system. I believe in co-creating solutions that make the system less traumatic and more supportive. Ultimately, I hope my research contributes to a child welfare system that prioritizes the wellbeing and dignity of every young person it serves.

5. What are some resources available at the UK College of Social Work for foster and adoptive families?

There are several resources at the CoSW for foster (i.e., traditional, kin, fictive-kin) and adoptive families. Our centers such as the Kentucky Kinship Resource Center (KKRC) and Adoption Support for Kentucky (ASK), provide services to foster and adoptive parents. These services include training and webinar opportunities, as well as peer support and mentoring programs. Check out the CoSW Training Resource Center website for more information and a calendar of upcoming events:

6. May is National Foster Care Month; how does your research contribute to the goals of this month?

National Foster Care Month is a time to honor the resilience of children and youth in care, as well as the dedication of those who support them—foster parents, agencies, and caseworkers to name a few. It’s also a critical moment for raising awareness about the needs of youth in foster care, from advocacy and reunification support to resources for those aging out of care. My research supports these goals by identifying effective interventions, highlighting systemic gaps, and advocating for evidence-based improvements.

7. What does National Foster Care Month mean to you?

Every child in foster care has a unique story shaped by trauma and separation from their family. Unfortunately, there’s often stigma surrounding families involved in the child welfare system—yet many are navigating generational trauma with limited support. National Foster Care Month is a powerful reminder that these youth didn’t choose to be in care or to be placed with strangers. Their voices and experiences matter deeply. For me, this month is about recommitting to research that centers their needs and helps build a more compassionate, effective system.

8. Anything else you would like to add regarding your research or National Foster Care Month?

If anyone is interested in my research or exploring opportunities for collaboration—whether through program evaluation, intervention development, or applied research—I would love to connect. Please reach out to tdhazlett@uky.edu. I welcome partnerships that aim to improve outcomes and enhance support systems for youth in foster care. National Foster Care Month is a time to come together as researchers, practitioners, and advocates to drive meaningful change, and I’m always open to working with others who share that mission.

May 15, 2025

CoSW grad standing in front of UK 25 Grad sign

College of Social Work honors record-setting Class of 2025

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) celebrated its graduating class of 2025 on Friday, May 9 at Rupp Arena and at the CoSW’s Graduation Celebration.

The CoSW is committed to developing outstanding professionals, leaders who will serve individuals, families, and communities through innovative and effective practices that are guided by a pragmatic understanding of the human condition.

The CoSW is also celebrating a historic milestone as it graduates its first-ever class of Criminal Justice majors. These students are the first in the university’s history to leave UK with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Criminal Justice, programs that launched in Fall 2023 as part of CoSW’s commitment to advancing social justice and public service.

The Class of 2025 join the ranks of CoSW alumni, poised to shape the future with integrity, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

“I’m really excited to be walking across that stage today,” Sara Corman, a Master of Social Work (MSW) graduate, said. “I’ve been in school for the past four years and this is a lot of hard work finally paying off. I’m so honored to be a social worker and to show my children what the future looks like in social work.”

Prior to the commencement ceremony Friday evening, the College of Social Work hosted a Graduation Celebration at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Lexington, inviting all graduates and their loved ones to come together and meet their fellow graduates.

“We are incredibly proud of our spring term graduates. Throughout their academic journey, they have demonstrated professionalism, a deep curiosity for learning, and a clear vision for turning their education into meaningful work that will positively impact communities around the world,” Dr. Matt Moore, CoSW Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, said.

Among those who walked across the stage in Rupp Arena was Raven Whitaker-Smith, a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) graduate who, by the time she was 12-years-old, had already lived through more than most do in a lifetime.

“I haven’t actually talked about how proud I am of myself, but to be the first person from my biological family to graduate high school and then move on to college, I’m so incredibly proud of myself,” Whitaker-Smith said. “No one but my parents have seen the things that I’ve had to do to get to where I am today.”

The College of Social Work congratulates the class of 2025 and looks forward to the impact CoSW graduates continue to make on the Commonwealth and beyond, improving the human condition always, in all ways.

May 14, 2025

A woman looking at the swag at the CRP table

Southern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel Hosts Conversation on Collaboration

By: Tara Pulaski

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Southern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel hosted A Conversation on Collaboration on April 25, an annual conference designed to support frontline social workers and foster parents. Over 60 attendees gathered at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington to learn strategies to best support youth in out-of-home care.

This year’s conference theme centered on support and safety for older youth in foster care. Sessions included youth and substance use, medication and firearm safety, caring for children that have experienced trauma, collaborating with Children’s Advocacy Centers to increase positive outcomes for youth, and preventing child sexual abuse. Continuing Education credits were also offered through the Kentucky Board of Social Work.

A Conversation on Collaboration is designed to bring together viewpoints from across child welfare, especially frontline social workers and foster parents who are both integral for children’s success. The conference name comes from the panel’s belief that the best way to support children is through collaboration and communication across different system roles.

Additionally, the yearly conference serves as a way for the panel to give back to those that do such great work for Kentucky’s children and families. For National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, the Southern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel would like to thank and recognize the hard work of DCBS frontline workers, foster and adoptive parents, and child welfare professionals that work tirelessly to keep children safe.

Kentucky’s nine CRPs are facilitated by the University of Kentucky’s College of Social Work in collaboration with Kentucky’s Department for Community Based Services (DCBS). CRPs are groups of volunteers that work to improve the safety and well-being of children in Kentucky. For more information, please reach out to Tara Pulaski, the CRP Program Coordinator (Tara.Pulaski@uky.edu).

May 6, 2025

CoSW Graduate standing in front of CoSW Grad sign

UK College of Social Work honors 2025 graduating class on Friday

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The College of Social Work (CoSW) at the University of Kentucky proudly celebrates the accomplishments of its graduating class of 2025 on Friday, May 9 at 6 p.m. Amidst an atmosphere of celebration and reflection, graduates of the College of Social Work will join faculty, staff, families, and friends at Rupp Arena in Lexington to honor a defining moment in their academic journey. 

The ceremony is a tribute to the perseverance, dedication, and commitment of each student. As the graduates walk across the stage, the occasion marks their emergence as prepared professionals poised to make a meaningful impact in the world.

The CoSW is also proud to recognize the first graduating cohort of the University of Kentucky’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) and Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Trailblazers at UK and in the communities they will serve.

The CoSW looks forward to celebrating its graduates at the Grad Gathering, hosted by the UK Alumni Association, following the ceremony, and at the Graduation Celebration, hosted by the CoSW. Throughout the week, graduates are invited to share their photos with the CoSW for an opportunity to be highlighted on social media. Please use #UKCoSWGrad25 on all their social media posts from the week to be featured at the Graduation Celebration.

Graduation Celebration (hosted by UK College of Social Work)

Day: May 9, 2025
Time: 12:30 – 2 p.m.

Refreshments will be provided.

Location: Hilton Hotel (369 West Vine Street, Lexington, KY 40507) 2nd Floor in Salon B,C, and D.

The Graduation Celebration, occurring after commencement, is a longer event and is exclusively for College of Social Work graduates. There will be food, photo opportunities, and an opportunity to spend more quality time with your fellow graduates as well as college faculty and staff.

Parking:

If you are attending the Graduation Celebration, please park at the Hilton Hotel garage.

Bring your parking ticket: Please make sure to bring your parking ticket with you to the reception.

Where to get your parking validation sticker: You can pick up your validation sticker from Bryan Back or the CoSW team at the check-in table.

Parking validation: The validation sticker will allow you to exit the parking garage without additional charges.

Our team will be there to welcome you and will ask if you brought your parking ticket as part of the check-in process to make this as smooth as possible.

Grad Gathering (hosted by UK Alumni Association)

Time: Immediately following commencement
Location: Rupp Arena

More information on commencement.

The Grad Gathering, occurring immediately following commencement in Rupp Arena, is an event at which all colleges with students graduating during the commencement ceremony will be represented, including the College of Social Work. The CoSW will be there with a small table and a gift for each graduate. Graduates typically walk through this space quickly before reuniting with any friends and family who watched them participate in commencement.

May 5, 2025

The College of Social Work Honors National Foster Care Month this May

LEXINGTON, Ky. – This May, the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) honors National Foster Care Month, recognizing the contributions of child welfare professionals, caregivers, and communities in supporting children, youth, and families across the country.

Nationally, just over 365,000 children and youth in foster care. In Kentucky, just over 8,000 children have been placed in out-of-home care.

This month, we focus on the impact that relational connections have on improving long-term well-being for children and youth in foster care and the importance of providing concrete supports, appropriate interventions, and opportunities for youth.

At the CoSW, we offer many programs that help support foster families across the Commonwealth. Learn more and how to get involved in these programs below.

Adoption Support for Kentucky

Adoption Support for Kentucky (ASK) is an award-winning program that utilizes innovative training modalities and inclusive support group practices to meet the needs of foster, adoptive, relative, and fictive-kin caregivers throughout the Commonwealth.

Earn and Learn

Earn and Learn is an initiative sponsored by the Department for Community Based Services that supports current and former foster youth in boosting their earning potential through the completion of short-term training programs.

Foster Parent Mentor Program

The Foster Parent Mentor Program specializes in one-on-one, short-term, intensive coaching relationships, which provide newly approved foster parents emotional encouragement, skill reinforcement, and parenting strategies unique to providing out-of-home care to enhance the quality of care provided and stabilize placements.

Foster Parent Training Program

The Foster Parent Training Program (FPTP) uses a collaborative approach to provide an array of training and support services for foster parents in Kentucky. The FPTP designs relevant, comprehensive curricula to address the unique needs of foster youth through ongoing, elective foster parent training credit.

Fostering Success

Fostering Success is a 10-week workforce development initiative sponsored by the Department for Community Based Services that provides current and former foster youth the opportunity to participate in a paid internship, while receiving professional development and career planning support. The goal of the program is to provide participants an opportunity to develop the skills necessary to excel in the emerging workforce.

For more information and to see more resources offered for foster and adoptive families, please visit the Training Resource Center website.

May 1, 2025

START program earns Certified State Infrastructure Affiliate designation from the National START Training and Technical Assistance Program

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW), in partnership with the Department for Community Based Services, is proud to announce that the Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams (START) program has received the Certified State Infrastructure Affiliate designation from the National START Training and Technical Assistance Program at Children and Family Futures.

This certification is in recognition of the START program’s commitment to model fidelity, high-quality implementation, and sustained infrastructure to support families in Kentucky.

The START program, a nationally recognized model, pairs child protective services (CPS) workers trained in family engagement with family mentors (peer support employees in long-term recovery) using a system-of-care and team decision-making approach with families, treatment providers and the courts.

*Members of START Team and Children and Family Futures from left to right: Erin Smead, Felicita Quinones, Kathy Kleier-Coates, John Lewis and Tina Willauer.*

Essential elements of the model include quick entry to START services to safely maintain child placement in the home when possible and rapid access to intensive addiction and mental health assessment and treatment.

Recently, START gained national attention from the Administration for Children and Families for START’s work utilizing prevention services and Title-IV-E federal funding to prevent child removal.

This certification demonstrates the START team’s leadership in building and maintaining the foundational systems necessary to implement START with fidelity across multiple local counties in Kentucky.

“The resilience of our team is the heart of what makes our team so strong. We’ve got amazing frontline staff, great supervisors, and we’re incredibly proud and thankful to be part of this and earn this certification,” John Lewis, START program director, said.

The designation is awarded based on a demonstrated ability to drive implementation, quality improvement, and competency development at the state level. Certification is valid for three years, with annual reporting and collaborative cross-site events required to maintain status.

“START gave me a chance and never gave up on me,” a START participant said. “START was there for me and reminded me that I am not alone. Today, I have my life back. I am proud of me today.”

As START remains an impactful program across Kentucky and the United States, it stays true to its values and hopes to help more families struggling with substance misuse. For more information about START, please visit the START website.

April 30, 2025

Grounded Together: UK DSW Class of 2025 leaves a legacy of support for former foster youth

LEXINGTON, Ky. – As the University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s (CoSW) Class of 2025 prepares to make their way across the stage on May 9, the 2025 Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) cohort looks to leave a legacy at UK and across the Commonwealth.

Embodying the core values of social work, the 2025 cohort of DSW scholars developed Grounded Together: Creating a Place at UK, a class gift designed to support students with foster care experience at UK and in the Lexington area.

The Grounded Together initiative will provide resources such as educational materials, mentorship opportunities, extracurricular and leadership development, and emergency assistance for former foster youth attending UK.

The goal of this initiative? To address critical needs and create opportunities for former foster youth to thrive in an academic setting.

“Grounded Together is deeply personal to me. As a former Child Protective Services worker and Independent Living Specialist, I have seen firsthand how hard it can be for youth aging out of foster care to find their footing,” Brittany Hamilton, 2025 CoSW doctoral candidate and creator of Grounded Together, said. “This initiative is a way to say to those students, ‘We see you. You are not alone. You deserve stability, support, and a space to thrive.’”

A full circle moment for many in the DSW Class of 2025, this initiative serves to actualize the College’s mission of improving the human condition and speaks to the reason many began their journey in social work.

As the president of the 2025 cohort of DSW Scholars, Lila Elliott sees the initiative as a way to pay forward the support she has received and leave a tangible impact on the community that she serves.

“Our class recognized the unique struggles of former foster youth and felt a responsibility to create something enduring that addresses those needs. It’s about more than charity, it is a statement of solidarity and a belief in equity,” Elliott said. “For me personally, with my commitment to trauma-informed care, leaving this legacy felt like planting seeds for systemic change, ensuring future generations have a stronger foundation to build on.”

A blueprint for future DSW scholars, both Hamilton and Elliott hope that Grounded Together serves as a cornerstone for cohorts to come, building on the initiative as a testament to the power of giving back through educational support.

“Grounded Together is about leaving behind something rooted in gratitude and growth. The DSW program has not just advanced my academic path, it has enhanced my social work practice, sharpened my leadership, and expanded my heart,” Hamilton said. “My hope is to leave UK better, bolder, and more grounded than when I started.”

The Grounded Together fund is currently accepting donations and encouraging those who would like to be involved to volunteer as mentors or community advocates. For more information and to get involved please contact Brittany Hamilton at brittany.hamilton@uky.edu and Lila Elliott lel245@uky.edu or visit the UK Giving website and mark the Fund Selection: Social Work, and for Gift Instructions: Gift for Grounded Together.

April 29, 2025

📷Highlights: 2025 Foster & Adoptive Parent Appreciation Day

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As National Foster Care Month approaches in May, the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW), alongside the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS), hosted a Statewide Foster and Adoptive Parent Appreciation event at the Louisville Zoo on Saturday, April 19.

The 2024 Foster and Adoptive Families of the Year were in attendance, as well as DCBS staff members, and College of Social Work Centers & Labs staff members.

Sheila Miracle, CoSW Assistant Director for the Training Resource Center, gave the opening remarks, followed by Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Eric Friedlander.

“This annual event is an opportunity not only to recognize your contributions, but also to highlight the importance of partnership, perseverance, and community in the lives of children who need it most,” Miracle said in her remarks. “Whether through daily caregiving, navigating complex systems, or simply providing a safe and loving home, your impact is immeasurable.”

Families were provided lunch and tickets to spend the afternoon as a family at the zoo. Family portraits were also taken and provided to the families, celebrating the hard work and commitment it takes to raise a foster or adopted child.