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Headshot of Glenn Sterner

Social Work’s Glenn Sterner to host talk on reducing stigma around substance use disorder

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s Dr. Glenn Sterner, in partnership with Penn State University, is hosting a conversation with US Representative Madeline Dean and ESPN reporter Lauren Sisler, discussing substance use disorder and addressing the stigma around substance use issues.

The conversation, taking place on Penn State’s campus in Abington, Pennsylvania on Monday, Dec. 8, will address substance use issues that face individuals and families across the country. Both Dean and Sisler will share their familial experiences with substance use disorder, as well as ways to overcome the stigma associated with these issues.

“This conversation is vitally important so others know that talking about substance use and the realities of how it impacts individuals, families, and communities helps to reduce stigma toward this medical condition,” notes Sterner. “Stigma remains a significant barrier for those who may need assistance with substance use issues, and partnerships that bridge higher education, policy, and public awareness, like this with Rep. Dean and Ms. Sisler, can help to ensure that our work in higher education is relevant to addressing these issues in practice.”

Sterner, an Associate Professor in Criminal Justice, joined the CoSW in August, 2025, bringing a deep commitment to community-based research and engagement, leading projects that span substance use, human trafficking, gambling, and public safety.

Over the course of his career, Sterner has secured more than $12 million in local, state, and federal grant funding from agencies such as the National Institute of Justice, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Justice, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to address these critical issues in communities across the country. 

In addition to research, Sterner has made significant contributions to public health policy and community infrastructure. He was instrumental in the development of Pennsylvania’s strategy for allocating opioid settlement funds and led statewide training initiatives on overdose death reporting. He also created the Story Powered Initiative to combat stigma and co-founded Pennsylvania State University’s Substance Use Stigma Reduction Collaborative. 

Tiffany Malicote holding diploma with Sergeant Donald Horton at the Lexington Community Police Academy

Criminal Justice graduate earns degree while honoring sister’s legacy

LEXINGTON, Ky. – As December commencement draws near, Tiffany Malicote, 2025 University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) graduate, reflects on the last thing her older sister, Ashley, said to her before passing away in June 2025.

“I’m proud of you.”

Those words have guided Malicote, who will graduate on December 19 with her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The first of her family, alongside her brother, to graduate from college.

Tiffany Malicote's graduation cap honoring her older sister
Tiffany Malicote’s graduation cap honoring her older sister.

Malicote’s journey has been far from easy, losing five family members, including her sister, in the span of 22 months. A mom of four, Malicote leaned on her support system at UK and the CoSW as she made it to the finish line of her degree.

“Walking across that stage to receive my diploma, it means so much to me because I had every reason not to,” Malicote shared. “I had every reason not to keep going. But I did. Everything I’ve been through in my life, and all the experiences I’ve had, I never thought I would graduate but here I am.”

Earning two Associate Degrees of Applied Science from Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC), Malicote enrolled in the CoSW’s new Criminal Justice Program in the fall of 2023. The support system at UK played a large part in Malicote’s decision on where to further her education, sharing that her transition from BCTC was smooth and comfortable due to the responsiveness and degree planning provided by the CoSW advisors.

Another support that came right on time, shared Malicote, was the UK Women & Philanthropy Scholarship she received prior to the 2025 school year, during a time of deep grief.

“The scholarship helped me persevere to finish my degree,” Malicote said. “My sister’s death was very hard on me; I missed a large amount of work and school. This scholarship came right on time. It helped me with my tuition and inspired me to keep going.”

Persevering through adversity was the theme of Malicote’s UK experience, navigating grief while also pursuing her dream of working in the criminal justice field.

While at the CoSW, Malicote had the opportunity to participate in a job shadow at the Lexington Police Department (LPD), as well as complete her internship at the LPD.

“I’m excited that the College of Social Work has a partnership with the Lexington Police Department and that UK gives students the opportunity to engage with them and get to know them as the humans that they are, not just cops, because that is probably the most life-changing thing that’s happened to me,” Malicote said.

Following graduation, Malicote will continue her education, enrolling in the Master of Criminal Justice (MSCJ) program at the CoSW, as well as continuing her passion in forensics through workshops and trainings.

By sharing her experience, Malicote hopes it inspires other students, as well as her children, to keep going, regardless of the obstacles in their path. Malicote also shares that scholarships, like the UK Women & Philanthropy Scholarship, make a large impact for students with similar experiences to her.

“When you have students like me who’ve just been given obstacle after obstacle, and then they earn a scholarship, it lights a fire. And it makes you feel recognized, and it gives you that courage to realize, I can really do this. I can really do this,” Malicote said.

With her family in attendance on December 19, Malicote will receive her degree, proving to herself that she can do it and showing her four children the true courage and strength of their mom.

And through it all, Ashley will be there every step of the way.

“She kept me going. Even when losing her would have been the thing that could have taken me out and made me quit. I just hope that my sister knows that I am everything I am because I always wanted to be just like her. I knew that she was proud of me, and I want to continue to make her proud.”

Social Work’s Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Team recognized for commitment to Kentucky’s families

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Demonstrating commitment to model fidelity, high-quality implementation, and sustained infrastructure to support families in Kentucky, the Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams (START) program has received a three-year recertification for the Boyd, Jefferson and Kenton County sites.

The START program, housed at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) in partnership with the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS),  is a nationally recognized model that 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.

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

“Achieving recertification brings added technical assistance and specialized START training for our frontline staff,” said John Lewis, START Program Director. “These opportunities strengthen our team and ultimately translate to higher-quality service for the families we serve.”

Essential elements of the START 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.

“This recertification is a reminder of the larger impact we’re making in child welfare,” Lewis said. “The work can be emotionally challenging but I hope this achievement helps our team see that their efforts matter and that they are changing lives for families.”

Recently, in April 2025,  START received the Certified State Infrastructure Affiliate designation from the National START Training and Technical Assistance Program at Children and Family Futures, awarded based on a demonstrated ability to drive implementation, quality improvement, and competency development at the state level.  This provided START provided with credentials as Qualified State START Training and Technical Assistance Providers. 

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.

Two people holding hands

National Adoption Month: Pathways to Permanency

By: Emily Hendrickson, Adoption Support for Kentucky Program Coordinator

A call to honor youth by strengthening pathways to permanency

“I just wanted a family who wouldn’t give up on me.”

When a Kentucky teenager spoke these words, they cut through all the bureaucracy, all the statistics, all the well-meaning policies that make up our child welfare system. In one simple sentence, this young person articulated what National Adoption Month is truly about: the fundamental human need to belong.

This November, as we observe National Adoption Month under the theme “Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds,” we must ask ourselves a difficult question: Are we truly listening to what young people in foster care are telling us?

The Reality Behind the Numbers

Right now, 8,647 Kentucky children are living in out-of-home care. More than 2,200 of them cannot safely return to their birth families and need adoptive homes. The average child enters care at age seven and remains there until age ten. These aren’t just statistics—they’re childhoods marked by uncertainty, transitions, and the exhausting work of wondering if anyone will commit to staying.

But there’s another number that tells a different story: More than 55,000 Kentucky children are being raised by kinship caregivers—grandparents, aunts, uncles, and family friends who stepped up when children needed them most. Our kinship care rate stands at twice the national average, reflecting something deeply rooted in Kentucky culture: when family needs help, we answer.

So why do thousands of children still wait?

What Youth Really Need

Having worked alongside the child welfare community, I’ve learned that young people in foster care are experts in their own experiences. They understand something that sometimes gets lost in paperwork and court dates: permanency isn’t about a legal status. It’s about people who show up consistently, who stay through difficult moments, who commit to being there for the long haul.

The Adoption Support for Kentucky (ASK) program, based at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work, operates from this understanding. ASK recognizes that adoption isn’t the end of a story—it’s the beginning of a lifelong relationship that requires ongoing support. Through peer-led groups, trauma-informed training, and the Kentucky Adoption Mentoring Program (KAMP), ASK helps families not just survive, but thrive together.

This matters because many families enter adoption with tremendous love but may not fully understand the impact of trauma, loss, and attachment challenges that children in foster care have experienced. Good intentions aren’t enough. Families need preparation, support, and connection with others who understand the journey.

The Power of Voice

Research shows that when young people participate meaningfully in decisions about their futures, outcomes improve dramatically. Better matches. More stable placements. Greater satisfaction for everyone involved. This isn’t surprising—would any of us want the most important decisions of our lives made without our input?

Yet too often, we make plans for youth rather than with them. Honoring youth means recognizing them as partners in their own permanency journey, not simply as recipients of services. It means creating space for them to express their fears, hopes, and needs without judgment. It means teaching caregivers how to have difficult conversations and honor a child’s past while building a future together.

A Call to Action

National Adoption Month shouldn’t be just about celebration—it must be a call to action. Every Kentuckian has a role to play in strengthening pathways to permanency.

If you’ve considered adoption or foster care, now is the time to learn more. Attend an ASK training or support group. The need is particularly urgent for families willing to adopt school-age children and teens—the young people most likely to age out of the system without permanent families.

If you’re already an adoptive or kinship caregiver, consider mentoring through KAMP. Your experience and wisdom could be exactly what another family needs to persevere through challenges.

If you’re a community member, educator, or advocate, champion trauma-informed, youth-centered policies in your sphere of influence. Share positive adoption stories to reduce stigma and inspire others.

The Kentucky We Can Build

Behind every statistic lives a story. Within every story lives a child with dreams, strengths, and an innate desire to belong. The question isn’t whether these young people deserve forever families—of course they do. The question is whether we, as a Commonwealth, will rise to meet this need.

Kentucky has a strong foundation of family-centered care and a culture of kinship support that runs deep. We have dedicated professionals, evidence-based programs, and compassionate caregivers already doing this work. What we need now is more of us stepping forward—not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary.

The work of honoring youth extends far beyond November. It’s a daily commitment to listening to young people, believing in their potential, and ensuring they have the support and permanency they need to flourish. It’s about creating a Kentucky where no child ages out alone, where every young person can find what they’ve been seeking all along: a family who will never give up on them.

That teenager’s words still echo: “I just wanted a family who wouldn’t give up on me.”

Kentucky’s children are waiting. Will we answer?

To learn more about adoption, foster care, or kinship support in Kentucky, visit the Adoption Support for Kentucky (ASK) website or visit your local Department for Community Based Services office.

The Hurt-Mueller family with a judge following the adoption of their son, Will.

Social Work’s ASK Program strengthens families across Kentucky during National Adoption Month

LEXINGTON, Ky. – For many, November is a month that launches the holiday season, a time to come together with family. For Jamie and Joseph Hurt-Mueller, November also brings with it celebration, a time to honor the transformative power of family, connection, and belonging during National Adoption Month.

The Hurt-Mueller’s began their adoption journey in 2018, fostering to adopt their daughter. In 2020, she was officially made part of the family, Jamie describing their daughter as the perfect fit.

From there, the Hurt-Mueller’s fostered several children until their family grew once more, adopting their son, who the Hurt-Mueller’s had an instant connection with, in 2024. Now, Jamie and Joseph are navigating the joys and challenges of parenting their 18-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son.

The Hurt-Mueller family on a family vacation in Hawaii
The Hurt-Mueller family on a vacation in Hawaii.

“We knew we wanted a family and we didn’t put a number on it; it was just that we wanted children, and we knew there was a foster parent need in Kentucky,” Jamie said. “Adopting and parenting teenagers is difficult but at the same time, it’s very rewarding. They have taught us so much.”

Navigating those teenage years is what got the Hurt-Mueller’s involved in UK College of Social Work’s (CoSW) Adoption Support for Kentucky (ASK) program, attending the Foster/Adoptive Parents of Teens Support Group, hosted by Stephanie Spires, Adoptive Parent Facilitator.

“Every month we attend the teen support group with Stephanie, it’s great,” Jamie shared. “Parents, foster parents, adoptive parents—everyone should attend. We just talk about anything and everything with these kids. It’s a great resource to have each other, whether we vent or learn something new.”

Through this support group, the Hurt-Mueller’s have connected with other parents who are navigating a similar journey with their teens, building relationships that transcend the weekly meetings.

In addition to attending the support group, the Hurt-Mueller’s utilize ASK’s online database, which hosts a variety of trainings, from trauma-informed care to sibling attachment and adoption. Jamie shared the flexibility of the trainings being online, as well as the variety of the topics covered, have made ASK an asset in their foster and adoption journey.

Another piece of advice Jamie shares, in addition to joining ASK support groups and trainings, is to keep an open mind during the foster and adoption process.

“Take your trainings, go to support groups, and realize that some kids you meet—you instantly know they’re yours. I knew mine,” Hurt-Mueller shared.

The ASK program serves as a cornerstone of support for adoptive, foster, and kinship families throughout the Commonwealth. 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 opening chapter of a lifelong relationship that requires ongoing nurturing, support, and understanding.

During the month of November, ASK is offering a training or support group every day. Learn more and browse the support groups and trainings here.

Photo of Kayla Gill in graduation regalia

Social Work Alum Leads the Way for First-Generation Wildcats

LEXINGTON, Ky. – For Kayla Gill, Ph.D., social work was meant for her. As a first-generation college student from Lexington, and UK Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) alum, Gill now has the opportunity to give back to the community she was once a part of.  

Gill now serves as the Associate Director for CARES First-Generation in the Office of Student Success, focusing on program advising and student support, planning events like First-Gen Week and creating the First-Gen Faculty program.  

As the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) celebrates First-Gen Week during November 3-8, Gill shares her story, aligning with the theme of the week, “First-Gen: Telling Our Stories.” 

Headshot of Kayla Gill / Associate Director, First-Generation Initiatives

“As a first-gen student, I had the typical journey of having to figure things out on my own and using that strength to navigate my way through,” Gill shared. “The College of Social Work was home for me and set me up for success. It gave me a strong toolbox of skills and a deep appreciation for the people who supported me along the way.” 

Following her time at the CoSW, Gill went on to earn a Master’s in Social Work at the University of Houston and then returned to Lexington to pursue her Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation, graduating in May 2025. 

Now, her journey has come full circle as Gill and her team celebrate First-Gen Week. 

“Every first-gen story is different, and we want to honor that,” Gill said. “We’re hosting a week of events, starting with Cat Chat Live, which connects with parents and families. We’ll also have a large kickoff event with campus partners to highlight available resources, and we’ve invited campus partners to host their own celebrations.” 

The CARES First-Generation office offers many services for students, focusing on helping students get connected and set up for academic success through program advising. CARES also offers a five-week faculty program focused on supporting first-gen students and creating a community in the classroom. 

Showing up in community spaces and building relationships with staff and mentors is a piece of advice Gill shares with first-generation students and one that she followed during her time at the CoSW, getting involved in undergraduate research and studying abroad. Gill also mentioned relying on your strength as a student and person is a key factor to success. 

“Recognize that you bring unique strengths and skills from your background, like persistence and independence, that will help you succeed. Always ask for help and use your resources. It’s easy to think, “I’ve got this,” but we can’t do everything alone,” Gill shared. 

First-Gen Week gives colleges and departments across campus an opportunity to showcase how they support first-gen students and help them succeed both at UK and beyond. The CoSW will be hosting a First-Gen Fiesta on Tuesday, November 4 on the 6th floor of Patterson Office Tower. Students are invited to stop by from 10:30am – 2 p.m. for lunch and to connect with fellow students. 

For more information on First-Gen Week and to view the full calendar of events, please visit the CARES First-Generation website. 

Social Work faculty publish new Practicum handbook integrating technology standards for ethical practice

LEXINGTON, Ky. – As technology transforms higher education and social work practice, faculty at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) are leading the way with a new textbook designed to prepare students for the realities of modern social work practice.

Field Instruction: A Practicum Handbook for Social Work Students (8th Edition) provides a fresh, practice-ready approach to one of the most critical components of social work education—the practicum experience. The handbook helps students bridge classroom learning with professional application while navigating emerging technologies and ethical challenges in the field. The team of authors will also be sharing more information about the handbook at the 2025 Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2025 Annual Conference from October 23 – 26.

“This new edition reflects the dynamic nature of social work practice today,” said Dr. Jenifer Gamble, co-author and CoSW faculty member. “With new ways of communicating, such as texting, chat platforms and social media, students now have clear guidance on how to apply ethical standards to these evolving tools and engage technology responsibly to enhance service delivery.”

The updated handbook is organized into three clear sections to mirror the student experience from start to finish: Preparing for Practicum, Beginning Practicum, and During Practicum. It also features a new chapter on technology use in practicum, which integrates the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), CSWE, and Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Technology Standards through practical examples and ethical applications.

“Social work programs can now more effectively integrate this handbook early in the practicum process,” Gamble noted. “Students are encouraged to take an active role in selecting placements that align with their goals, ensuring a successful start and a strong and confident finish.”

The authors designed the text to be accessible, ensuring that all students, regardless of background or program type, can see themselves reflected in its examples and guided toward practicum opportunities that support their professional aspirations.

Field Instruction: A Practicum Handbook for Social Work Students was co-authored by CoSW faculty, Drs. Karen Badger and Jenifer Gamble, and Professors Emeritus Dr. David Royse and Dr. Surjit Singh Dhooper. Their collective expertise in social work education, supervision, and ethical practice ensures that this edition serves not only as a guidebook for students but as a cornerstone resource for programs seeking to elevate practicum education nationwide.

For more information on Field Instruction:  A Practicum Handbook for Social Work Students (Practicum Handbook; ISBN 978-1-4786-5386-8) please visit Waveland Press. The textbook will be available October 2025. 

Carly Kimiecik presenting at ASWIS

College of Social Work attends Alliance of Social Workers in Sports Annual Symposium

NEW ORLEANS – The University of Kentucky College of Social Work was well represented at the 2025 Alliance of Social Workers in Sports (ASWIS) Annual Symposium, paving the way for the future of sport social work. 

The symposium, taking place September 30 – October 1 in New Orleans, La., brought together sport social work leaders from across the world, including several CoSW faculty, staff, and students. The CoSW utilized their presence at the conference to promote the work of the International Institute for Sport and Behavioral Health, Sport Social Work Research Lab, and new educational programming. 

This year’s theme was “Sport Social Work is Everywhere” and explored the widespread impact and possibilities of sport social work, encompassing communities, partnerships and practices.  

Among those CoSW faculty in attendance was Dr. Matt Moore, CoSW Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, President of ASWIS, and Co-Director of the International Institute for Sport and Behavioral Health (IISBH) at the College of Social Work. Moore shared that the largest gains in sport social work start with conversations at the symposium. 

“Each year, the symposium brings together international leaders in sport social work and related professions. This provides an opportunity for networking on future projects related to practice, policy, and research,” Moore said. 

The Sport Social Work Collaborative, a partnership between the CoSW Sport Social Work Research Lab (SSW-RL), ASWIS and the Sport Social Work Journal (SSWJ) started with a conversation at the symposium and was developed and announced in 2024. 

Dr. Carly Kimiecik, CoSW faculty member and Assistant Director of the SSW-RL, led two presentations at the symposium: The role of injury in holistic well-being among college student-athletes: Implications for sport social work, focusing on the role of injuries on the overall wellbeing of college student-athletes, extending beyond physical health to also include mental, social and identity-related challenges. 

Kimiecik’s second presentation, Recess for champions: A collaborative approach to leadership, life skills, and community engagement for college student-athletes and Ohio youth, is a sport-based positive youth development program that connects college student-athletes with local elementary students. The program aims to build leadership, life skills, and community connections through play. 

The partnership between ASWIS and the College of Social Work is advancing the specialty of sport social work, Kimiecikshared, specifically in terms of opportunities for CoSW practicum students. 

“This collaboration creates opportunities for practicum students to engage in research or community-based practicums with the SSW-RL, depending on their interests,” Kimiecik said. “The growing Doctorate of Social Work program, particularly with its concentration in sport social work, also provides educational opportunities for students to gain more knowledge and practical experience in this area, which can be applicable in various settings.” 

The SSW-RL was also able to sponsor travel accommodations to the symposium for five student researchers and practicum students. These students facilitated two presentations, including Patterns of medication misuse and the use of performance enhancers among NAIA athletes and Women and female college athlete identity development. 

Dr. Tarkington Newman, Director of the SSW-RL and Co-Director of the IISBH was excited to provide these students with a meaningful space to learn, network and collaborate with others in the sport social work field. 

“As sport social work continues to emerge, the collaborative efforts between the SSW-RL, IISBH, and ASWIS continue to lead to the advancement of innovative research collaborations, unique educational opportunities, and critical sport-based practicum experiences,” Newman said. “Together, through these strategic partnerships, the College of Social Work is positioned as a leader in all things sport social work.” 

UK Social Work Expands C2 Initiative to Address Workforce Gaps

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is advancing its mission to bolster Kentucky’s social work workforce through its innovative C2 (Corporate Collaboration) initiative. The initiative is designed to create dynamic partnerships with industry and community organizations, emphasizing professional development, educational accessibility, tailored workforce solutions and build a multifaceted supportive community ecosystem.

C2, formally launched in 2021, fosters shared investment and integrated learning experiences while enhancing industry-specific credentials. The initiative has already made strides through key collaborations with healthcare leaders like Mountain Comprehensive Health Corporation, Appalachian Regional Healthcare, and King’s Daughters Medical Center, as well as community-based organizations like the Louisville Free Public Library and 4-H.

These partnerships address urgent workforce needs, such as behavioral and mental health care, providing employees with transformative fellowship opportunities and educational advancement tailored to their organizational needs.

“Our mission is clear: to strengthen Kentucky’s workforce and ensure equitable access to professional growth,” said Jay Miller, CoSW dean. “C2 is not just about education—it’s about creating actionable solutions to workforce shortages and empowering communities across the Commonwealth.”

A Response to Growing Behavioral Health Needs

The C2 initiative emerges as Kentucky faces a critical shortage of behavioral health professionals. Data from the American Psychological Association highlights the scale of the crisis: nearly 40% of practitioners cannot accept new patients, and nearly half are unable to meet the demand for treatment.

By integrating innovative learning models, such as CoSW’s online and hybrid programs, C2 removes barriers to education and training for rural and underserved communities. The CoSW also learns from each partnership, increasing its educational offerings not only for partners, but for students to benefit from hands-on learning.

Driving Impact Through Collaboration

C2 partnerships represent a strategic commitment to addressing workforce shortages while advancing the social work profession. By blending education, research, and industry collaboration, CoSW is preparing a new generation of practitioners ready to tackle Kentucky’s most pressing challenges.

“From rural Appalachia to urban centers, we’re committed to making a tangible difference,” Miller said. “The C2  initiative is about creating lasting change, ensuring that communities across Kentucky have the support they need and that the social work profession continues to thrive.”

Dr. Allison Wetmur Named Future Lead for Social Work Grand Challenges Futures Project

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s Dr. Alison Wetmur has been named a distinguished Future Lead for the Social Work Grand Challenges Futures project, the organization announced. As part of this special 10th anniversary initiative of the Grand Challenges for Social Work, Wetmur is pioneering critical work at the intersection of futures thinking and disability justice.

Wetmur will lead an innovative team of students, practitioners, and faculty through a comprehensive evaluation of the Grand Challenges of Social Work, specifically through a Disability Justice lens, bringing essential perspectives that center on the experiences and expertise of disabled communities.

“My goals with this project are to change the narrative about disabilities in social work and the larger world,” Wetmur shared. “Disability isn’t a “bad word,” and all lives have inherent value and dignity. As social workers, if we shift our lens, we see that our clients have a lot to teach us.”

Identifying as DeafDisabled, Wetmur is leading a team that is also comprised of people with disabilities. Her team will engage in intensive foresight training, develop innovative projects, and contribute to publications that will help shape the future of social work practice and research. Her work will be presented at the 2026 SSWR Conference and contribute to a shared edited volume on the future of the Grand Challenges for Social Work.

This work represents the cutting edge of “anticipatory social work,” using foresight-based tools and practice. Dr. Wetmur’s leadership in applying disability justice frameworks to futures thinking exemplifies the project’s commitment to power analysis and community engagement.

In addition to her work at the College of Social Work, Wetmur is also one of the founders of the Social Work Disability Justice League (SWDJL). Wetmur shares the biggest piece of advice when studying social work through a disability justice lens is to remember that it is and ongoing process that requires humility and genuine engagement with the disability community.