Author Archives: CoSW Staff

SEARCH RESULTS FOR:

Search Results

‘Behind the Blue’: Col. Teresa Murray shares Army journey, inspires future social workers

UKNow caught up with Col. Teresa Murray, director of the UK Army-Master of Social Work (MSW) program, following her promotion to colonel and ahead of Memorial Day. You can listen to the full interview on “Behind the Blue,” by clicking here.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 24, 2024) — As Memorial Day approaches, communities across the United States prepare to honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

Observed on the last Monday of May, it’s a solemn occasion dedicated to remembering and paying tribute to the fallen heroes of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Originating after the Civil War as Decoration Day, this federal holiday has evolved into a time for reflection, commemoration and gratitude for the freedoms secured by those who served.

Through parades, ceremonies and moments of silence, Americans unite to recognize the courage and dedication of these individuals — ensuring their legacy lives on in the heart of our nation.

“It’s only because of those sacrifices the rest of us can live the free life that we do,” Teresa Murray said. “They gave it all, because they understood they had a calling.”

As a young girl growing up in a military family, Murray also knew she had a calling.

Following high school graduation, the eager 18-year-old immediately headed for the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Murray excelled during her four years at the Academy, and in 2002, she was commissioned as a medical service corps officer for the Army with an initial assignment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina (now Fort Liberty).

Murray would follow her passion to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, and onto Fort Hood, Texas, before being deployed to Iraq in 2006.

“It was a long 15-month deployment, during the surge in Baghdad. I took command of a medical company while I was there,” she said. “And around that time is when I heard about the Army advertising a Master of Social Work program.”

Soon after, Murray realized she had already been searching for ways to help her fellow comrades beyond combat.

“That was really appealing to me, because as a company commander at the time, I was working very closely with my soldiers,” she explained. “I was helping them solve problems that arose — whether that was personally or professionally — and helping link them to resources. That’s a lot of what social workers do in the military.”

In October 2016, the UK College of Social Work (CoSW) established a partnership with the Department of Defense to offer the one-of-a-kind Army-UK Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.

A satellite site was established within the Army Medical Department Center and School, now known as the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, at Fort Sam Houston. The satellite implements the full-time, 60-hour CoSW program including over 1,000 hours of field education in local social work agencies. The curriculum is delivered in a condensed format over 14 continuous months of study, and all classes are administered face-to-face on the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston campus. The goal is to develop well-qualified clinical social workers to fill positions across military service branches.

Murray and her husband (who also had a military background) applied to the accelerated program and were accepted.

In 2009, they both graduated with their MSW.

Murray quickly landed a position as a behavioral health officer with the second Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell and later deployed with them to Afghanistan.

Armed with the knowledge from her degree, she was determined to provide the mental health care that men and women in uniform deserve.

“Often, I will talk to people, and they’re just astounded or surprised that we (military social workers) exist,” she said. “But there’s a lot of similarities between military service and social work, because they’re both very service driven professions.”

Though in a different capacity, Murray felt as if she was doing her part to serve her country and her fellow soldiers.

Life was going according to plan — as much as it can when you’re in the armed services and in a combat zone.

That’s when an unexpected call from home changed everything.

“It was while I was in Afghanistan that my husband was killed in a car accident. I had to return home,” she said. “Throughout that process, I was trying to decide whether I would stay in the military. We had two young children at that point (a four-year-old and a 21-month-old). It was never my plan to be a single mother in the Army.”

Murray leaned on her support system and also continued to provide support to others in need.

“I had some really good mentors that I was working with at the time, helping me look at all my options, and I decided to go ahead and stay in and move to Fort Gordon, Georgia,” she said. “I took a clinic chief position, leading the child and family behavioral health service, which provides behavioral health counseling to service members, spouses, families and children.”

Murray later “took a knee” to balance family life and pursue a Ph.D. “And then kind of my dream job from there was to go back to the Army’s MSW program,” she said. “In 2020, I had the opportunity to do that and became the executive officer of the program.”

Today, Murray is at the helm of the program she graduated from and continues to rise within the Army ranks.

In April of this year, she was promoted to the rank of colonel. There are currently fewer than 10 active-duty social workers holding that title in the Army.

With more than 21 years of active federal service, Col. Murray says the role of social workers in the military continues to evolve.

“Educating social workers is one of our biggest priorities. It’s critical for our service members and their families to ensure they have access to all the mental health and well-being services, benefits, and resources they need — both in uniform and after service.”

More than two decades ago, Col. Murray answered a calling. Today, she remains on a mission.

“These future graduates might be the next social worker that’s helping one of my kids in the clinic,” Murray said. “We want to make sure that we prepare them, we support them in the ways that they need, because America’s sons and daughters deserve no less.”

You can learn more about the Army-MSW program here.

“Behind the Blue” is available on iTunes, Google Play and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It’s all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky. 

College of Social Work graduate pens op-ed on perseverance as a nontraditional student

My name is Lakyn Collins. I am a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work student who just completed my degree this semester and attended commencement on the evening of May 3. I wanted not only to share my story of what led me to the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) but also to thank the CoSW staff and faculty for the role that they probably were unaware they played.

I am 31 years old, and I am from a small town in Eastern Kentucky. I grew up in extreme poverty within a family built on addiction and abuse. At 14 years old, my mother pulled me out of high school to move me in with her and her boyfriend. She told the board of education that she was homeschooling me, which was not happening. I never stepped foot in high school after my freshman year. When my dad purposely overdosed and committed suicide when I was 17, the principal of my old school reached out to me and offered to help me gain a diploma and graduate on time with my class by completing small packets of work for each subject and him offering one completion grade, which would be the bare minimum to pass me. Now I realize this saved me.

Fast forward years later, I had escaped my family’s cycle of poverty and put myself through beauty school. I am blessed to say that I have traveled the world opening salons as far as Alva, Scotland. However, when I became pregnant, I found myself back in Kentucky working as a cosmetologist and getting the best medical care I could. When COVID-19 hit, I thought my life was over. Turns out, things were just beginning. My salon had closed due to the pandemic, and it left me at home with a premature sick child and no sight of a future or income to support us. When I decided to return to school in January 2022, I was terrified. Afraid of being a nontraditional student, afraid that I was not good enough because I was running on a 9th grade education, and I was afraid of failing. During my first interview with a community college advisor, I was asked a goal for the semester to which I replied, “I just want to finish one class and prove to myself I can do it.” Those words replay in my head now.

I had not decided on a major and I was so burdened by financial struggles that I was doing just what I could and hoping GOD would lead me the rest of the way. I found holes in the welfare system in Kentucky as I tried to navigate getting a job to work through college, but I couldn’t find one that offered me more than the assistance that the state was giving me at that time: food stamps, gas checks, and medical insurance. Throughout my journey at Community College, I met other mothers like me who struggled to find the confidence and resources to help them attend school and better their lives for themselves and for the future of their children. In this midst of learning and living this struggle of mine and other women throughout Kentucky, I have found my passion.

I chose social work so I could be the person that I needed as a child, the support I needed as an adult, and the guidance that so many women like me, need in the process of returning to school. COVID changed the lives of a lot of Kentuckians and financially, the struggle is harder than ever to maintain stability while building a better future. I want to help change that. I hope to use my degree to pursue a macro-level position within the social work field within the Commonwealth to fight for the rights of so many Kentuckians who are often being overlooked. Statistics of women, particularly single women raising children, and attending school are slowly declining, though it is proved daily that college educations lead to better-paying jobs. More than ever, programs are needed to help nontraditional students receive affordable childcare, work that doesn’t hold them back from their priorities with school, and financial assistance that HELPS them to make it while they are pursuing a degree. My dedication to helping these women, my experience with the struggles and my hope to change the system, along with the way its viewed by others, is what I pray makes my voice stand apart from others and helps Kentucky legislation to hear about the barriers that are holding too many citizens back from succeeding.

Now, I believe I am a voice, I am an advocate, and I am the change in the world that we all so desperately look for.

When I met Keith Wynn from the University of Kentucky at a campus transfer fair, I shared my story, my plan, and my passion with him. I did not know then about the online social work program. Keith explained offers and shared with me stories of Lauren Kirk and the social work team and how their kindness, dedication to students and the profession, and drive have helped them to push students to be their best and make the most of the program. I was sold. I never could have dreamed that this same little girl who had aluminum foil over where windows should be in her single-wide trailer, this same little girl who fell through the cracks of the system, could attend a school as prestigious as the University of Kentucky.

After earning a full tuition scholarship through Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society at my community college, my dream of being a Wildcat has come true.

By now, you’re probably wondering where you come into my story. Let me tell you. My experience at the University of Kentucky has changed my life, my views, and my ideas for the future. I now dream of ways I can work in higher education and work with women more personally to help single parents who share my struggle. My son, now four, is special needs, which made my college experience much more challenging. As an online student, there were many times that I’ve felt crunched for time or overwhelmed. The University of Kentucky has truly been my safe place. My professors, my advisor, my recruiter and admissions counselor, my first-generation club, and my classmates have been the backbone I needed to not give up. With their endless support, I have completed 61 credit hours in 14 months with a 4.0. For that, I thank you.

As embarrassing as it is to admit, I have no family. It’s just me and my son and I am working diligently to build a safer future for us. My Wildcat family IS my family. You have built a university and program which has offered me kindness, support, stability, friendship and most of all, LOVE. AS LEADERS, you have created a team that not only teaches and guides college students, but they love college students and genuinely want them to succeed. Last night, I walked across the stage with my son and was supported by my friends that I have made along the way within my program. Women I have only shared a virtual relationship with, showed up from all over the country to watch me walk the stage and support me and my child bettering our future. They are my family and THAT is what makes the University of Kentucky home.

I know with online students, it must be complicated to build a bond with them without understanding and seeing them as much as you do your in- person students. I hope this story helps and I hope my undying gratitude leaks through my words. I begin my master’s program in August, and I pray with time, I am able to secure a job at my home, University of Kentucky. Thank you for everything you do, thank you for the team you’ve built and lastly, thank you for allowing me to bring my son along on my walk across the stage.

📷Highlights: College of Social Work Graduation May 2024

Lexington, Ky. – Excitement filled the air as the UK College of Social Work (CoSW) offered congratulations to another cohort of graduates. On Friday, May 3, CoSW hosted a Graduation Celebration at the Gatton Student Center, honoring the 642 individuals who constituted the Class of 2024.

The event included numerous CoSW faculty, staff, alumni, and, of course, the newly minted graduates along with their families. In addition to celebrating their academic accomplishments, the reception provided an opportunity for students to reflect on their growth over their academic careers as they prepare to embark on their next steps in their professional journeys.

The College of Social Work again congratulates the Class of 2024 as we look toward the promising futures these individuals bring to their community.

Photo credit Cassie Payne / UK College of Social Work

‘Behind the Blue’: UK grad finds passion for global social work through Explore First

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 3, 2024) — Cierra Couch, a representative of the University of Kentucky May Class of 2024, is a first-generation college student who came to UK in 2020 with a strong sense of determination, but without a clear roadmap.

As a Robinson Scholar from Hyden, Kentucky, Couch instantly found community through like-minded peers who were also from Eastern Kentucky. As time went on, she began to curate her college journey through resources like UK’s Stuckert Career Center, Student Support Services and her first-generation advisor. These services helped Couch first learn about the multitude of opportunities in the field of social work.

But it was later in her academic journey when Couch stepped into a UK student involvement fair, where, by chance, she learned about Alternative Spring Breaks (ASB), a program that connects UK students to service and learning opportunities across the U.S. and around the world. After becoming involved in ASB, Couch discovered a passion for social work and working with immigrant and refugee populations.

But perhaps Couch’s most transformative experience happened through Explore First —  an education abroad program designed and implemented intentionally to equip and empower first-generation students at UK, like Couch. She was part of the inaugural cohort of students to take part in this trailblazing program, which launched in the summer of 2023. Students traveled to London and Dublin for a three-week course, which emphasized career readiness within a global context. Couch says this experience helped her solidify her career goal to work in global social work.

On this episode of “Behind the Blue,” Couch reflects on her time at UK, her experience with the Explore First program and what’s next after she walks across the Commencement stage this Friday with her degree from the UK College of Social Work. 

“Behind the Blue” is available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and Spotify. Become a subscriber to receive new episodes of “Behind the Blue” each week. UK’s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists and writers will be featured, along with the most important news impacting the university.

For questions or comments about this or any other episode of “Behind the Blue,” email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of “Behind the Blue” can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.

To discover what’s wildly possible at the University of Kentucky, click here.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It’s all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.  

Dr. Shelby Clark pens op-ed to close out Child Abuse Prevention Month

Community Strategies to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect

Dr. Shelby Clark, PhD, LCSW

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that approximately one in seven children experience child abuse and neglect annually.1  Presently, state child welfare systems are charged with responding to reports of child abuse and neglect. However, these systems continue to fail to meet federal guidelines for supporting safety and well-being for children placed in foster care.2 Further, children and families engaged with child welfare systems are at risk of a host of poor outcomes. Notably, estimates suggest 15 percent of youth who age out of foster care will become homeless,3 less than four percent will earn a college degree,4 and only about half are employed by age 24.5 In short, our public institutions and community responses are failing children and families, especially those who experience abuse and neglect.

Indeed, many argue a complete overhaul and abolition of the child welfare system is needed.6 Given the advances and growth across industries such as healthcare and technology, the stagnation of public responses to child abuse and neglect are especially discouraging. As one recent research study suggested, “We can find ways to build self-driven cars, but foster care seems to remain the same.”7 Structural problems demand structural innovation. Therefore, we must collectively demand better and different institutional solutions to prevent, reduce, and respond to child abuse and neglect.

Simultaneously, we hold an individual and collective responsibility to prevent child abuse and neglect in the communities that we participate in. Coretta Scott King once taught, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”8For many people, the impact of loving, safe, and stable relationships are indelible. Parents who receive adequate support from their communities, extended family, and social networks are less likely to engage in abusive behaviors towards their children.9 Supportive relationships can provide parents with resources, guidance, and emotional assistance, reducing stress and increasing their capacity to cope with challenges.

Here are three suggested strategies that may prevent child abuse and neglect:

  1. Offer Emotional Support and Understanding to Friends and Family: Families in our communities may experience stress, isolation, or other challenges that increase the risk of child abuse and neglect. Simply being present, listening without judgment, and offering empathy can make a significant difference. Checking in regularly with friends, family members, or neighbors who may be struggling and offering a supportive ear or a helping hand when needed can help parents to know they are not alone and to whom they reach out to for help.
  2. Provide Practical Assistance to Families in Need: Know the services and resources available in your community. If someone you know is struggling with mental health or obtaining necessities like food, shelter, or healthcare, you can encourage them to seek assistance from formal supports and programs. Additionally, informal support networks through friends, family, or church communities can provide practical assistance to families by offering help with childcare, running errands, cooking meals, or providing transportation. Small acts of kindness can alleviate some of the pressures that families face and reduce the likelihood of abuse or neglect occurring due to overwhelming stress or lack of resources. By offering tangible support, we can contribute to creating a supportive community where families feel valued and strengthened.
  3. Promote Positive Parenting Practices: Encouraging parents to engage in positive interactions with their children, such as spending quality time together, communicating openly, and setting appropriate boundaries, can help strengthen parent-child relationships and reduce the risk of abuse or neglect. There are a variety of ways we can teach and learn about positive parenting such as from books, podcasts, expert social media accounts, or through formalized parenting support services and educational programs.

By taking these proactive steps, we can contribute to creating a culture of support and care within our communities, helping to prevent child abuse and neglect, and promoting the well-being of children and families. Every act of kindness and support counts and can make a meaningful difference in the lives of families facing challenges.

Dr. Shelby Clark, PhD, LCSW (she/her) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work. Her research examines trauma-informed care, workforce well-being, and service recipient outcomes in human service settings. You can read about her recent work in these two articles:

  1. “Shown love from the brokenness of a system”: Themes from a Poetic Inquiry Reimagining Child Welfare
  2. Examining the Relationships between Self-Care and Well-being Outcomes among Child Welfare Professionals

📷Highlights: College of Social Work goes out to the ball game

Lexington, Ky. – The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) continues to celebrate National Work Month, coming together with faculty, staff, and students at the UK baseball game on March 17.

The CoSW and Dr. Justin “Jay” Miller, Dean and Dorothy A. Miller Research Professor in Social Work Education of CoSW invited all faculty, staff, and alumni to College of Social Work Day at Kentucky Proud Park as the Wildcats run-ruled the Georgia Bulldogs, 12-2, in seven innings.

Miller also had the opportunity to throw out the first pitch prior to the game, throwing a strike to the Wildcat catcher. There was also a tailgate area for the College to come together with fellow CoSW members.

In honor of National Social Work Month, the CoSW also kicked off its campaign “Social Work is Everywhere,” aiming to elevate the visibility of social work, showcasing how social workers play a crucial role in creating support and change in society. 

The CoSW will continue to celebrate National Social Work during the month of March, hosting a multitude of events and highlighting the impactful role of social work across different areas of society. For more information, visit the CoSW National Social Work Month page.

Photo credit Cassie Payne / UK College of Social Work

More than 40% of Americans know someone who died from drug overdose, UK researcher finds

This article was originally published by Lindsey Piercy of UKNow.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 7, 2024) — As the number of overdose deaths continue to rise, the impact is far-reaching.

Did you know, more than 40% of Americans know someone who died from a drug overdose? Around a third say the death disrupted their lives and impacted their physical or mental health.

That’s according to a new RAND study, co-authored by Julie Cerel, Ph.D., professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky, and published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Researchers are calling the findings an “overlooked emergency” for those left behind to cope with the emotional aftermath.

“Each year, more than 112,000 Americans die by overdose, including more than 2,000 Kentuckians. Each of these deaths leaves behind families, friends and other people to grieve and make sense of the loss,” Cerel said.

“Funding has often focused heavily on stopping the opioid crisis. But there also needs to be help for those left behind, who might be at risk themselves.”

Study Details

Cerel worked with RAND researchers Alison Athey and Beau Kilmer to survey 2,072 adults who participated in the RAND American Life Panel.

RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis. More specifically, the RAND social and economic well-being division seeks to actively improve the health, social and economic welfare of populations and communities around the world.

Participants were asked whether they knew someone who died of a drug overdose and to characterize how the death affected their lives.

Results by the Numbers

The study found that 42.4% of respondents personally knew at least one person who died by an overdose — a finding that suggests around 125 million Americans have experienced such a loss, the researchers wrote.

Specifically, 19% of participants said they knew one person who died of an overdose, while 18.9% said they knew two to five people who died of an overdose and 4.5% said they knew six or more.

Overall, 13% of respondents said their lives were disrupted by an overdose loss, and more than 4% said the loss had a significant or devastating effect.

The study also found that women, married people, natives to the U.S. and urban residents were more likely to know a person who died of an overdose.

Additionally, people who lived in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont) and in the East South Central region (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee) were more likely to know someone who died of an overdose than people in other parts of the country.

“We know that Kentucky has a high rate of overdose deaths compared to other parts of the country,” Cerel said. “It’s imperative that we work to both decrease these deaths and help those left behind. And this work starts with understanding the widespread impact.”

Takeaway

While the overdose crisis has wide-ranging negative impacts on people who use drugs, their employers and public health systems, little research has explored the experiences of those left behind.

The findings emphasize the need for research into the prevalence and impact of overdose loss, particularly among groups and communities that experience disproportionate rates of loss.

As a suicidologist, Cerel also believes it’s important to consider a parallel line of research — noting the similarities between those left behind by suicide and those who knew someone who died of an overdose.

“Suicide and overdose deaths are similar in that there is a stigma, and people don’t always share their losses. Ultimately, this can complicate grief,” Cerel said. “It’s important for people who are substance bereaved or suicide bereaved to know they are not alone. It will also be important for future research to understand how our relationships with people who die by overdose or suicide can lead to increased risk.”

You can view the full study here.

– – – – –

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It’s all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.  

📷 Highlights: 2024 KASWE Conference at the University of Kentucky

On Friday, March 1st, the College of Social Work kicked off National Social Work month with the Kentucky Association of Social Work Educators Conference at the William T. Young Library on the University of Kentucky’s campus.

The Kentucky Association of Social Work Educators offers a fall and spring conference hosted by a member school. The spring conference provides a forum for social work students and educators to showcase their accomplishments.

The conference began with the Keynote Presentation from the Dean of the UK College of Social Work, Justin “Jay” Miller, Director of the Self-Care Lab at UK.

Wrapping up the conference was a panel discussion by Daniel Boamah (PhD, MA, LCSW – Western Kentucky University Department of Social Work, Assistant Professor, Bachelor of Social Work Program), Crystal Collins-Camargo (PhD, MSW – University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work and Family Science, Professor), Nicole Lavy-Joy (LCSW – Eastern Kentucky University Department of Social Work, Assistant Professor), Helen Mudd (PhD, MSSW, CSW – Campbellsville University Carver School of Social Work, Professor), Laneshia Conner (PhD, MSW, CSW – University of Kentucky College of Social Work, Assistant Professor), and moderated by Kalea Benner (PhD, MSW, LCSW – University of Kentucky College of Social Work, Associate Professor, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs).

Read the full story here.

Photo credit Cassie Payne / UK College of Social Work

Dean Miller

New UK Social Work program offers FREE tuition, stipends, job placement

This story was orginally published by UKNow.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 8, 2024) — Are you interested in a career focused on making a difference in the lives of Kentucky children and families?

If so, the College of Social Work (CoSW) at the University of Kentucky has partnered with higher education institutions across the Commonwealth to offer an innovative opportunity.

Child Welfare (CW) PREP is a cutting-edge career preparation program. In return for your commitment to child welfare work, the CoSW will supply everything you need to excel. Yes, that includes free tuition, a stipend and help securing a job after graduation.

Here are five things you need to know about CW PREP:

Need help covering tuition? We got you.

CW PREP covers in-state tuition for up to four semesters.

While you’re learning, we’re investing in you.

In addition to tuition support, CW PREP provides a generous $1,300 stipend (each semester) to help with the bills.

Worried about getting a job after graduation? We aren’t.

CW PREP graduates receive preferential status at the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services for employment options in all 120 Kentucky counties.

You’ll be prepared to make an impact — on day one.

CW PREP students learn the skills necessary and receive hands-on career training to excel in public child welfare work, from the very first day on the job.

When you’re in, you’re in.

CW PREP is focused on your future — all of it. Once you graduate, you continue to receive transition supports, next-level mentorship and preferred admission to tuition support programs for graduate school.

CW PREP is not a typical program. It is a supported pathway to a career of meaning and impact. For you and your community.

Jay Miller, dean of the CoSW, envisions the program as “more than just a step forward; it’s a leap towards empowering a new generation of professionals dedicated to the well-being of people in our community. The journey begins now, and the impact will be profound.”

Join the more than 1,100 CW PREP graduates who are making a difference in their communities.

Finding out if your eligible is simple. Applying for CW PREP is even easier. Learn more and apply here.

You can also discover more about the program by visiting childwelfareprep.com or by reaching out via email at info@childwelfareprep.com.

UK Cost of Attendance

UK Tuition and Fees

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It’s all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.