College of Social Work and UK Police Department Collaborate for National Criminal Justice Month Emergency Preparedness Event

As part of National Criminal Justice Month, the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) partnered with the UK Police Department’s Emergency Management team to equip students with essential emergency preparedness skills.

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – March is National Criminal Justice Month (NCJM) and the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is celebrating and honoring the transformative work of the criminal justice profession.

As part of NCJM, the CoSW partnered with the UK Police Department’s (UKPD) Emergency Management team to host an event for students on incident response and personal preparedness.

Led by Sarah Fink, UKPD’s director of emergency management, and Captain Cory Peralski, the presentation highlighted the impacts of natural, technological, and human-caused emergencies, with additional recommendations for creating a plan to prepare for an emergency and some items to consider in a home emergency kit.

“Events like this are crucial in equipping our students with the knowledge and skills to navigate emergencies, both as future professionals and as individuals,” said Kayla Powell, CoSW Director of Student Experience and Engagement. “By partnering with experts in emergency management, we’re not only reinforcing the importance of preparedness but also highlighting the intersection between social work, criminal justice, and public safety.”

The presentation also covered how to identify hazards in your area, how to make an emergency plan and other opportunities to get involved and learn more about emergency preparedness.

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The College of Social Work is offering a full slate of events this March to celebrate National Criminal Justice Month and National Social Work Month. To learn more and get involved, please visit our website.

For over 85 years, the College of Social Work (CoSW) at the University of Kentucky has been a leader in education. Our mission is clear: Through rigorous research, excellence in instruction, and steadfast service, the CoSW works to improve the human condition. Always, in all ways.

As the state’s flagship university, our mission is actualized through our deeds. Our faculty are renowned academicians dedicated to fostering the development of high-quality practitioners and researchers. As a college, we promote community and individual well-being through translational research and scholarship, exemplary teaching, and vital community engagement. We are committed to the people and social institutions throughout Kentucky, the nation, and the world.