LEXINGTON, Ky. — In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) students were invited to participate in a self-care activity, creating a comforting and welcoming space for families visiting the supervised visitation room at the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) office.
Students were asked to prime and paint the visitation room, alongside UK Fine Arts student Beaux Hardin, who led a guided art session.
This project holds extra significance to the CoSW community as DCBS plans to name this room “Rachel’s Room” after a former University of Kentucky College of Social Work and PCWCP (Public Child Welfare Certification Program, now called CW Prep) student who dedicated nearly 20 years of service to the community. Rachel Hodnett was deeply passionate about supporting families, and this mural project is a fitting tribute to her legacy.
“Just thinking about Rachel and her passion for the families that we worked with, it was important to her that we provided good quality service. She wanted to provide that support to families in the community while they were going through some of the toughest parts of their lives,” Erin Mayhorn, Child Welfare Workforce Development Manager and former colleague and friend of Hodnett, said. “Being able to put the room together to provide a more comfortable space for families to visit when they are temporarily apart, means a lot to be able carry that out in her memory.”
This project aimed to provide a therapeutic outlet for stress relief, relaxation, and creative expression for students. By engaging in this self-care activity, students and DCBS staff improved their mental and emotional well-being, ultimately fostering a more productive and supportive academic and work environment.
The supervised visitation room at DCBS will now be one of comfort for families and staff in honor of Rachel, who made a lasting impact on the lives of families and children in the Commonwealth.
