School of Social Work

We invite you to explore the remarkable achievements and milestones reached this past year at the University of Illinois School of Social Work. These stories highlight the unwavering dedication of our faculty, staff, and students in advancing our mission of promoting social, racial, and economic justice. Through innovative academic programs, groundbreaking research, and community-driven initiatives, we are proud to share how the School continues to lead and shape the future of the social work profession. Join us in celebrating the impactful work and transformative change fostered by the University of Illinois School of Social Work.

This has been a dynamic year marked by new areas of growth and collaborations.

The stories featured in this report reflect

our achievements and demonstrate how

our community continues to lead the way

in promoting social, racial, and economic justice.

This research effort at Illinois is part of a multi-university program called Pathways to Perinatal Mental Health Equity. The program’s focus is developing better practices for supporting perinatal mental health needs, and training researchers and medical professionals on those practices.

Aligned with the University of Illinois’ commitment to global innovation and international scholarship, three School of Social Work members—Benjamin Lough, Moses Okumu, and Tara Powell—partnered with USAID’s Research Technical Assistance Center (RTAC) to tackle global mental health issues.

Alumna Raiza Kolia, along with her husband Ernst Mücke, founded Reaching Across Borders to empower women and girls in refugee communities by providing mental health tools and resources. Their NGO, focused on mental health, human rights, and empowerment, has made significant impacts in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley.

The University of Illinois School of Social Work is actively engaged in efforts to enhance financial resilience as a means to reduce vulnerability to labor trafficking.

Will Schneider's research aims to explore how housing and income support policies can mitigate or prevent child neglect among economically disadvantaged families.

Taryn Roe, the first BSW student to intern internationally, worked at a domestic violence shelter, offering crucial support and resources to survivors. This transformative experience not only tested her professionally but also strengthened her commitment to international social work, profoundly influencing her approach to the field.

D.J. Taylor, driven by his own experiences as a student-athlete, share his experience as the first Social Work intern at the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. His role helped to support student-athletes with education-impacting disabilities and promoted mental health awareness within the athletic community.

Brandon Seidensticker’s transition from a Marine to an Air National Guard member and then to the iBSW program highlights his commitment to both service and social work. His unique background enhances his approach to social work, aiming to address military mental health stigma and support service members’ transitions to civilian life.

Jonathan Brown’s diverse career in social work has spanned roles from juvenile probation to program management and private practice, culminating in his new position at PATH. His extensive experience and passion for data-driven social work practice are shaping his approach as he seeks to enhance the effectiveness and impact of PATH’s initiatives.

Hellen McDonald, Associate Director of International Programs, highlights the program’s alignment with the university's Global Strategy Plan and its commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and global social justice through various initiatives and partnerships.

Since 2021, the Children and Family Research Center has studied guardianship as an alternative to adoption for Illinois foster youth. This research also addresses racial disparities in permanency planning, especially for Black children.

Explore the newly launched Early Childhood Data Hub by IECAM, an innovative tool that revolutionizes access to comprehensive early childhood data. Discover how the Center for Prevention Research and Development’s contributions enhance this state-of-the-art platform for researchers, administrators, and advocates in early childhood education.

The Provider Assistance Training Hub (PATH) has increased coaching for Care Coordination and Support Organizations to improve family support and collaboration, introduced new courses for the revised IM+CANS tool, and is developing a training model for a new Medicaid Violence Prevention initiative launching in late 2024.

The Community Learning Lab (CLL), established under the leadership of former Dean Wynne Korr, is a dynamic initiative within the School of Social Work designed to enhance community engagement and provide practical learning experiences for students. Here’s a look at some of the recent highlights:

This pioneering center aims to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing on expertise from genomic biology, social work, neuroscience, and the broader social sciences. It is the first center of its kind in the US, marking a milestone for interdisciplinary research.

Announcing the new Ruppert & Gladys Downing Diversity Scholarship, dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusivity in social work by recruiting talented graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to our MSW program.

The Merlin Taber Fund honors Dr. Taber’s legacy by supporting interdisciplinary research in child welfare that drives real-world change. This fund encourages scholars to collaborate on innovative solutions, continuing his commitment to protecting children and fostering positive outcomes.

April Curtis, MSW ’21, was recognized with the Peggy A. Montes Unsung Heroines Award for her impactful work in juvenile justice and violence reduction at Youth Guidance. Her advocacy extends to promoting kinship care and addressing social disparities, as highlighted in her Crain’s Chicago Business opinion piece.

Hannah Jacobs, MSW ’17, has been honored as a 2024 NASW-Illinois Chapter Statewide Social Worker of the Year. This award seeks to honor the outstanding contributions of Illinois social workers and individuals dedicated to promoting social justice and social change with and on behalf of the people and clients they serve.