For me, deciding whether or not to learn about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome was not an option, it was a necessity. My daughter Jenelle died during a nap of SIDS on March 1, 1993 while in daycare. I had heard about SIDS but had no idea how a baby as healthy as mine could die […]
Learning about SIDS by Jeri Wilson, MSW
Posted on May 9, 2017 ·
Filed Under: Adolescents/Children, Personal Stories, Social Work Practice
A Collaborative Approach to Serving Community College Students with Food and Housing Insecurity
Posted on September 1, 2016 ·
Most agree that education, besides building a viable workforce, adds immeasurably to the fabric of society. Students in higher education however are sometimes forced to choose between focusing on their education or dealing with issues related to food and housing insecurity. The California State University (CSU) system, one of the largest systems in the nation, […]
Filed Under: Case Management, Field Practice, Food Insecurity, Social Work Practice
Finding the Joy in Self-Care by Nina Tomkiewicz
Posted on July 14, 2016 ·
This summer I have been reflecting on the concept of “self-care,” mostly asking myself, “What is self-care, anyway?” It’s a buzzword in the world of social work, and probably any other helping profession with risk of ‘burnout’ and the more recently coined term ‘compassion fatigue.’ We must engage in self-care to prevent the loss of […]
Filed Under: Personal Stories, Social Work Practice
SOCIAL WORKERS ENHANCING HEALTHY AGING by Dr. Joaquin Anguera
Posted on April 26, 2016 ·
I was told to give an inspirational talk about aging and at the same time bring in some of my personal experience. Well, let me start right away with some personal experience: The first day of my Gerontology class I tell students that a ship of Martians has landed on campus and that one of […]
Filed Under: Older Adults/Gerontology, Social Work Practice
Finding Purpose While at a Loss by Ashley Halverson, MSW student
Posted on March 15, 2016 ·
We don’t know each other. Maybe we share histories, likes or dislikes, but because we don’t share language or culture, I cannot ask. You are a mother of two and come from a village in northern Thailand. Far from here. I am a student from the United States, hoping to learn about international social work […]
Filed Under: Field Practice, International Social Work, Social Work Practice
Racial Justice: Moving From Macro to Micro and Back Again by Melinda Hohman, Ph.D.
Posted on November 23, 2015 ·
I always find myself amused when writing or talking about macro social work, as I am definitely more of a micro kind of person, having studied, taught, and researched Motivational Interviewing (MI) (an interpersonal communication method) for the past 15 or so years. Becoming the Director of the School of Social Work has certainly moved […]
Filed Under: Diversity, Macro Practice, Social Work Ethics, Social Work Practice
Police, Minority Communities, and Trauma by David Eisenberg, LCSW, Ph.D.
Posted on March 16, 2015 ·
I didn’t plan this, but it ends up that my social work career has had an underlying focus on trauma. My first professional assignment involved studying the traumatic consequences for frail elders when moved involuntarily. Forty years later I am working with suicidal veterans. In between I’ve had a whole host of work experiences that […]
Filed Under: Criminal Justice, Social Work in San Diego, Social Work Practice
A Decentralized Service Delivery Model Benefits Clients and Providers at SURVIVORS By Carin Anderson, MSW Intern
Posted on February 9, 2015 ·
Social work, like other human service professions, requires the clinician to practice self-care to balance work with physical, emotional, and psychological well being. This is especially true when working with torture survivors. Even those such as immigration court clerks or interpreters need to be cognizant that the work they are doing can have an effect […]
Filed Under: Mental Health, Social Work in San Diego, Social Work Practice
Stepping on the Toes of Self-Determination By Melinda Hohman, Ph.D.
Posted on February 24, 2014 ·
Did you ever dance with someone who stepped on your toes? Ouch! What do you do when that happens? Some people back up, giving themselves some space from their partner. Others fumble a bit, losing their rhythm. Others might let out a loud yelp and get upset with their partner and maybe say something that […]
Filed Under: Social Work Practice
Making Skeletons Dance by Kurt Wellman
Posted on February 5, 2014 ·
We all have a “story“ or certain events and experiences that shape our future, define our present and help anchor us to the world in which we live. Our past is the foundation upon which we build our future and we cannot escape our past just as we cannot escape our shadow on a sunny […]
Filed Under: Personal Stories, Social Work Practice
