LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 8th,  2024) — The University of Kentucky’s United In True Equity Research Priority Area (UNITE RPA) proudly introduced this academic year’s cohort of 21 graduate students into the UNITE Predoctoral Research Enhancement Program across campus. This included standout scholar Rujeko Machinga-Asaolu from the College of Social Work (CoSW) who was re-selected as a fellow after being part of the inaugural cohort.   Under the leadership of Danelle Stevens-Watkins, Ph.D., and with support from key university offices, the program was established to foster equity and exp ..read more

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 he ..read more

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 384 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 e ..read more

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 07, 2024) — Dr. Antonio Garcia, the Buckhorn Professor of Social Work at the University of Kentucky, has been at the forefront of addressing childhood trauma through his research.   Garcia is a former Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF) fellow, and the Director of the Interdisciplinary Research Center on Families & Children. He collaborates extensively across multiple disciplines.   “My goal is to foster a holistic approach where educators are equipped to address the psychological impacts of trauma with the same confidence as they do academic cha ..read more

Lexington, Kentucky (May 6th, 2024) – In an educational endeavor that merges scholarly research with pragmatic crisis management, Drs. Natalie Pope and Diane Loeffler have harnessed recovery efforts in the aftermath of the 2022 Eastern Kentucky floods into a transformative learning experience at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW). Loeffler and Pope are currently working on the following study, “Exploring the Experiences of Providing Services to Communities Affected by Natural Disaster.” This qualitative project is focused on learning from leaders within the non-profit and ..read more

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 U ..read more

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 ..read more

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The College of Social Work (CoSW) at the University of Kentucky proudly celebrates the accomplishments of its graduating class of 2024 on Friday, May 3 at 6 p.m. Amidst a backdrop of joy and nostalgia, graduates, faculty, staff, families, and guests come together to commemorate this occasion as 384 graduates walk across the stage at Rupp Arena in Lexington.    The ceremony, a testament to perseverance, dedication, and scholarly pursuit, symbolizes the culmination of hard work and unwavering determination. It marks the transition of students into empowered individuals read ..read more

By Jeff Damron and Tamikia Dumas, Program Coordinators for the Foster Parent Mentor Program Each year in May, we take a few moments to honor those who have dedicated themselves to providing safety, permanency, and well-being for children and youth, who for a variety of reasons, have been placed into foster care. Join us in giving thanks to the many foster parents, child welfare professionals, policy makers, and community officials that shine the light of hope for children in the Commonwealth and around the world. Nationally, just over 390,000 children have been removed from their homes and pla ..read more

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, estim ..read more