Lexington, KY (April 24, 2024) – As Kotomi Yokokura prepares to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Social Work at the University of Kentucky, she leaves behind a remarkable legacy of service and advocacy.   Yokokura’s journey of impact began early in her college career when she founded the “Take a Tampon” initiative. This drive aimed to alleviate period poverty on campus and beyond, reflecting her dedication to addressing often-overlooked needs that affect mental, physical, and academic well-being.   “As a social work major, I’ve used negative community r ..read more

As National Foster Care Month approaches in May, the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW), alongside the Department of Community Based Services (DCBS), hosted a Statewide Foster and Adoptive Parent Appreciation event at the Newport Aquarium on Sunday, April 14. Below are the highlights of the day. Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by Tim Webb Photo by ..read more

NEWPORT, Ky. – As National Foster Care Month approaches in May, the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW), alongside the Department of Community Based Services (DCBS), hosted a Statewide Foster and Adoptive Parent Appreciation event at the Newport Aquarium on Sunday, April 14.  The 2023 Foster and Adoptive Families of the Year were invited to attend, as well as DCBS staff members and coordinators for Adoption Support for Kentucky and the Foster Parent Training program, housed at the CoSW. Lesa Dennis, DCBS Commissioner, gave opening remarks, thanking the families for their ..read more

By: Tara Pulaski LEXINGTON, Ky. — On Friday, April 12, the Southern Bluegrass Citizen Review Panel hosted a conference called A Conversation on Collaboration for regional foster parents and frontline child welfare workers during National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are regional volunteer groups that aim to improve the safety and well-being of children and families in the Commonwealth.   Kentucky’s nine CRPs are facilitated by the University of Kentucky’s College of Social Work (CoSW), in collaboration with Kentucky’s Department for Community Based ..read more

LEXINGTON, KY (April 18, 2024) – At the University of Kentucky, Tracy Garret’s return to college is a narrative of transformation. At 54, Garret is not the traditional student one might expect to see in a Bachelor of Social Work program. Her journey is unique, her resolve unshakable, and her story interlaced with moments of deep personal change. “I’ve bled blue since I knew what that meant,” Garret said with a sense of nostalgia and determination. “It’s always been my dream to have a degree from UK. At one time, I thought that was completely out of reach for me, but now I see the light at the ..read more

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 18, 2024) — Two University of Kentucky students and one local citizen have received UK’s highest honor for humanitarian efforts — the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. Established by the New York Southern Society in 1925 and named for its first president, Algernon Sydney Sullivan, the award recognizes those “who exhibit Sullivan’s ideals of heart, mind and conduct as evince a spirit of love for and helpfulness to other men and women.” After the society closed, the award has lived on through the Sullivan Foundation and is given at several universities in the South. At UK, th ..read more

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 17, 2024) — On Thursday, April 18, the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) will hold the 22nd Annual Irma Sarett Rosenstein Lecture. This year’s event, featuring journalist and columnist Juan Williams, will take place at 8 a.m. in the Gatton Student Center (Grand Ballroom AB). The lecture is named for Lexington social worker Irma Sarett Rosenstein. Until her passing in 2015, she led the fight against social injustice in Central Kentucky. The lecture, intended to celebrate Rosenstein’s remarkable legacy, will feature a na ..read more

Lexington, KY (April 17, 2024) – The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is excited to announce the 3rd Annual Showcase of DSW (Doctorate of Social Work) Scholars. This prestigious event, set to take place virtually from April 22-24, 2024, will gather leading DSW scholars to present on a range of contemporary social work practice issues. This year’s showcase will feature insightful presentations on the latest theories, interventions, and approaches designed to tackle current challenges within the field. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to earn up to 15 continuing edu ..read more

Lexington, Ky. — The University of Kentucky (UK) marked the 30th Sarah Bennett Holmes Award Luncheon at the UK Gatton Student Center Ballrooms on March 27, honoring women’s contributions across the university in academia and beyond.  The theme for this year’s event was “New Era of You”. Keynote speaker Dr. Trisha Clements-Montgomery, dean of students at UK, explored the significance of entering a new era, referencing pivotal times including the Victorian Era, Elizabethan Era, the “Queen B Era,” and Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour”. She reflected on the cultural impact of these eras, noting the ..read more

During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Tara Pulaski, program coordinator for the Citizen Review Panels (CRP) and Children’s Justice Act Task Force (CJA) took the time to answer a Q&A about how these programs support children and families in the Commonwealth. CoSW: As the Program Coordinator for the Citizen Review Panels and Children’s Justice Act Task Force, share an overview of each program:  Pulaski: Kentucky has nine regionally based Citizen Review Panels (CRPs), providing coverage to the entire state. CRPs are grassroots volunteer groups that work to improve our communities ..read more