Department of Social Work Education

Join the Social Work Student Association at Fresno State this Sunday, April 18 for a community gardening event. They will help plant summer vegetables at the Community Life Garden (1145 W. Hedges, Fresno 93728) from 9 - 11 a.m. Refreshments will be provided! For questions, contact [email protected].

Happening this Friday, April 9! The African American Student Social Work Association is partnering with NASW-CA to organize activities and events lifting Black individuals and communities, as well as promoting anti-racism within social work. This next event will feature two Fresno State CHHS faculty, Dr. Brandon Taylor (assistant professor, Recreation Administration) and Dr. Serena Johnson (assistant professor, interpreting). Join the Zoom session at bit.ly/3iSEScd.

March is National Social Work Month and to commemorate it, we asked a few social work students why they choose to major in this field. Master of Social Work student, Gabriela Lamendi-Chevez shares her thoughts.

To honor #NationalSocialWorkMonth (held annually in March), we asked a few social work students why they choose to major in this field. Up first is MSW student, Melissa Vidal, who is currently in her first year of the graduate program, with an emphasis in the Title IV-E Child Welfare Program.

Happening tomorrow, March 23! Hear from CHHS Top Dog Alumni recipient, Lisa Casarez, CEO and founder of Angels of Grace Foster Family Agency. Hear her inspiring story of hope, resilience and determination. This event is free and open to the public. March 23, 2021 6 - 7 p.m. RSVP at bit.ly/chhs-topdog-21

Nearly 100 Fresno State Social Work students are on a mission to make sure Central Valley residents voice their right to vote. On Oct. 17, the students will spearhead Bulldogs Vote 2020 - a drive-through voter registration event for first-time voters of all political backgrounds. Learn more about what the social work students are doing and how you can get involved at bit.ly/3jRIBY2. Also make sure to follow the Social Work Student Association (Swsa Club ) for more updated info!

All social work students are invited to the first CHHS Student Open Forum of the semester, hosted by Dean Denise Seabert and your Fresno State ASI Senator (and fellow social work major), Alison Garibay. This is an opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, voice concerns & more. Check your campus email for Zoom info. Remember, your voice matters!

The Central California Social Welfare, Research, Evaluation and Training Center at Fresno State is the recipient of a $4.3 million grant to further develop its Central California Adult Protective Service Training Academy. The three-year grant, from the California State Department of Social Services, will be used to better prepare and train staff who work within adult protective services in the San Joaquin Valley and Bay Area regions. A series of in-person and online training... programs aimed at these areas will be developed, including the implementation of a more high-tech approach using virtual reality a first for the region. In addition to the experiential simulation provided for social workers, the virtual-based model can be utilized by Fresno State students studying social work and gerontology and has the potential to become a part of their learning experience and internships. See more

Happening online this Wednesday, June 24! Hear from alumni currently working in the health and human services field; and gain best practices and tips to get ahead.

"All of our students, regardless of citizen status, deserve to receive high-quality education that benefits them, their families and the Central Valley. Fresno State is proud to continue providing services and support to our undocumented students." Please read more from President Castro, regarding the Supreme Court Ruling on DACA, at the link below.

Please read this message from our chair, Dr. Martha Vungkhanching. To our Black students, colleagues, alumni and friends - we stand with you in solidarity. If you are interested in attending the Zoom session, check out this link: https://www.naswca.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1386693

Check out this great feature story on two-time Social Work alumnus, James Borunda, who earned his Master of Social Work degree earlier this month. Since arriving at Fresno State, he's made a bold impact, coordinating events like Bring Your Own Ballot and the Social Justice Symposium. He has also represented the University as the Region D Assistant Director of the National Association of Social Workers, helping to lead policy change and voter advocacy among students here at Fresno State. Read more of his inspiring work at the link!

Dr. Helen Miltiades, coordinator of the Gerontology Program, was recently featured in the Washington Post and Valley Public Radio regarding older adults in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic and nursing home residents, respectively. Listen and read more about each story: Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com//3e584a30-96bc-11ea-87a3-22 Valley Public Radio: https://www.kvpr.org//how-do-you-stay-connected-nursing-ho... Great work, Dr. Miltiades!

We want to congratulate and recognize our entire graduating class of 2020. Whether you earned your bachelor's or master's degrees, please be proud of your accomplishments and all that you achieved in the face of adversity! In case you missed it, here is a special message from President Joseph I. Castro.

As you prepare for final exams and projects this week, we invite you to read these inspiring words by first-year MSW student, Julie Wright. The poem was written as a journal assignment for Dr. Nancy Delich's MSW1 course. Thanks for sharing your heartfelt words, Julie!

Romylyn Teale will be earning her Master of Social Work degree this week - and she was featured in this Fresno State article, for her dedication to the DISCOVERe program. Great work, Romylyn! Read more:http://www.fresnostatenews.com//a-graduation-season-like-/

Hear some words of encouragement from our chair, Dr. Martha Vungkhanching and other faculty, as we head into finals week. Good luck, bulldogs! We believe in you.

Although commencement activities will not be taking place this month, we still want to honor our bold and amazing class of 2020! Please share your photos with us in the comments OR on social media using #FresnoStateGrad and tag the college at @FresnoStateCHHS. We want to celebrate YOU - and we can't wait to have in-person festivities when it is safe to do so. We are so proud of you, grads!

A couple of weeks ago President Joseph Castro and Provost Saul Jimenez-Sandoval spent some time chatting with social work students and faculty about ways the social work department can continue serving as leaders on campus and continue advocacy outside of campus. Thank you to everyone who joined in! Photo Credit: Ewan Duarte