Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative Families & Children working group held its third annual event in recognition of the Month of Military Child. Held at the Los Angeles Public Library, children from military-connected families participated in art activities, drum circles and literacy games. They also received recognition from multiple legislative leaders. Read more

A network of university professors and K-12 teachers met at the White House earlier this month to discuss how best to serve military-connected students. USC's leadership role in this field took center stage. An eight-year research project overseen at USC by Professor Ron Avi Astor was among the first to identify this once-invisible population in public schools whose parents served their country in Iraq or Afghanistan. Read more

As part of a USC School of Social Work project funded by the Department of Defense Education Activity, parents in five San Diego-area school districts can now download a mobile app that will help them find the programs and services their children need. WelConnect is also designed to link educators and school leaders to community and military organizations offering programs for students and families. Read more

Earlier this year, Carla Thornton MSW '12 was appointed to the California Veterans Board by Gov. Jerry Brown. The U.S. Air Force Reservist joins fellow USC School of Social Work alumna Gena Truitt MSW '12 to advocate on behalf of veterans statewide. "The USC MSW provided me with the foundation and the tools to envision myself as a change agent and an advocate," Thornton said. Read more