Spring, 2015 Newsletter
Welcome

is at the forefront of social work research, teaching and program evaluation. The center focuses on understanding and improving the health and mental health of underserved populations and aligns itself with the belief that "The true measure of a society's worth is how it treats its most vulnerable individuals." 

Staff and faculty are enjoying the newly renovated, beautiful and functional space that supports our research and evaluation efforts. I invite you to browse this issue to learn more about what's new in our center.

Joseph Himle, Ph.D.
Director, The Vivian A. and James L. Curtis School of Social Work Research and Training Center, Professor and Associate Dean, Social Work, School of Social Work and Professor of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Michigan 

Curtis Center Postdoctoral Fellows Join University of Michigan and Columbia University Social Work Faculty

Postdoctoral training and development has become an increasingly essential ingredient in the doctoral graduate's pursuit of career leadership roles in research, evaluation, teaching, and service. The postdoctoral placement affords the graduate a carefully protected window of time for engaging in advanced learning and development under the guidance of experienced mentors without the pressures of regular professorial life. 

Three recent Curtis Center postdoctoral fellows have accepted faculty positions at top five social work schools for the Fall 2015 (see below).  Cristina Bares previously Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University will join the U-M School of Social Work as an Assistant Professor. Current U-M SSW Research Investigator and LEO Adjunct Lecturer Addie Weaver will become an Assistant Professor at U-M and current Curtis Center postdoctoral fellow Jinyu Liu will join the faculty at Columbia University School of Social Work as an Assistant Professor.

Working with a core group of SSW faculty mentors, Curtis Center fellows conduct independent research, work as part of integrated teams on faculty-led projects, acquire new professional skills, and gain critical publication and external funding experience. They exit prepared to enter a highly competitive research and tenure-track faculty job market.
ew
Assistant Professor of Social Work, University of Michigan - Fall 2015

"During my fellowship, I learned just how much research, writing, publishing and external funding are valued. Dr. Delva was very open and encouraging of me to craft my own direction and allowed me the time to focus on these critical aspects."


  Assistant Professor of Social Work, University of Michigan - Fall 2015

"Dr Himle was extremely generous with his time and consistently provided me with quality mentorship and support for my independent research. To have weekly interaction and collaboration with a leading expert in the field is an uncommon advantage. I could not have designed a better fit for my postdoctoral placement."

Read about Addie's story >>
ew
Assistant Professor of Social Work,
Columbia University - Fall 2015

"The flexibility of the program and the freedom to choose my mentor were the most important aspects for me when choosing the Curtis Center fellowship. I received thoughtful supervision and support from Drs. Li and Himle which showed me how to make a successful transition from graduate to faculty member."

Read about Jinyu's story >>

 



U-M SSW National Cancer Study Supports Patient Improvements with Social Work Protocols 

Associate Professor Brad Zebrack's study, "A Project to Assure Quality Cancer," has completed data collection from 61 cancer centers throughout the United States.  Zebrack is working in collaboration with Curtis Center Program 
Evaluation Director and Clinical Assistant Professor Sue Ann Savas and Curtis Center Research Associate Laura Sundstrom to evaluate the implementation of distress-screening protocols for cancer patients and the extent to which cancer programs achieve better patient outcomes when a psychosocial distress screening protocol is in place and followed.  Data was recently presented during the 31st annual meeting of the Association of Oncology Social Work in Seattle, May 20 - 22.

"We know that there are shortcomings and inequities in the supportive care that cancer patients and their families receive," Zebrack said. Distress screening can be a useful mechanism for identifying patients and families with the greatest needs and responding to them in a timely manner.

The collected data will be shared this summer with the participating cancer centers to show the comparison of protocol outcomes related to the psychosocial care of cancer patients.

"It's exciting to hear social workers tell us that the distress screening protocol has involved them in cancer research, elevated their visibility and reputation among their colleagues, and improved overall health care while satisfying requirements for quality improvements," Zebrack said. "Social workers are critical for identifying and responding to cancer patients who are struggling with the multiple and varied effects of cancer in their lives." Professor Zebrack was awarded a Curtis Center pilot grant  for his work on "Quality of Life Assessment in Young Adult Cancer Survivors".

Preparing MSW students for the Professional Field 
 - Making the Connection -

The Curtis Center Program Evaluation Group supports MSW students and recent graduates in their job searches by training them in necessary skills, providing job coaching sessions, and, now, directly linking them with evaluation firms. MSW students and recent graduates are coached throughout the job search process by the Director of the Program Evaluation Group, Sue Ann Savas, SSW Clinical Assistant Professor and Evaluation Associates. Job coaching and professional development opportunities include:

-  Job search support

-  Resume development

-  Interview preparation and mock interviews

-  Tips for salary negotiation

-  Networking opportunities, including financial support to attend conferences and trainings


The Program Evaluation Group has recently begun forming relationships with community-based evaluation firms in need of qualified evaluators.  The Curtis Center's Sue Ann Savas, Director of the Program Evaluation Group, has been conducting outreach with several evaluation firms locally and nationally to develop opportunities for our students and recent graduates.

In March 2015, four MSW students met with leadership at Innovation Network in Washington D.C. to discuss developments in the evaluation field, cutting edge techniques, and what skills and experiences they will need to be successful in the field.

Liz Wroughton, MSW candidate, is one of the students who attended this meeting. She stated, "talking with these experts was a valuable experience because it provided us with specific recommendations for sculpting our resumes and developing technical skills that are widely sought after in professional candidates."

The Program Evaluation Group has also been communicating with two evaluation firms in California to develop a job "pipeline." Allison Sponseller,an alumnus from the Program Evaluation Group, recently secured a position at Learning for Action in San Francisco, CA. The Program Evaluation Group plans to continue to develop and grow these "pipelines" in order to support MSW students and recent graduates in their transition to the marketplace, as well as to make a contribution to the field of evaluation.


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Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106

 

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