Reasons to Give - For Potential Programs
When Missouri's leaders need solutions for the urgent issues facing our population - unemployment, health care, mental health services, education and victim assistance, for example - the School of Social Work is a valuable resource.
Faculty members serve on national, state and local boards and committees, providing expertise and knowledge. Research projects provide assistance to policy-makers and administrators.
The school also has been working with state officials to develop and implement leadership training for first-level, state-funded supervisors to assist with public work force development. Ideally, this initiative will serve as the foundation for similar programs to be administered through the school's proposed Leadership Center.
Potential Programs
The school is exploring two exciting collaborative projects on campus. One project is with Veterinary Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health. The other project is in conjunction with Personal Financial Planning located in Human Environmental Services. Both projects provide the potential opportunity for state of the art interdisciplinary research and the development of continuing education programs for current students, alums and friends of the university.
Veterinary social work (VSW) is an exciting opportunity for participants to learn how to deliver clinical consultation, support , education and referral services to students, faculty, staff and clients of the veterinary teaching hospital. Veterinary social workers would learn to provide short-term counseling and support in the areas of compassion fatigue for veterinary students, stress management skills, euthanasia decision making, grief counseling and Pet Loss Support Groups for clients.
Financial Literacy for the helping professions is a new concept anchored in social work knowledge of human behavior, communication skills and the values and ethics of a profession that treats clients with integrity and respect. Many people struggle with financial issues. Basic money management is often missing in addition to learned behaviors and attitudes that result in poor financial decision making. Training would provide participants with the tools and knowledge to help clients and employees gain control of their money and learn techniques that will help them achieve and maintain financial responsibility.
