Community Matters 2021
Message from the Dean
For all its difficulties, 2020 made it possible for us to engage with our community
in new ways. From QuaranTalks with Teasley to discussing social work’s Grand Challenges, my colleagues and I have enjoyed connecting with you, from our homes to yours.
We look forward to continuing to engage with you in the future, both online and in-person.
But for now, we invite you to read a bit about ways our students have been working
with our different communities, near and far.
— Martell Teasley, PhD, MSW
Dean & Professor
In the Community
A Capitol Time
One student shares her experiences in Washington, D.C. as an intern for the Office of the Surgeon General.
Appreciating the Golden Years
“Social work is all about making a difference and feeling like you’re helping other people. And there’s not a population where you’re going to feel that more often than with older adults, because they tell you all the time.”
Empowering Students for Healthier Relationships
A doctoral student’s research is working to reshape the ways survivors think of their abusive relationships.
Shared Scholarship
The Grand Challenge to Eliminate Racism
Dean Martell Teasley, in @theU
How Design Limits the Homeless from Camping,
Sleeping in Public Spaces in Salt Lake City
Associate Professor Sarah Canham, in The Salt Lake Tribune
Working with Addiction & Pain
Associate Dean for Research & Director of C-MIIND Eric Garland, on Mind & Life Podcast
Social Work Health Futures Lab
Associate Professor Jaehee Yi, in @theU
Study Suggests Mindfulness Meditation Helps Cultivate
Self-Transcendence Through the Process of Decentering
Assistant Professor Adam Hanley, on PsyPost
Community Advisory Board Update
In April of 2020, as we were just learning to navigate our pandemic world, the Community
Advisory Board welcomed Janet Spafford Wilson, clinical director of 4 Healing Center.
She immediately joined fellow board members Tammer Attallah, Shawn McMillen, Clifton
Uckerman, and Rebecca Mabe in the planning and launching of a College-supported, three-part
webinar series called Talking Telehealth. The group, along with their co-workers and several community partners, invited
a dialogue around the tech/counseling issues so many were struggling with in early
pandemic days. We were grateful to our speakers, panelists, and the many guests who
attended.
If you have interest in serving on our CAB, please contact Lisa Himonas for information (Lisa.Himonas@socwk.utah.edu or 801-587-8387).
Join Us
In the state of Utah, there is an increasing rate of alcohol and drug use among adolescents and adults. Compounding this issue is a shortage of substance use disorder counselors throughout the state. In an effort to combat these two issues, in collaboration with community-based agencies providing substance use disorder services to clients, the Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Training Certificate (SUDTTC) Program at the University of Utah has spent more than 30 years preparing and training student-trainees for practice.
If your agency is interested in becoming a registered apprenticeship site and/or would like to have a SUDC/ASUDC apprentice at your agency, please feel free to contact us to further discuss this opportunity.