Top state social work official to speak

Susan N. Dreyfus, administrator of the state Division of Health and Family Services, will speak Thursday, April 12, in honor of a $1.2 million dollar grant to the School of Social Work.

The grant begins a new collaboration between the university, state, and health and human services in Dane and Rock counties. Students receiving the awards now are able to complete a master’s degree in social work with a new specialization targeted to public child welfare.

Joan Robertson, director of the School of Social Work, says the funds support 20 students, paying for their in- or out-of-state tuition, books and supplies, travel expenses and providing a cash stipend. In turn, after they graduate, the students must work in a public welfare agency in Wisconsin for each year that they have received funding.

“There’s such a need for public child welfare leaders in Wisconsin,” Robertson says. “Many children and families have complex, inter-related problems related to poverty, mental health, victimization, racism, substance abuse and more. This new partnership offers an outstanding opportunity to train social workers to address the needs of Wisconsin children and families in creative and unique ways within the current economic and social environment. It also will allow us to experiment with new approaches to service delivery and enhance the Wisconsin workforce.”

The reception will begin at 3 p.m. in 300 Social Work building, 1350 University Ave. For more information, contact Robertson, (608) 262-3561, jfrobert@facstaff.wisc.edu.