School-Based Social Work Education and Network Development (SSWEND)
Applications for the AY 24-25 generalist and advanced generalist cohorts of SSWEND
Scholars will open January 1st, 2024 and priority review will be given to those who apply by January 31st, 2024. Applications for post-MSW students are accepted year-round.
The School-Based Social Work Education and Network Development Program (Project SSWEND)
is an innovative partnership between the ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ and the Anchorage School District (ASD). Project SSWEND will increase the number of qualified
school-based mental health service providers from diverse backgrounds within the communities
served and allow the district to promote inclusive and empirically supported practices
within the district.
Project SSWEND will train 31 SSWEND fellows to provide a positive impact on inclusive practices and child outcomes in high-needs schools across Anchorage School
District. Additionally, Project SSWEND will meet locally identified needs for mental
health service professionals. Program activities include placing MSW students in practicums
in ASD high-need schools, advising fellows through the required coursework, enhancing
fellows’ networks and education through professional organizations, and assisting
SSWEND graduates in acquiring their Type C Certification and becoming employed as
a school-based mental health service provider.
After serving a year as the President-elect of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Yvonne Chase is now the president. Dr. Chase shares some of her vibrant background in human services that led her to ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼.
Vanessa Hiratsuka from CHD and Britteny Howell from DPHS are the new Co-Directors for ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼’s National Resource Center on Alaska Native Elders. Vanessa Hiratsuka shares her hopes for the center’s future.
Vanessa Hiratsuka from CHD and Britteny Howell from DPHS are the new Co-Directors for ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼’s National Resource Center on Alaska Native Elders. Britteny Howell shares her journey into geriatrics.
Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) term assistant professor Megan Bennett discusses her excitement about teaching courses for the AAS in Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, a new degree option within the SLP program, and being a new faculty member at ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼.
Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation assistant professor, Eric Oba, has no "prob-llama" sharing his passion for teaching therapeutic recreation courses and how he earned the title of Mr. June in the 2023 Mountain Men of Alaska calendar.