In a recent interview with Deloitte Health Forward, Dr. Tami Gouveia, CISWH director, emphasized the diverse roles of social workers in addressing health disparities and advocating for health equity. Social workers are not solely clinical providers, but also serve across diverse settings including schools, emergency departments and in law enforcement agencies. 

Contrary to the misconception that social workers only intervene in crisis situations, Dr. Gouveia explains the extent to which social workers provide services in government, military, religious and corporate environments. She advocates for social workers to be integrated at the policymaking tables, getting them into state legislatures as well as the halls of congress to make systems-level changes and changes in how services are financed. 

Excerpt from “Celebrating Social Work Month: Social workers can play a key role in making health more equitable” originally published in Deloitte Health Forward. 

“Social workers can play a role in building collective power and community power. I served in the Massachusetts legislature for four years and I continue to reach out to my former colleagues, particularly in the Black and Latino caucuses, to make sure that we support social work efforts that address health equity. When I ran for office, I didn’t think anyone would want to vote for a social worker. But I found that people got really excited when they found out I am a social worker. They believe social workers understand what a lot of people are going through and the challenges that people are facing.

Social workers tend to have their fingers on the pulse of the communities they serve. Integrating social work and social care into health care can be a pivotal step toward fostering health equity and improving accessibility.”

Read the full article here.

4/23: Agents of Change: Social Workers Leading the Fight Against Dark Money in Politics

A Virtual Event 
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
7:00 – 8:15 PM ET
Zoom

View the Recording

 

Join the Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health at BU School of Social Work (BUSSW) and BUSSW Votes for the second session in the From Ballots to Better Health virtual series, Agents of Change: Social Workers Leading the Fight Against Dark Money in Politics. Dr. Charles E. Lewis Jr., director of the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy (CRISP) and Dr. Jessia Hare, vice president of outreach at American Promise, will explain how dark money impacts U.S. elections and demonstrate ways social workers can combat dark money influence to build a stronger democracy. 

Program:

7:00 pm: Opening remarks and introduction by Tami Gouveia, director and Paul Farmer Professor or Practice, Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health, BU School of Social Work

7:05 pm: Dr. Charles Lewis, Jr. presents
7:25 pm: Introduction by Dr. Tami Gouveia, CISWH
7:30 pm: Dr. Jessica Hare presents
7:50 pm: Q&A with Dr. Lewis, Dr. Hare, Dr. Gouveia, and audience
8:10 pm: Closing remarks by Diane Crowley

Content Level: Intermediate 

Continuing Education Credit Info:
The target audience for this lecture and discussion is LICSW, LCSW, LSW, LSWA,  and other health care professionals. Agents of Change: Social Workers Leading the Fight Against Dark Money in Politics is approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program to be offered by the Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health as an individual course. Individual courses, not providers, are approved at the course level.  State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. ACE course approval period: 4/23/2024 – 4/23/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 1.25 continuing education credits. 

1.25 national continuing education credits are available to social workers licensed in the U.S. after the completion of a brief post-event quiz. The event will provide intermediate-level content and must be attended live in order to receive CE credits. If you would like to receive credits, please provide your license number during registration. The post-event quiz will be sent out at the end of the event. Applicants will need to earn a score of 70% or higher to receive the CE certificate, which will be sent via email. Questions? Contact [email protected]. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Participants will be able to identify three efforts social workers can get involved in to mitigate the current threats to democracy.
2. Participants will be able to describe what dark money is and how dark money in politics impacts our elections and policymaking processes.
3. Participants will be able to describe how the For Our Freedom Amendment protects America against foreign interference in our electoral process.
4. Participants will be able to describe three ways to take action For Our Freedom.

About Dr. Charles E. Lewis, Jr.
Dr. Charles Lewis (he/him) is the director and founder of the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy (CRISP). During his time in the U.S. capitol,  Dr. Lewis created the Congressional Social Work Caucus,a platform that gives social workers a greater voice in Congress. As the staff coordinator for the Social Work Caucus, Dr. Lewis organized briefings for the National Association of Social Work (NASW), the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR).

In 2012, he founded CRISP to complement the mission of the Social Work Caucus.  Under Dr. Lewis’s leadership, CRISP continues to support and encourage social workers to engage with their Congressional representatives.

Dr. Lewis was inducted as a fellow in the American Academy of Social Work and Welfare in recognition of his contribution to the emerging field of political social work. Since March of 2016, Dr. Lewis has coordinated a Social Work Day on the Hill where social workers from all walks of life gather to celebrate the many contributions social work has made to Congress and the federal government. Each year CRISP brings hundreds of social work students together for its Student Advocacy Day on the Hill where emerging social workers learn to engage with congressional staff and advocate for legislation relevant to social work and the populations they serve.

About Dr. Jessica Hare 
Dr. Jessica Hare (she/her) serves as the vice president of outreach at American Promise. Dr. Hare received her Doctor of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California. She is also an Alumna of the University of South Carolina where she received her Master of Social Work degree and Winthrop University where she received her Bachelor of Social Work degree.

Dr. Hare has over 15 years of professional social work experience that includes child welfare, military, medical, and school social work. She is an active member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and prides herself on upholding the organization’s mission and vision. She is committed to the empowerment of black women and girls and advocating on their behalf by promoting leadership development and gender equity in the areas of health, education, and economic empowerment. She also volunteers as a designated speaker for the Domestic Violence Speaker’s Bureau and has been chosen as the keynote speaker for many domestic violence events. Dr. Hare is also an active member of the National Association of Social Workers serving the Georgia Chapter and is a member of the Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) committee.

Accessibility Statement:
Boston University strives to be accessible, inclusive, and diverse in its facilities, programming, and academic offerings. Your experience in this event is important to us. If you have a disability (including but not limited to learning or attention, mental health, concussion, vision, mobility, hearing, physical, or other health-related issues), requiring communication access services for the deaf or hard of hearing, or believe that you require a reasonable accommodation for another reason, please contact the event organizer at [email protected] to discuss your needs.

Non-Partisanship Statement:
The From Ballots to Better Health virtual series is dedicated to fostering dialogue, sharing knowledge, and promoting civic engagement. We would like to remind all participants that this event is founded on principles of non-partisanship and inclusivity.

Our mission is to create a safe and respectful learning environment where individuals from various backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives can come together to discuss, learn, and engage without bias or political partisanship. We believe that by transcending political polarization, we can find common ground and advance our collective understanding and progress.

We kindly ask all speakers, participants, and affiliates to refrain from promoting, endorsing, or disparaging any political party, candidate, or partisan political agenda, and treat all participants with respect, regardless of differing opinions, and engage in constructive and courteous discourse.

By participating in this event, you agree to uphold these principles and contribute to an environment that encourages open, unbiased, and respectful exchange of ideas. 

Thank you for your commitment to maintaining the non-partisan spirit of From Ballots to Better Health. We look forward to a productive and enlightening conversation.

With the 2024 election year quickly approaching, Dr. Tami Gouveia, CISWH director, advocates for increased representation of social workers in elected office. With their ability to effectively collaborate with a diverse range of civic sectors, social workers are well-equipped to navigate the complex world of politics. 

Dr. Gouveia urges social workers to consider running for office or supporting their colleagues who do. The ability to empathize, navigate complex systems, and advocate for equitable policies that benefit all communities is a skill that should not go unnoticed.

Excerpt from “Why More Social Workers Should Run for Office” originally published on Social Work Today:

“Here’s why social workers make good legislators at all levels of government. We listen. We empathize with people’s lived experiences, their financial struggles, and the stress they’re facing. We understand how systems interact and affect people’s health and well-being. We’re pragmatic, and we care about our communities.

As social workers, we seldom end up in fields where we’re surrounded by other social workers. Whether it’s housing or job policy, we’re effective at partnering with other civic sectors because we have plenty of practice. We’re able to sit down with teachers, first responders, or faith leaders and bridge those gaps.”

Read the full article here.

Join BU School of Social Work and CISWH for the 2024 Hubie Jones Lecture in Urban Health featuring  Lee Pelton, PhD, president and CEO of the Boston Foundation.  Pelton will discuss why where we live has a larger impact on our health than genetics, and how historical racial discrimination and land agreements in the United States have led to the current health inequities we face.

Date & Location
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
5:00 – 6:30 PM ET
BU Kilachand Center, Rm. 101 – 610 Commonwealth Ave, Boston and Virtual (Zoom)

A reception with light refreshments will follow the lecture.

 

Details & Registration:

Learn More and Register Here

 

The Hubie Jones Lecture in Urban Health is an annual symposium hosted by Boston University School of Social Work. Established to honor the legacy of Dean Emeritus Hubie Jones, the series addresses the most pressing health issues of our time with lectures by national and international leaders working at the intersection of health and social justice.

Learn more about the Hubie Jones Lecture in Urban Health.

Photo courtesy of Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC-BY-SA

A recent UNICEF report sheds light on an unspoken reality—approximately 300 million young children worldwide regularly face violent discipline by their caregivers, a serious infringement of their human rights. CISWH faculty affiliates and Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) Profs. Margaret Lombe and Lenette Azzi-Lessing collaborated with Dr. Shanaaz Mathews and Lizette Berry of the Children’s Institute at the University of Cape Town to address this global health problem and identify new and promising violence prevention strategies. This effort stems from a one year University-Community Partnerships research grant from the Institute for Early Childhood Well-Being at Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education & Human Development.

In a new wide-ranging review, the team, which includes Linda Biersteker, a senior research associate at the Children’s Institute, and Leigh Morrison, director of True North, shares how they developed an innovative, evidence-based, and community-driven violence prevention project in South Africa to further inform the anti-violence efforts of policy makers, practitioners, and other researchers in low and middle income countries. The project included:

• An expert panel where practitioners and researchers from LMICs were able to share their perspectives.
• Three community gatherings in Vrygrond, South Africa to elicit residents’ perspectives on key risk  factors, existing resources, and approaches that hold promise for preventing violence against young children in their community.
• A concluding workshop to integrate learnings from the literature review and the expertise of researchers, practitioners, and community residents, as well as recommendations for next steps. 

The completion of the grant-funded project reveals the complex nature of addressing violence against children, rejecting the idea of “one size fits all” program models. Successful interventions include parent and caregiver support, gender transformative programs, and initiatives supporting preschool teachers. The project review underscores the need for longer, more intensive interventions, and the mainstreaming of programs through large scale government programs to reach vulnerable populations. 

Now that the project has been completed, the team has shifted their attention to sharing their findings globally. Additionally, Profs. Lombe and Azzi-Lessing are collaborating with the current leadership of the Children’s Institute to explore opportunities for developing an innovative, community-engaged demonstration project aimed toward violence prevention. 

Read the full report here. 

In October, Dr. Tami Gouveia, Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health (CISWH) director, in collaboration with Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) dean Barbara Jones, explored the pivotal role that CISWH and BUSSW play in elevating the influence of social workers in health and public health.

Following the event, CISWH reconnected with Dr. Gouveia to hear her responses to unanswered questions from the audience. 

 

What can we do to preserve what little we have, while also addressing the elimination of social programs? 

I often reflect on the significant impact of money in politics, a foundational issue that heavily influences the individuals elected into office. The transparency around PAC (Political Action Committee) donors is limited, and these committees often attempt to sway voters. While it may seem unconventional, understanding the role of money in politics is critical because those who are elected determine our investments. They decide whether we prioritize school lunches, affordable housing, and a reliable transportation system. Social workers play a critical role in electing legislators who will listen to the needs of our residents and who will prioritize our patients’ and clients’ health and well-being. Social workers are out there every day advocating for programs that support the well-being of our clients. We need legislative leaders who are partners with us and who are not beholden to special interests influenced by dark money donors. 

 

Can you speak to your experience as a social worker in the state government? How can fellow social workers navigate advocacy through the state legislature?

Social workers who run for elected office or who serve in appointed offices have a unique opportunity to leverage the skill set that we have. Our values and our code of ethics are so fundamental to health and well-being. When I was in elected office, I came across social workers who were advocating for all kinds of issues. I interacted with social workers who were fighting for reproductive justice and access to abortion as health care. That’s just one example of how social workers show up in pushing elected officials toward health equity. I’m always encouraging social workers to run for office. Social workers make the best policy makers because they understand the issues that people are dealing with, they have the research and clinical skills, and they have the ability to connect people to community-based care and resources.

 

How do we continue to invest in and develop the field of social work to ensure we have a voice in health and public health? 

Social workers are often the glue that’s holding a lot of teams, particularly clinical care teams, together. We’re also major advocates of public health. However, we often get overlooked. It’s on us to produce the research that demonstrates the value of social work leadership and social workers in health and public health. It’s also about making sure that we’re investing in ongoing education and workforce development so that social workers who might want to tap into a career in health care or public health have the skills and the background necessary to thrive in those fields. The reality is that every single person in our country will need a social worker at some point in their lives. It’s really important that we do the work to make sure that the general public, our policymakers, and larger institutions really see the value of social workers as part of their teams.

 

What are your thoughts on the maternal health care crisis in the Black community? 

Not only are Black communities impacted severely by the lack of access to affordable healthcare, but also by racism that continues to pervade healthcare institutions. This includes the ways healthcare providers interact with Black families and Black pregnant people, and the ways that our financing system makes it so incredibly difficult for people to access the information and care that they need and deserve for healthy and safe pregnancy, delivery, and follow-up care. I am really excited about the programs and projects at CISWH that have been ongoing, including the Black Women First Initiative led by Dr. Linda Sprague Martinez. This is a crisis that has persisted for several centuries, and it’s time that we make the investments needed to support Black parents, moms, babies, and families so that everybody has the opportunity to thrive. 

 

How are CISWH and BUSSW actively working to diversify the social work profession? 

We need to tackle the issues facing the social work workforce and profession from multiple angles. First, we know we don’t have enough social workers to respond to the mental health crisis we are in. Second, we know that we are not always effectively meeting the needs of our diverse population because we don’t have enough social workers of color, or social workers who are multicultural and multilingual. We must work to eliminate the structural barriers that lock first-generation, low-income, disabled, LGBTQ+, multi-lingual, and folks of color out of the profession. Debt-free higher education and student loan forgiveness as well as paid practica can alleviate the financial burdens many students face. Many social work students have several jobs, are responsible for the care and financial needs of other family members, and have to take out hefty loans to finance their education. If we are serious as a society and as a profession about supporting the mental and physical well-being needs of our residents, then we must do more to support students who wish to pursue social work as their chosen profession.

 

Read more about how social workers can become leaders in health and public health.

In a transformative year for the Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health, Dr. Tami Gouveia was proudly welcomed as the Center’s new executive director. As a visionary leader in the realms of social work and public health, Dr. Gouveia’s arrival marks a new chapter of innovation. Following an engaging discussion led by BUSSW Dean Barbara Jones and Dr. Gouveia, the community gathered for a welcome reception, dedicated to celebrating Dr. Gouveia’s profound impact on social work and public service. 

During the event, several speakers shared their perspectives on Dr. Gouveia’s journey, emphasizing the lasting impact she has had in the two fields and her visionary leadership: 

 

Prof. Harold Cox, BU School of Public Health

“Tami Gouveia is not your ordinary leader. She is a force of nature. She believes in positive change and she is someone who believes in getting things done.” 

 

Mass. State Senator Jamie Eldridge 

“For anyone who followed Tami’s tenure as a legislator, she was someone who spoke truth to power, who was very independent-minded, very data focused, and really was successful in a number of areas of legislative action that we are seeing the benefits of to this day.”

 

Carla B. Monteiro, MSW, LICSW

“Witnessing such a remarkable individual like Tami, who has dedicated her life to social work and public service is heartening. Her unwavering commitment to the betterment of others is truly inspiring, as she serves as an example for all of us to follow.”

Check out the thought-provoking dialogue that unfolded between Dr. Tami Gouveia and Dean Barabara Jones during the Shaping the Future of Social Work in Health & Public Health event here.

Thursday, November 9, 2023
12:00 – 2:00 PM 
Conant Lounge, 2nd Floor
BU School of Social Work, 264 Bay State Road

Connecting Hearts and Minds: a Dialogue on Community 
Engagement & Trauma-Informed Global Social Work

CISWH and BU School of Social Work (BUSSW) students, faculty, and community leaders will share their experiences with partnership exchanges in Nicaragua, Kenya, and Uganda at the Connecting Hearts and Minds: a Dialogue on Community Engagement & Trauma-Informed Global Social Work event. This event is being held as part of BU Global Programs International Education Week (IEW) 2023.

The panelists will share insights about trauma-informed practices to reduce stigma and advance health and well-being.

• Rebecca Joseph, BUSSW MSW/MPH student, will share her experiences as a fellow collaborating with the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda.

• Monica Salazar, BUSSW MSW student and Prof. Margaret Lombe, PhD and Global Health Core affiliate will highlight student-led experiences in the Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya.

• Mojdeh Rohani, LICSW and Lauren Shebairo, LICSW of De Novo Center for Justice and Healing, along with Emilia Bianco, PhD, BUSSW lecturer and Global Health Core affiliate will highlight their work with migrants and refugees in Uganda and other East African countries. 

• Prof. Luz López, PhD, MPH, BUSSW faculty and director of the Global Health Core will discuss partnerships she has developed that deliver trauma-informed services in Nicaragua.

IEW is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange.

Zoom Link Here

Transnational Social Protection: Social Welfare Across National Borders

Thursday, September 28 2023

3:30 – 5:00 PM 

5th Floor Conference Room

704 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA

A Panel Discussion Presented by

The Migration Workshop at Boston University (BU); Co-Sponsored by BU Center for Innovation in Social Sciences and BU Department of Sociology 

Join Prof. Luz Lopez, CISWH global core director and BU School of Social Work (BUSSW) clinical professor, and Prof. Muhammad Zaman, CISWH board member and BU College of Engineering professor, for a book discussion on Transnational Social Protection: Social Welfare Across National Borders by Peggy Levitt, Erica Dobbs, Ken Sun, and Ruxandra Paul. 

The authors will deliver a presentation on the book, followed by a panel discussion featuring Profs. Lopez and Zamad. Transnational Social Protection: Social Welfare Across National Borders argues against the antiquated idea that eligibility for social rights is dependent on citizenship or where we live. The authors explore how migrants and their families increasingly draw social protections from multiple sources in a world where more and more people are living, working, and retiring outside of their countries of citizenship. 

Learn More Here