September 21, 2020
Pitt School of Social Work Weekly E-blast
Welcome to our new look! We'd love to hear from you! Please share our e-blast with your contacts and send any story ideas to shm87@pitt.edu.
New faculty grants at Pitt Social Work
Assistant Professor Darren Whitfield received a $443,533 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to investigate the relationship between psychosocial factors (depressive symptomatology, substance use, social support, perceived HIV risk) and adherence and persistence to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). Read more.
Assistant Professor Jaime Booth is the Co-Principal Investigator on a $593,580 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for her project “From Data Literacy to Collective Data Stewardship: Technology-Supported Community-Driven Solutions for Urban Youth.” In partnership with Pitt's School of Computing and Information this project will engage high school youth, living in Pittsburgh neighborhoods that have largely been left behind in recent shift from manufacturing to tech jobs. Read more.
Extensive media coverage for new report by Sara Goodkind
Associate Professor Sara Goodkind's work, along with colleagues from Gwen's Girls, on the new report, “Understanding and Addressing Institutionalized Inequity,” details a harsh reality: Black youths in the Pittsburgh area are disproportionately placed into the criminal justice system. Goodkind spoke with most local media outlets and was interviewed on WESA 90.5. Read more coverage.
Faculty members pens article about improving interprofessional gerontology skills
Clinical Associate Professor Beth Mulvaney, along with colleagues from the Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Rehabilitation Sciences, the Center for Social & Urban Research, and others collaborated on "Improving the interprofessional practice, knowledge, and skills of health professions students through an interactive course in gerontology" for Advances in Social Work.
Faculty member publishes article about domestic violence
Assistant Professor Travis Labrum recently published a study in Psychological Medicine examining domestic violence reports between adult children and their parents. Contrary to popular belief, persons with serious mental illness were not more likely to use firearms or other weapons. Incidents involving persons with serious mental illness were often connected to psychiatric crises and symptoms, highlighting the need for services that support family members navigate psychiatric challenges. 
MSW student works to improve Census outreach efforts
After applying for and receiving a $15,000 DCED grant for Census outreach efforts, MSW student Rochelle Burks stars in a short, animated Census outreach video. The Census outreach efforts are a collaboration between Beaver County non-profits, including TRAILS Ministries of which she is a part. Watch it on YouTube.
Alumnus talks to ABC News
Doctoral alumnus Michael Lindsey, executive director at New York University's McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research, spoke to ABC News about the importance of cultural competency in medicine. Lindsey published a study last year about suicide attempts among Black teenage boys. Read more.
Post-doc shares his experience at Pitt
In honor of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, we spoke to post-doctoral fellow Daniel Hyung Jik Lee. He is currently involved in several research projects, teaching, and sharing his culture with fellow Pittsburghers. Read more
Upcoming Events

  • September 22, 2020: The American Experience Distinguished Lecture Series: Dr. Larry Davis. 7pm-8pm. Register for Zoom Link.

  • September 23, 2020: Social Work Speaker Series: Juvenile Delinquency and Violence: Ecological Factors . 12pm-1pm. More information.



  • September 26, 2020: Continuing Education: Everyday Ethics in Social Work Practice. 9am-12pm. Registration Information.

  • September 30, 2020: Alumni Speaker Series: Tracy Soska. 12pm-1pm. Register here.

  • October 19, 2020: Distinguished Alumni Awards Virtual Celebration. 5:30pm-8pm. More information.

For a complete listing of upcoming events please visit the