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Celebrating Black History Month:
Larry Davis, a Pioneering Figure in Social Work and Race Conversations
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The late Dr. Larry E. Davis, who passed away in 2021, was the dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh and the director and founder of that university’s Center on Race and Social Problems, which conducts applied social science research on race, ethnicity, and color. | |
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The Center brought in race scholars from across the US to share their race-related research. Its mission is to lead America further along the path to social justice, and in 2010, it hosted the largest conference ever held on race in America.
“Larry used to like to say that every serious social problem in the United States, if you scratch the surface, race is involved,” said University of Pittsburgh Provost Emeritus Jim Maher. ““He really set the school up to educate the professors who would go out to other social work schools,” Maher said. “The innovations he made here became innovations on a broad area of the country.”
Davis’s final book, Why Are They Angry With Us? Essays on Race, was an intimate examination of his own experiences with race in America. ”He was always willing to share stories from his own life to help teach others,” said Elizabeth M.Z. Farmer, Ph.D., Pitt’s current Dean of the School of Social Work. The book “truly was a window into his perspective and understandings.”
Davis earned a BS in psychology from Michigan State University, and a MSW and master’s in psychology, as well as a dual-degree PhD in social Work and psychology from the University of Michigan. He was the founder and leader of REAP. a consortium of Race, Ethnicity, and Poverty centers from across the country.
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2024 Employee Engagement Survey Deadline Extended Until Feb. 16 | |
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If you haven’t completed the 2024 Employee Engagement Survey, the deadline has been extended until February 16!
The link to the survey was originally emailed to all staff from Press Ganey on January 19 and again this morning.
Please note that the invitation was sent to all staff who were employed for 90 days at the time the survey was initiated. Anyone hired after October 16, 2023 is not eligible, based on this criteria.
Your input in the survey by February 16, which only takes 15 minutes, is important: your voice will help provide direction for where CHD needs to go as one of the region’s largest employers.
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Click on the flyer to read or download. | |
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The survey is completely confidential, cannot be linked back to individual employees, and will be used only for statistical purposes to identify trends, what is working, and areas for improvement.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Carol Fitzgerald at cfitzgerald@chd.org.
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Take CHD’s Kindness Counts! Challenge | |
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National Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 11-17. At CHD, we want everyone to practice kindness year-round, but we’re kicking off this celebration of the impact of kind gestures with the Kindness Counts! Challenge.
Random Acts of Kindness Week—and our challenge—is a celebration of all the ways we can become a positive influence in one another’s lives. Even one small act of kindness can mean a great deal to somebody. The world can be selfish and cruel sometimes, and not everyone receives the same kind of support they need. In such a world, it is important for us to constantly be reminded to be kind to one another and to give others hope whenever we can. A small and random gesture of kindness can go a long way.
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Click on the flyer to read or download. | |
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We’re offering prizes for those who participate in the Kindness Counts! Challenge. Pick as many squares as you’d like from the graphic we’ve provided, practice these random acts of kindness, and email it to Marie Gilberti at mgilberti@chd.org by March 4, 2024.
“How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.”
—Morgan Freeman
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CASA to Take Part in Information Sessions and Panel Discussions | | |
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CHD’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Hampden County is seeking new volunteers to serve as advocates for children in need in the community. There will be virtual information sessions on the following Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 p.m. (via Zoom): February 7, February 28, March 6, and March 20. | |
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These sessions will help prospective volunteers learn more about the role in advance of the program’s next round of training.
Through one-on-one advocacy, the CASA program works with Springfield and Holyoke Juvenile Courts to improve stability, opportunities, and permanency outcomes for children with active Care and Protection cases.
A volunteer CASA provides important information about children involved in each case with presiding judges, including educational, behavioral, medical, family, and cultural needs to help them see the full picture. These certified CASAs build relationships and communicate with children, adults, and service providers because advocacy for educational, behavioral, medical, family, and cultural needs takes place in and out of court.
CASA will also be presenting at a panel discussion hosted by the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley at the Ludlow Country Club on February 12 and in a forum at Springfield College on March 13: “Fostering Equity and Inclusion for Latinas/os in Child and Family Welfare.”
Pictured is the swearing-in of new CASA volunteers at Springfield Juvenile Court last November.
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February is American Heart Month
It’s February—American Heart Month—a time when the nation spotlights heart disease, the number one killer of Americans. Every year, Americans suffer more than 1.5 million heart attacks and strokes.
The good news is that you can help reduce your risk and improve your heart health by following the ABCS!
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What are the ABCS of heart health?
A: Take aspirin as directed by your health care professional.
Ask your health care professional if aspirin can reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Be sure to tell your health care professional if you have a family history of heart disease or stroke, and mention your own medical history.
B: Control your blood pressure.
Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. If your blood pressure stays high for a long time, you may suffer from high blood pressure (also called hypertension).
High blood pressure increases your risk for heart attack or stroke more than any other risk factor. Find out what your blood pressure numbers are, and ask your health care professional what those numbers mean for your health. If you have high blood pressure, work with your health care professional to lower it.
C: Manage your cholesterol.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the liver and found in certain foods. Your body needs cholesterol, but when you have too much, it can build up in your arteries and cause heart disease.
There are different types of cholesterol: One type is “good” and can protect you from heart disease, but another type is “bad” and can increase your risk. Talk to your health care professional about cholesterol and how to lower your bad cholesterol if it’s too high.
S: Don’t smoke.
Smoking raises your blood pressure, which increases your risk for heart attack and stroke. If you smoke, quit. Talk with your health care professional about ways to help you stick with your decision. It’s never too late to quit smoking. Visit smokefree.gov or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW today.
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TIAA Financial Planning
Interested in keeping your financial goals on track? Schedule a virtual meeting with a TIAA financial consultant.
Visit TIAA.org/schedulenow to set up a meeting or call 800-732-8353 weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Or check out the live webinars offered by TIAA in February.
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Trainings take place at the CHD Training Center, 1985 Main St., Springfield.
There are three ways to register:
- From here: Click on the link (Course title). This will bring you to Relias: simply log in and register.
- From Connect: Pink Title Bar > Our Company> Training Center> Upcoming Events
- From Relias: Browse Course Library – enter title
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Monthly follow-up training and practice sessions are available upon completion. Sign up today! | |
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Hot Job of the Week:
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Goodwin House
Chicopee, MA
Goodwin House is a co-occurring enhanced residential treatment facility for adolescent boys ages 13 to 17. The program offers a variety of different services, including individual therapy, family therapy, psychoeducation, education, self-help groups, and psychiatrist services.
The Recreational Therapist works within the Agency’s team model, establishing open communication, support, and accountability among co-workers. The successful candidate will implement a variety of group activities and programs based on the resident’s individual abilities and preference to encourage and promote resident participation. The Therapeutic Recreation Therapist must be compassionate, creative, energetic, and enthusiastic with the desire to enhance the quality of life of residents. Candidate must also have good interpersonal skills.
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CENTER FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Office of Community Engagement
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