Person in FINANCIAL Environment: Infusing Financial Competencies into Social Work

1. Person in FINANCIAL Environment: Infusing Financial Competencies into Social Work Richard Barth, PhD, Dean and Professor, University of Maryland School of Social Work Meg Woodside, MBA, MSW, Chair of the University of Maryland School of Social Work’s Financial Social Work Initiative

2. Why the UMB SSW Cares:Professional & Community Needs • Social work needs to continue to find ways to address poverty through personal social services now that income assistance and services are so separate • No-, low-, and moderate-income individuals can certainly benefit from financial social work—but all individuals and communities can also benefit • UMB SSW is committed to responding to emerging needs in ways that are timely and effective--so FSW must be studied as it is developed

3. Setting the Stage Three characteristics about the School positioned it to play a leadership role: • UMB’s dual Clinical and Management and Community Organizing (MACO) MSW tracks • UMB’s Social Work Community Outreach Service (SWCOS) links the campus and the community with faculty led field units • Alumni working in asset building field locally

4. The Perfect Storm • Social workers in the community began to recognize the need for additional financial skills in working with clients and communities • Alumni met Reeta and invited her to lead a continuing education session in Baltimore and hosted a reception for stakeholders (5/08) • The financial and economic crisis accelerated • Demand for clinical and community-based services outpaced the capacity of those with training--agencies had no pipeline of financially savvy social workers • Alumni with an interest in financial social work challenged the School to take a leadership role • Funders were willing investors in building the SSW’s training and community-based program capacity • The School responded to media attention regarding activities in response to the financial crisis--led to CNN stories • The Financial SocialWork Initiative workplan arose (11/08)

5. “Financial Social Work” – The Big Tent The catharsis of “naming it” at last called the question of establishing a theoretical framework for the field of financial social work, and highlighted the need to develop a body of research, evidence-based practices, and evaluation tools to support current practice and educational offerings

6. Infusion in the MSW Program • Reeta taught a successful 1-credit mini-mester (1/09) • De-novo 3-credit advanced year elective developed and taught Spring 2010 by an (alum) adjunct faculty entitled “Financial Stability for Individuals and Communities” • Paid internships and field placements in organizations providing financial social work

7. Infusion in Campus Activities • SSW Homecoming presence on alumni panel • SSW Job Fair presence • Lunch ‘N Learns for MSW students • Partnership with UMB Center for Financial Education and Wellness office across all 7 graduate schools • Credit Cafes hosted for students

8. Infusion in Faculty Activities • FSWI Research Committee established • Dr. Rebecca L. Sander, Committee Chair • Design phase of research on continuing professional education offerings – Dr. Jodi Jacobson, P. I. • Research Assistant approved • SSWR Special Interest Group (1/10) • CSWE submissions for Portland (10/10) • Faculty search conversations

9. Infusion in the Social Work Community • FSW “Tool Kit” developed for practitioners to highlight referral resources • Several full-day continuing professional education offerings of “Intro to Financial Social Work” well received across MD • Targeted outreach and trainings • Listserve under development

10. Infusion in External Communications • UMB-SSW Board of Advisors presentation • Partnership with campus Media Relations and Communications team • SWCOS Annual Report, one-page campus profile for donors and recruiting • SSW website for FSWI with interactive database for research projects • www.ssw.umaryland.edu/fsw/