Developing S ustainable Graduate Social Work Education in the Former Soviet Republic: Tbilisi Georgia

1. Developing Sustainable Graduate Social Work Education in the FormerSoviet Republic: Tbilisi Georgia James T. Decker, Ph.D., LCSW Director/Chair Professor Department of Social Work California State University, Northridge Northridge, California 91330

2. Introduction This paper will outline the steps that occurred: • In the development of a Graduate Social Work Program housed in Tbilisi, Georgia, and • Issues related to “human capital” and “sustainability” will be addressed that are developed in response to the social conditions of Tbilisi and issues of developing partnerships

3. Introduction Other Related Topics Include: • An overview of the developmental history and the justification for a Master of Social Work rather than a Bachelor of Social Work will be discussed. • As of March 2007, twenty-seven students have been admitted into this new graduate program.

4. Developmental History • In 1991, the Republic of Georgia received its independence from Russia. • Prior to the Republic of Georgia receiving its independence, Georgia was under communist rule. • That meant there were no “social problems,” • Only “mental heath” issues that were treated with hospitalization and medication.

5. Developmental History • From 1991 through 1998, social work did not “exist” and social problems were simply not addressed in Georgia. • As an emerging nation, corruption in Georgia was present in all levels of government and still is. • During that time period, acknowledgement of social problems would not have receive favorable attention from other government entrees. • In 1999, professional social work or international social work was just starting to emerge in Georgia.

6. Developmental History • Social work as a profession in Georgia did not exist on an academic level till 2005-2006. • From 1991 till 2007; perception of the mission and role of social workers in Georgia remained vague and somewhat unclear. • During this time period, there was an urgent need for further development and the establishment of professional social workers based on: • Poor social conditions that existed in Georgia, which included:

7. Developmental History • Poverty; • Street Children; • Trafficking; • “Hidden Issues:” • Like Substance Abuse

8. Developmental History • Domestic (Spousal) Abuse; • Family Issues Related to Children; • HIV/AIDS.

9. The Development of Social Work Education in Georgia Based on the emerging social problems within Georgia: • The Georgia Social Work Fellowship Program was initiated by the Open Society Institute to foster the development of the Social Work Profession. • The primary goals of the Social Work Fellowship Program were to provide training in Social Work at United State Universities • Graduates hopefully would return to Mongolia, Azerbaijan and now Georgia

10. The Development of Social Work Education in Georgia • The goal of the Open Society Institute was to implement reform; • Create Social Policy; • Foster the Development of Social Work Practice, and • Starting in 2005 Develop: • Social Work Education

11. The Development of Social Work Education in Georgia The long term goals of the Open Society Institute Fellowship Program were to: • Graduates would be expected to return to their home countries; • Graduates would apply their new knowledge and skills into direct practice models related to local social problems • Contribute to the development of the social work profession on a Academic Level

12. The Development of Social Work Education in Georgia Based on the social conditions that existed in Georgia, returning MSW Graduates • Were placed in community leadership positions; • Rather than providing direct services, which they trained for.

13. Issues related to Sustainable In 2005 Social Work was added to the Open Society Institute Fellowship Program (AFP) Educational list to develop and enhancements Social Work Education Programs at both the Undergraduate and Graduate Levels in Mongolia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. • AFP was seeking two international partners (Fellows) for Georgia: • One who could provide the resources to support faculty in the development of research agendas; and

14. Issues related to Sustainable • One who could help in developing curriculum for social work education.

15. Issues related to Sustainable During the Caucasus Fellows Orientation Session from September 29th through October 2nd 2005 discussions in the Department of Psychology at Tbilisi State University related to the development of a new Master of Social Work Program with an emphasis on leadership were set in motion Highlights from that session were:

16. Issues related to Sustainable • An agreement to develop a Master of Social Work Program, housed in The Faculty of Psychology at Tbilisi University starting in the Fall Semester, 2006, which was approved by both the faculty of and the Dean of the Psychology Department.

17. Tasks related to Sustainable • A starting date for the first class to be in the Fall semester of 2006, which would provide a planning process of one year. • Faculty members each selected one course related to their area of expertise and planned to infuse Social Work foundation year (1st year master) content into their existing Psychology and/or Social Work courses.

18. Tasks related to Sustainable • The development of a field manual related to social work in Georgia would be developed in the summer of 2005 • Field agency training would be available for potential field instructors within the development of a field internship program in the summer of 2005. • review curriculum content and field content for implementation deadlines in the summer of 2005.

19. Tasks related to Sustainable • Curriculum would be developed to meet: • International Accreditation Standards set forth by: • International Federation of Social Workers (ISFW); • International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) and; • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Accreditation Standards.

20. Outcomes Related to Sustainability • The first step towards sustainability was achieved with the Rector awarding program status to the MSW in March 2005. • The second step related to sustainability was the Rector inviting the Bridgewater and CSUN Presidents to meet with him to open up discussions on developing joint programs between each university. • The third step toward sustainability was admitting students and providing graduate courses for the new MSW Degree.

21. Outcomes Related to Sustainability • The fourth step, related to financial sustainability; was to develop a grant and submit it to OSI for field training of agency supervisors. • The fifth step, also related to financial sustainability, required submitting grants to United States Foundations.

22. Flexibility Related to Sustainability The Politics Of Everything Changed In May of 2006, • The Rector stepped down and an Acting Rector took over. • At the same time, the Dean of The Faculty of Psychology also stepped down as Dean and an Acting Dean took over. • The Original Master of Social Work Program had to be reintroduced to both the Acting Dean and Acting Rector. • Both stated supportive.

23. Flexibility Related to Sustainability The Politics Of • But the reality was that the program was back at “square one” as both were “acting” and would not commit to any long-term formalization of the program until their “acting” positions were made permanent or a new, permanent dean or rector were appointed. • The Minister of Education permanently appointed the Acting Rector to Rector, who in turn appointed the Acting Dean of The Faculty of Psychology to be Dean.

24. Flexibility Related to Sustainability The Politics Of • University approval again was granted on May 5, 2006, one year after it was initially approved and the program was already teaching twenty-seven full-time students. Based on lack of Support from the Dean of Psychology the results were: • The co-director made plans on July 8, 2007 to move the MSW Program to Ilia Chavchavadez State University, Tbilisi Georgia. • 20 of the 27 students moved to the new University

25. Flexibility Related to Sustainability The Politics Of • Support by AFP was dropped • Positive Results were: • Ilia Chavchavadze State University Made Social Work a Department within the College of Philosophy and Social Studies • Provided Space for a Library and Resource Center (TSU did provide for Space for a Library and Resource Center) • A Newer and Heated/Cooler Building with Newer Classrooms

26. Flexibility Related to Sustainability The Politics Of • I made a commitment to stay for one more year so we could develop the Concentration Year Curriculum on my Dime • We Submitted of a Grant to The Eurasia Foundation to develop: A 3 Day Workshop for Field Instructors Related to the Concentration Year Field Practice, a Two Day Workshop for Instructors Prepare and Publish a Field Manual Develop the Library and Resource Center Purchase Desktop Computers Purchase Printer Purchase Copy Machine

27. Flexibility Related to Sustainability The Politics Of Purchase Projector with a Screen Purchase Tape Recorders and Video Camera Purchase New Books Develop Course Reader in Georgian Language Hire a Half-time Resource/Field Coordinator

28. Flexibility Related to Sustainability The Politics Of • Grant was Founded for $45,000 • Workshop is Scheduled for November 8, 9, & 10 2008 • Curriculum Development Workshop For Instructors November 11th and 12th • I Will Return in Early March and Co-Teach Concentration Courses for two weeks.

29. Implications In order for emerging countries to develop “self determination” and become “self-sufficient,” they must utilize their “human capital” to help develop a belief system that includes the concept of staying in their home country so they can in fact make a difference.

30. Implications • One way to implement this principle is through the use of Sustainable Graduate Social Work Programs that are developed in response to the social conditions of each country. • These programs must be University and Government supported, which will require a financial commitment from that country.

31. Implications By providing a financial commitment: • 1. It demonstrates the country’s ability to have a vision for its “human capital” past today. • 2. It is also implied that every human being has a unique value and that each individual has the right to self-fulfillment • 3. That this individual now has an obligation to contribute to the well-being of their society

32. Implications • 4. Based on the principles of the International Federation of Social Workers (ISFW), International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the aforementioned concepts are what Graduate Social Work Education is all about. • Lastly, and most important: • Even if your funding source's have dried up and the project is not finished; you must continue if in fact you are committed to “Sustainable.”

33. THANK YOU