The Social Work Business Affairs Office is pleased to welcome, Jessica Hunter as the new budget analyst II.  Jessica's primarily responsibility includes providing post-award assistance to research faculty. Jessica brings years of experience in accounting and compliance and prior to joining Social Work she worked as an accountant and grant financial administrator at the Karmanos Cancer Institute. .  Jessica has a bachelor of science degree in accounting information systems from Eastern Michigan University. Jessica is located in office #252 and she can be reached at aw2413@wayne.edu and 313-577-0233.

Congratulations to Kendra Wells who was recently promoted to assistant manager of research support in the Center for Social Work Research. Kendra previously worked within the school as a M.S.W. intern, earning her M.S.W. in May 2018. In her new role Kendra will train and supervise the student research assistants, provide support to faculty and community research contracts, manage assessment tools, assist with evaluations, complete project management, and disseminate research activities. Kendra is particularly interested in medical cannabis research and policy, especially regarding the safety and rights of patients and its intersection with the criminal justice system. Kendra is located in room #151 and can be reached at kendrajwells@wayne.edu.

The Center for Behavioral Health and Justice will be welcoming Tamarie Willis in the role of research assistant starting mid-December. In her new role, Tamarie will run a jail diversion program for Monroe County that offers medically assisted treatment for opioid use and other support services to inmates with co-occurring substance use issues - all being done with the hopes of decreasing recidivism. Tamarie is currently an academic advisor III over the M.S.W. program, part-time faculty and a Social Work doctoral student minoring in criminal justice and statistics. Her current research interest centers on the intersection of incarceration and child welfare. Tamarie previously worked for two years as a research assistant for Center for Social Work Research, during her undergraduate and graduate studies. Tamarie can be contacted at es6136@wayne.edu.

J. Lloyd Allen welcomed Corporal Danielle Woods from the Detroit Police Department to come and speak in SW 7720: Introduction to Social Welfare Policy in the US class about policies specifically with police interactions with GLBT individuals. Allen stated Woods was great and the students loved her. The class is photographed below.

Jerrold Brandell recently began serving as the outside clinical consultant to Wayne State's Counseling and Psychological Services, and is now meeting regularly with staff clinicians for bi-weekly clinical supervision/consultation.

Director of Field Education Anwar Najor-Durack coordinated the 2018 Winter Wishes drive in the School of Social Work. The Winter Wishes service project, which is run by Wayne Law's Legal Advocacy for People with Cancer Clinic (LAPC), provides essential winter items such as coat and gloves as well as other holiday gifts and needs. The giveaway helps ease the financial strain on families struggling with medical and legal concerns.  This project is led by one of our M.S.W. students each year - this year Jessica Lennon (pictured below) lead the way along with her Field Instructor, Kathryn Smolinski. The host family, Mr. and Mrs. G offered their warm thanks and appreciation of our support.

From September 17^th until November 2^nd faculty, staff and students contributed to the Re-Entry Drive collecting items for citizens reintegrating into the community. Organized by Academic Advisor Tamarie Willis, Criminal Justice Assistant Professor Matt Larson, APEX Scholars Extension Program Coordinator Pam Dale, and Social Work student organizations The Association of Black Social Workers, The Muslim Women Social Work Association, and The Coalition of Community Social Workers. The drive was a fantastic success and thanks to all who contributed!

The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Program is a 12-month fellowship administered by Authority Health that prepares professionals to serve and empower vulnerable people to live healthier lives and create healthier communities. While continuing their graduate studies, Schweitzer Fellows design and implement community-based projects that address health disparities in Detroit, as well as the social determinants of health, such as poverty, the environment, and education. The fellowship, which is open to MSW students, comes with a $2,000 stipend and the opportunity to conduct a 200-hour community service project. Guided by Associate Professor Tam Perry, Sarah Charbonneau, a second-year student in MSW program, was named a 2018-19 Albert Schweitzer Fellow by the fellowship's Detroit Chapter - learn more here. Learn more about how you can become involved and support your student applicants here. Applications are due in February.  For information, contact Dennis Archambault at 313-871-3751 or darchambault@dwcha.org.

On November 7^th BSW SW3710 Social Welfare and the Social Work Profession students from Macomb attend the National Academy of Social Insurance Forum on the Future of Social Security at the University of Michigan. Hosted in Ann Arbor, the forum provided an opportunity for policy experts and local community leaders to participate in an educational forum on the future of Social Security. Pictured below from left students: Melissa Singer, Jill Biskner, Julia Namou, Lecturer Judith Wineman, Jessica Cassel, Paige Wolski, Christina Young