School of Social Work Offers Workshop, Honors Fieldwork Supervisors, Celebrating Springfield College 125th Anniversary
January 26, 2010SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Jan. 25, 2010 – Springfield College School of Social Work will celebrate the 125th anniversary of Springfield College on Feb. 26, 2010, with a 9 a.m. professional development workshop for social workers and a noon luncheon honoring supervisors of the school’s students in internships and fieldwork in the community. Both events will be held at the School of Social Work’s facilities at the Brennan Center, 45 Island Pond Rd., in Springfield.
According to Francine J. Vecchiolla, dean of the Springfield College School of Social Work, “The 125th anniversary is the ideal opportunity to reflect on the leadership history of Springfield College in social work education. The rich array of the day's events is designed to bring together the entire social work community, in which the college has been an active participant: advisory board members, faculty, field supervisors, professionals, alumni and students.”
Springfield College Adjunct Professor of Social Work Terri J. Haven, LICSW, will conduct the workshop, “The Body’s ‘Voice:’ Understanding and Responding to Trauma-Induced Dissociation and Physical Health.” Haven has been a leader in trauma education and psychotherapy for several years and has been studying in depth the body’s response to trauma. The workshop is co-sponsored by the Springfield College School of Social Work and the New England Consortium of Field Education.
At the luncheon, Sarah Kendall-Ruest, director of professional development for Behavioral Health Network, will receive the school’s 2010 Annual Field Supervisor of the Year Award. Making the presentation will be Springfield College Professor of Social Work William T. Fisher, Jr., director of field education.
Also honored will be professionals who supervise the school’s students in internships and fieldwork. Recently, the Council on Social Education identified field instruction and on-site application of theory to practice as the “signature pedagogy” in professional social work education.
Springfield College master of social work students each serve 1050 hours in hospitals, healthcare agencies, schools, community centers, correctional facilities, and substance abuse agencies; in services for children, families, veterans, women, elders, and persons with mental health or domestic violence issues; and in other public and private social work settings. This year, 250 such students are serving throughout New England and in the state of New York.
Social work professionals may register for the free workshop by e-mailing Amanda@scssw@gmail.com. Field supervisors who have been sent invitations to the luncheon may register by e-mail, by calling Kate DeCou, Springfield College School of Social Work assistant director of field education, at 413 748-3027, or by mail.
