UNC Social Work

News from the UNC School of Social Work.

Tag us with #UNCSSW

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

#UNCSSW is number four 🥳

@usnews rankings released today list #UNCSSW as tied for 4th among the nearly 320 social work schools that were considered across the country, and tied for second among public universities.

Full story ➡️ https://t.co/ul87btO9qT

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

🚨 Publication Alert 🚨

A team of researchers including #UNCSSW Assistant Professor Orrin Ware were recently published in online in the @JAMAHealthForum.

Researchers analyzed data for eight million Medicaid enrollees across 10 states, investigating whether living closer to opioid addiction treatment providers increases medication use.

They found that better geographic access boosted treatment rates for non-Hispanic White enrollees, but that simply adding more providers is not enough to close racial gaps, highlighting a need for deeper strategies that address barriers.

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/JKbdK2fjhU

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

JOB ALERT 🚨 #UNCSSW invites applications for two open-rank tenure-track faculty positions. By applying, candidates will be considered for all available vacancies.

The application closes on Monday, Nov. 2. View the application ⬇️ https://t.co/Ft4GOBP5Jj

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

JOB ALERT 🚨#UNCSSW invites applications for three open-rank Practicum Education fixed-term clinical faculty positions. By applying, applicants will be considered for all available vacancies.

The application closes on Thursday, Oct. 1. Learn more information and apply ⬇️ https://t.co/YN16Hb9Ghn

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

🚨 Publication Alert 🚨

A team of researchers including #UNCSSW’s Hsun-ta Hsu were published in the June edition of The @AJDAAJournal.

In their paper “Understanding the relationship between stress and trauma coping in relation to binge drinking among young adults experiencing homelessness: a path analysis” the team explored how past and present trauma leads to binge drinking among young adults experiencing homelessness, finding that many use alcohol as a way to avoid or escape the overwhelming stress of their daily lives.

Their results highlight a critical need for programs that help these young people heal from trauma and develop healthier ways to handle stress, which is essential for improving their long-term health and helping them successfully find stable housing.

Learn more ⬇️ https://t.co/lYxAzHZDHS

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

Making it through the first week of classes calls for a sweet treat 🍦

This afternoon, students in our building were rewarded with a visit from Alsies Ice Cream courtesy of our Academic and Student Affairs team.

The fall 2026 semester is off to a great start!

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

🚨 Publication Alert 🚨

A team of researchers, including #UNCSSW’s Sheryl Zimmerman, were recently published in the July edition of Geriatric Nursing.

In their paper “Resident, family, and staff perceptions of the ‘Good Life’ in nursing home dementia care” the team examined what constitutes “good days” for nursing home residents, families and staff.

In the first study of its kind of examine perceptions of “Good Life” in nursing home dementia care from the perspective of residents, family and staff, all three groups highlighted that consistent routines and positive staff-resident interactions emerged as key contributors for “good days.”

Learn more ⬇️ https://t.co/aITJnKo1jv

[The Daily Tar Heel @dailytarheel]

For UNC students interested in social work, pursuing the profession has traditionally meant obtaining a graduate degree. Starting next fall, undergraduate students will be able to pursue a bachelor’s in social work.

Read the full story. https://t.co/Mw1WqHvVc7

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

On The Air 🎙️This morning, #UNCSSW Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education Amy Levine joined @WCHLChapelboro's @aaronkeck to discuss our new Bachelor of Social Work degree program!

Hear more and listen to the full interview ⬇️
https://t.co/Mgki00XHZe

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

Publication Alert

A research team led by #UNCSSW researcher Sonyia Richardson and including several UNCSSW students and faculty examined participant views of a program addressing mental health disparities among Black adults. The program used mental health hubs set in local churches and staffed by community-based health workers to link participants to mental health services. While participants rated the program’s services highly, men reported more difficulty accessing them.

The researchers concluded that faith-based mental health hubs show promise for closing gaps in mental health care among Black Americans and recommended using tailored outreach to improve access for key populations, such as men and young adults, who may face greater barriers to care and are generally less involved in religious organizations.

Read more ⬇️ https://t.co/PYaAKAOsDM

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

🚨 Publication Alert 🚨

A team of researchers including #UNCSSW’s Allison Metz, MacKensie E. Disbennett and Amanda B. Farley were recently published in Implementation Research and Practice.

Their paper “Evaluation of a University-Based Certificate Program Designed to Bolster the Workforce of Implementation Support Practitioners” evaluated a #UNCSSW-led implementation practice online course designed to train professionals to put research-based programs into practice.

Their findings showed that participants significantly improved their skills and confidence after participating in the course, demonstrating that this type of training can bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world community improvement. The paper is the culmination of an 8-year research agenda that saw the team develop the first research-based competencies for implementation practice.

Former #UNCSSW faculty member and current @UNCSchoolofEd assistant professor @toddmjensen as the lead author of the publication.

Learn more ⬇️ https://t.co/k0AAyxQaYV

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

On Monday, #UNCSSW Professor Lisa de Saxe Zerden joined higher education leaders at @RepDeborahRoss' Higher Education Roundtable on Graduate School Costs.

Participants discussed how proposed changes to federal student loans could affect graduate and professional students, workforce development and access to higher education.

Thank you to Congresswoman Ross for convening this important conversation on the future of graduate education!

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

🚨 Publication Alert 🚨

#UNCSSW’s Emily Putnam-Hornstein was part of a research team that followed more than 140,000 young people over 20 years in California to better understand their risk of death during transitions out of the foster care system.

The team published its findings in the March edition of @AmJEpi, finding that adolescents and young adults in the first few months of leaving care are at the most risk, highlighting opportunities for better support services during these transition periods.

#UNCSSW graduate and @ColoradoSPH Assistant Professor Claire McNellan was the lead author of the study.

Read more ⬇️ https://t.co/j8Ypxj8TJn

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

Kiley Nielsen recently joined the UNC School of Social Work this summer as a member of the online MSW program. She brings with her a background shaped by her time in the military, having joined the Marine Corps at 17 years old. Her career in the Marines included time in Iraq, where she served in crash fire rescue dealing with emergency responses and evacuations.

Along the way she’s gained knowledge and understanding that she believes will be valuable in helping veterans and their families navigate mental health diagnoses and substance use.

https://t.co/dcYOQDQEwc

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

Ashley Slocum, a student in the UNC School of Social Work’s full-time MSW program, presented research findings at the Higher Education Case Managers Association’s annual conference on June 23.

Her presentation, “Project RENEW: Utilizing a Longitudinal Needs Assessment to Drive Data-Informed Change in Medical Student Wellness,” detailed her research findings and provided an accessible blueprint for improving wellness and support for medical students.

Read more here⬇️ https://t.co/SampYklbcH

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

UNC School of Social Work alum Shantell Williams helps adolescents and their families navigate behavioral health challenges at the Cone Health Tim & Carolynn Rice Center for Child & Adolescent Health.

Read more about Williams here⬇️

https://t.co/rZUeuNNKOK

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

🎉 The UNC School of Social Work has received reaccreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), through the 2033-34 academic year.

Reaccreditation reaffirms the school’s legacy of national leadership, academic rigor and research excellence and ensures it is aligned with national quality standards to prepare students for professional practice.

Read more about our reaccreditation ⬇️ https://t.co/7P6jzhykDT

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

North Carolina's behavioral health workforce shortage is severe: 97 of 100 counties are designated mental health professional shortage areas. In a @NCIOM blog post, @UNC_SSW’s Lisa @de_zerden and @BriLombardiPhD explain how the federal RISE Final Rule could make it even harder for the next generation of social workers to enter the profession — and for communities to access care. https://t.co/gk7UKaoCdk

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

🚨 Publication Alert 🚨

#UNCSSW Research Assistant Professor Hannah Silverstein was the lead author for a publication that examined whether providing small, regular cash payments to families in Zambia helped improve the cognitive development of young children.

Researchers found that financial support most benefited children who were not in school and had parents with lower logical reasoning scores, helping close early learning gaps.

The team also included researchers from the UNC Department of Maternal and Child Health, Department of Public Policy, and Department of Psychology and Neuroscience.

Read more in Child and Youth Care Forum ⬇️ https://t.co/cCWswSs0cb

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

🚨New Publication Alert 🚨

A team led by #UNCSSW grad Melissa R. Jenkins that included faculty members Cindy Fraga Rizo and David Ansong explored how various community groups coordinate to protect youth with disabilities from sex trafficking, finding that organizations that communicate frequently are much better at sharing resources and referring clients to one another.

In the May 2026 special edition of Research on Social Work Practice, researchers identified specific gaps in training and coordination, providing a roadmap for communities to build more unified networks that can better identify, support and protect vulnerable youths.

Learn more ⬇️
https://t.co/F0GmgPBpFF

[UNC Social Work @UNC_SSW]

🚨 New Publication Alert 🚨

#UNCSSW researcher Paul Lanier was part of a team that studied infant exposure to cannabis before birth and their developmental outcomes.

The study, published in the April 2026 edition of @AcademicPeds, found children in the study who were exposed to cannabis before birth had similar health care and developmental outcomes by age three compared to their peers who were not exposed.

The team was comprised of faculty from the @UNC_SOM, including lead author Brittany J. Raffa, @uncsheps, and the #UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.

Read more ⬇️ https://t.co/8zigQpPJen