Social Work Education and the Grand Challenges

R. Paul Maiden (PhD), Professor Emeritus (teaching) at the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Prior to his retirement from USC, he was Vice Dean, and subsequently, Executive Vice Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor (2007–17). From 2017–21 he taught in the school’s online MSW and DSW. His research and scholarship are focused on occupational social work, including workplace behavioral health, workplace violence, trauma management, managing organizational change, and executive leadership. Eugenia L. Weiss (PhD, PsyD) is a bilingual-bicultural licensed clinical social worker and licensed psychologist. She is Associate Professor and MSW Director at the School of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno. She was previously Clinical Professor at the University of Southern California (USC), Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Weiss served in the roles of Academic Center Director for the school’s San Diego and Orange County Academic Centers, and as Senior Associate Dean of faculty affairs. She was a recipient of the Hutto Patterson Foundation Award for Distinguished Social Work Faculty.

1.Integration of the 12 Grand Challenges into Social Work Curricula Part One – Individual and Family Well Being 2. Ensuring the Healthy Development of All Youth 3. Close the Health Gap 4. Build healthy relationships to end violence 5. Advancing Long and Productive Lives Part Two – Stronger Social Fabric 6. Eradicate Social Isolation 7. End Homelessness 8. Create Social Responses to a Changing Environment 9. Harnessing Technology in Social Good Part Three – A Just Society 10. Eliminate Racism 11. Smart Decarceration: A Multi-Prong Approach to Healing with the Incarcerated 12. Building Financial Capability and Assets for All 13. Reduce Extreme Economic Inequality 14. Achieving Equal Opportunity and Justice Part Four – The Grand Challenges in the Field 15. Addressing the 13 Grand Challenges for Social Work Via Simulation Labs: A New Approach in Undergraduate Education 16. Translating the Grand Challenges in Field Education 17. An Inclusive Model of Evaluation Capacity Building During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Epilogue: Mobilizing Social Work Educators in Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ADEI)