Faculty and staff within the College of Social Work at Ohio State University (OSU) lead several projects and initiatives that focus on the development of school-family-community partnerships and family support initiatives, the enhancement of youth development, sport, and after-school programming, and the assessment and evaluation of youth development, family support, and school social work practices.

For instance, we serve as the training and technical assistance providers for grantees receiving 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding in Ohio. The Ohio Community Collaboration Model for School Improvement (OCCMSI) pilot research and implementation work expands how we view school improvement by focusing on standards-based accountabilities, as well as getting the “conditions right for learning” by addressing non-academic barriers to learning through collaborative leadership and strategic partnerships. And multiple years of evaluation support to the Capital Kids program (formally Cap City Kids) and the United Way of Central Ohio has provided leadership for capacity-building and professional development efforts in the Columbus community.

The College also is one of three universities in the state of Ohio with a school social work training program licensed by the Ohio Department of Education. Approximately 25 graduate students enroll in our school social work masters program each year. Our graduates provide school-based and -linked direct practice services for children and families, as well as facilitate partnerships among schools, families, and various community stakeholders. We also provide in-service professional development opportunities for social workers and counselors already working in the field.

We do our work in collaboration with multiple partners, including the OSU Center for Learning Excellence, the OSU P-12 Project, Columbus’ Afterschool Counts!, the United Way of Central Ohio, partners at SUNY- Albany’s Social Welfare Department, the University of Missouri’s Center for Advancement of Mental Health Practices in Schools, Miami University’s Department of Psychology and Center for School-Based Mental Health Assistance, and many other consultants and stakeholders who care about these issues.

For more information about these and other initiatives, contact Dawn Anderson-Butcher at anderson-butcher.1@osu.edu or (614) 292-6934.