Preparing social workers to be trauma-informed leaders: UNE to create program thanks to John T. Gorman Foundation grant

The University of New England School of Social Work has been awarded a substantial grant from the prestigious John T. Gorman Foundation. The $93,500 award will create an academic hub to provide training for social workers in the area of trauma. The goal of the 12-month grant is to develop a comprehensive, education-response plan to ensure that public systems are more responsive and effective in their delivery of services to Maine's people.

UNE will collaborate with five community partners, Maine Behavioral Health, Maine Quality Counts, Maine Resilience Building Network, THRIVE, and the Community Caring Collaborative to build a statewide trauma-informed coalition. UNE School of Social Work Director Shelley Cohen Konrad, Ph.D., L.C.S.W., F.N.A.P., and Arabella Pérez, M.S.W., UNE assistant clinical professor, will lead the project in partnership with Marjorie Withers, L.C.P.C., founding director of the Community Caring Collaborative in Washington County.

The Foundation advances and invests in innovative ideas and opportunities that improve the lives of Maine's most vulnerable people. The independent, statewide Foundation focuses on four key areas: Improving educational achievement for children, promoting successful transitions to adulthood for vulnerable older youth, helping struggling parents to support their families and enabling low-income seniors to remain in their homes as long as possible. The Foundation's work is guided by data, evaluation, national best practices and lessons from the initiatives in which we invest. We also seek to inform and influence practice and policy on issues affecting disadvantaged children, youth, families and seniors.

“We are honored to receive this generous award from the John T. Gorman Foundation and believe the UNE School of Social Work has trauma-informed expertise and a legacy of innovative educational outreach to achieve its goals”, said Cohen Konrad. “We are committed to developing a statewide plan and ensuring its sustainable implementation to improve quality and caring services for all Maine’s people.”

To learn more about the University of New England’s Westbrook College of Health Professions visit www.une.edu/wchp

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions