Social work research to be showcased at UMaine
Cutting-edge research that aims to improve conditions faced by disadvantaged communities and individuals will be showcased at the Social Work Graduate Research Symposium on May 4 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in the Wells Commons on the University of Maine campus.
The presentations represent the work of 18 graduate students from UMaine’s Masters of Social Work program, a unit of the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture.
Though the students are based in Orono, their research targets challenges faced by communities throughout Maine, and much of it holds nationwide relevance, from opioid addiction treatment to helping the elderly thrive in place.
“Students in the Master of Social Work program gain real-world experience by partnering with agencies who shape their research questions so they address relevant, timely challenges currently faced by communities in Maine,” said Sandra Butler, interim director and professor for UMaine’s School of Social Work, and Master of Social Work coordinator.
Students will discuss findings on the following subjects:
- Adverse childhood experiences: What foster parents do and don’t know about trauma and its effect on child development (Students: Keren Copperman, Michelle Mason, Jon St. Peter; Community partner: Maine Resilience Building Network)
- Satisfaction with prenatal care services at Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center (Students: Samantha Brown, Katie Jones, Amy Singer; Community partner: Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center)
- A profile of kinship foster care families in Maine (Students: Jennifer Carlow, Aleeshia Carroll, Savanna Power; Community partner: Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine)
- Quality counts: Evaluating the strength of a nurse home visitation program in Bangor, Maine (Students: Anita Hood, Meisha Nickerson; Community partner: Bangor Public Health and Community Services)
- A cohort’s view of Medication Assisted Treatment: A need for further research (Students: Lorrie Mitchell, Sean Raymond; Community partner: Seaport Community Health Center of Belfast)
- Katahdin area community needs assessment: Challenges and opportunities to thriving in place (Students: Favour Akhidenor, Tom Elie, Jeremy Robichaud; Community partner: UMaine Center on Aging)
- Hammers and hampers: Home repair and maintenance services that support aging in place (Students: Nicole Benner, Sara K. Martin; Community partner: Eastern Area Agency on Aging)
The public is welcome to attend this free event, and advance registration is not required. For more information or to request a disability accommodation, contact Dawn Taylor at 207.581.4718