The Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health Grants, Updates and Plans for the Future

The Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health (CISWH) has had a very exciting year, and is in the process of planning to ensure the successful trend continue and to help the Center meet its mission of expanding the impact of social work in health care, public health, and global health in order to reduce health costs, improve outcomes, and promote population health and health equity.

Dr. Sally Bachman—the Center’s Interim Director—has formed a strategic thinking group of key BU School of Social Work stakeholders to begin the first steps in the planning process. This process will lay the foundation for the long-term success of the CISWH in meeting its mission.

The Center’s seven Learning Communities are currently in the process of completing a special issue of The American Journal of Public Health, set to publish this fall. This series of papers showcases the transdisciplinary work of the Center’s Learning Communities over the past year in the areas of health equity, community health, global health, policy, health reform, behavioral health, and advancing social work education in health.

In addition, several research grants have recently been received through the CISWH. Professor Geoff Wilkinson received a $125,000 grant from the Sanofi Foundation to support development of a national Community Health Worker association. In partnership with the BU Medical School, professors Luz Lopez, Betty Ruth, and Janice Furlong have received HRSA grants. Professors Luz Lopez and Betty Ruth’s grant will be focused on designing, developing, and implementing an interprofessional curriculum on healthcare innovation. Professor Furlong will be working on a grant received by BU Medical School focused on establishing interprofessional primary care internships in 5 health centers: Codman Square, South Boston, East Boston, Roslindale, and within BMC for medical and physician assistant students, SAR dietician students, and MSW students. Dr. Bachman has also been awarded a $6M HRSA 3-year grant through the School of Public Health, to improve access to care for people living with HIV through the use of Community Health Workers. SSW faculty and staff are included in this effort.

There are several additional initiatives underway, including the creation of innovative and transdisciplinary field internships focused on the social determinants of health by the Center in partnership with the Field Education Department.

It promises to be a busy fall for the CISWH, stay tuned for details on future CISWH-sponsored events.

For questions or more information about the Center, please contact Dr. Bachman or the CISWH’s Program Manager, Madi Wachman.