When social workers discuss the kinds of policies we’d like to see implemented to protect children, it oftentimes seems like a long shot to see any of them come to fruition. Social work is full of dreamers – people who care deeply about the world around them and devote their lives to creating innovative solutions […]

With federal, state and local funding in flux and philanthropic / corporate giving less secure, leading nonprofit organizations has been challenging in 2025. Layer on major shifts in language, policy, and a general sense of anxiety, and managing programs feels a bit like trying to drive a bus on a bumpy road during a minor […]

We’re excited to share what’s ahead this spring and summer at the Jordan Institute for Families, especially through our Leadership Development Initiative! Check out what’s coming up and how you can get involved. All events are free. Registration is required. Questions? Email Rakiah@unc.edu.  Lunchtime Meet-Up Series  Take a break, recharge, and connect with peers during […]

Have you ever been in a situation where working with a group makes the work harder than completing the work alone? Many groups struggle to agree on a shared goal and to work on it effectively. In a world where teamwork is essential, knowing how to build the team and maximize each team member’s unique […]

Prisons and jails are filled with women whose lives have been devastated by trauma, abuse, and addiction. These statistics surrounding incarcerated women are alarming and reveal the complex challenges they face. This situation highlights the critical need for comprehensive reentry programs. In 2022, the number of women incarcerated in jails and prisons across the United […]

We have to tell our stories so many times, but nothing changes. This space feels like a place where the stories matter and are heard.”  Research centering the perspectives and needs of people living with chronic conditions is essential for improving care. We know that there are groups of people whose voices are needed to […]

Mindfulness has gained popularity over the years. Many are familiar with the term in an intrapersonal context, within oneself. “Mindfulness is the awareness of one’s internal states and surroundings’ ‘. In other words, when we are mindful, we intentionally stop and recognize what we are feeling, thinking, and experiencing without judgment. Now you’re probably thinking, […]

Yes, you heard it here. It is time for us to rethink the five-day workweek. Some of you may be rolling your eyes, shaking your head, and thinking about how the young generation has no work ethic. However, what if, for just a moment, we considered that a shorter work week could improve productivity, and […]

As social workers in management positions, we have to reckon with two things constantly 1) we are trying to push back against an exploitative system and 2) we are intimately a part of that system. While there are many strategies and ways to focus on being “in the system but not of the system,” here […]

Your alarm goes off. You wake up and turn on your lamp. You unplug your phone from the wall and glimpse your notifications. You walk to the restroom and turn on the shower. You wait for the water to heat up, and throw a pile of clothes on the bed destined to be the day’s […]

For Sarah Verbiest, every day begins with a question: How do we ensure people have the support they need to be parents? What more can we do to help people be healthy? How do we make sure they have access to mental health services? What’s needed to ensure individuals build strong and healthy relationships, and […]

Public Benefits Cliffs: 2 Steps Forward, 1 Step Back for Working Families in North Carolina When most people get a raise or a chance to earn more money, it can help their family get caught up on bills, reduce debt, save for emergencies or retirement, get a car fixed – the list goes on. Unfortunately, […]

Disrupt Bias and Build Equity in Fatality Review Systems (and all systems!) John is an 8-year old Black boy who died due to drowning. At the time of the incident, John was swimming with his summer camp at a public pool. He had just reached the height minimum to be in the “big kid” area. […]

The University of Connecticut’s Campaign School for Social Workers has been hosting workshops for social workers across the U.S. for twenty-five years. Taught through the lens of social work’s professional values and the Code of Ethics, this workshop allows attendees to learn about the power of politics from political insiders and experts. Specifically, this workshop […]

I guess you could say that part of my job puts me in the “motherhood” business. I have two young adult children who I love beyond reason and would die for without a second thought. Hearing my 79-year old mother’s voice on the phone when I call always comforts me instantly. And I strongly dislike […]

Our fifth event in the R3 symposium series, Transformational Research: Dismantling Systems of Oppression in Justice, Education and Health, held Dec. 9, 2021, highlighted scholarship from UNC graduate students, research scientists, and faculty from the School of Government, the School of Education, and the School of Public Health. Two of the UNC scholars were joined by their […]