Social Work News

Amana Mbise, Ph.D., closing out his presentation during the Alaska Black Caucus town hall event Read More

Groundbreaking report sheds light on health disparities experienced by Black Alaskans

 |  Anchorage Daily News  |  , ,

On June 30, the Alaska Black Caucus held the Covid & Beyond: Black Health & Wellness Town Hall at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Amana Mbise, Ph.D., an assistant professor with the School of Social Work under the College of Health, presented eye-opening findings from the first-ever Black Alaskans Health Status report.

An adult holds the hand of a child Read More

Talk of Alaska: Breaking the cycle of removal for Black and Indigenous children

 |  Alaska Public Media  | 

School of Social Work assistant professor Dr. Jessica Ullrich and Dept. of Human Services associate professor Dr. Yvonne Chase were guests on Talk of Alaska on March 8 to talk about breaking the cycle of removing for Black and Indigenous children.⁠

Kids playing with fallen leaves during fall season Read More

UAA researchers hope to move child welfare away from separation and toward community building

 |  Alaska Public Media  | 

Social Work Assistant Professor Dr. Jessica Ullrich and Human Services Professor Dr. Yvonne Chase were featured in an Alaska Public Media article about a study they co-authored in the International Journal on Child Maltreatment, titled "A Connectedness Framework: Breaking the Cycle of Child Removal for Black and Indigenous Children." The study explores alternative child welfare strategies to limit family separation.

Photo of Vanessa Salmon Read More

MSW alumna Vanessa Salmon publishes article about the challenges rural women experience delivering babies

 |  Ahliil Saitanan  | 

Vanessa Salmon, a 2019 MSW program graduate, published an article in the Journal of Rural Mental Health, titled "When delivery means departure: Describing the practice and impacts of mandated maternal transport in Alaska," which was her capstone project for the program. This research is about the challenges rural women experience delivering babies and the demands of having to move into hub communities to await delivery. Salmon was the lead author, alongside UAA School of Social Work professor Dr. Heidi Brocious and UAF Dept. of Social Work associate professor Dr. Laverne Demientieff.

Photo of Jessica Ullrich Read More

Dr. Jessica Ullrich to present at Brazelton Touchpoints Center's virtual National Forum

 |  Ahliil Saitanan  | 

UAA School of Social Work's Dr. Jessica Ullrich will be a presenter on March 29 for Brazelton Touchpoints Center's virtual National Forum, which will take place March 29-31.