CADD Corner: Social Work’s Grand Challenges

By Marilyn Flynn, Dean

All of the schools of social work in California have an opportunity to participate in one of our most important 21^st century initiatives—the Grand Challenges for Social Work.

Launched by the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare at the annual program meeting of the Society for Social Work and Research, the Grand Challenges represent a social agenda for the next decade.  They are relevant to those of us immersed in social work science, but equally to those who care passionately about curriculum, our student pipeline to the profession, and community transformation.

Over the last two years, an Academy committee has developed 12 Grand Challenges representing deeply significantly social issues where progress can be achieved in the next decade.  If these problems can be solved, society will change profoundly for the better.  With leadership from universities and professional practitioners, the public concept of social work and our influence will be significantly improved.  New resources will be attracted to our schools; students from traditional and non-traditional disciplines will be drawn to the promise we represent for social change.

The 12 Grand Challenges are:

• ensure health development for all youth
• close the health gap
• stop family violence
• advance long and productive lives
• eradicate social isolation
• end homelessness
• create social responses to a changing environment
• harness technology for social good
• promote smart decarceration
• reduce extremely economic inequality
• build financial capability for all
• achieve equal opportunity and justice.

As CADD discusses goals for social work education, the Grand Challenges should be part of our dialogue together.

A Western Consortium is also being formed that I hope will include you, your faculty and students.  More to come in following months!