School of Social Work

Dennis Stark, in light blue Pitt T-shirt sitting in a plaid yellow armchair, placing pills into a pill counter placed on a white table. A prescription pill bottle is on the table.
The goal of the new center is to use the best in modern medical research to improve the care, health and quality of life of all persons with disabilities and the families and caregivers who support them.
Pitt Professor of Social Work Daniel Rosen and his colleagues have secured a $1.25 million federal grant to not only strengthen opioid abuse training for 70 master of social work students, but to put them in some of Allegheny and Beaver County’s highest areas of overdose deaths and also to train the staff manning the School of Social Work’s community partner organizations.
Brandon Thomas standing outside with a colorful background of the surroundings -- greenery, signs, buildings, flowers -- blurred in the background
Emergency room professionals often see patients with mental health issues. School of Social work senior Brandon Thomas has developed a training module to address stigma and bias among medical professionals toward these patients. His research is showing some promising early results.
Mary Beth Rautkis wearing blue PItt sweatshirt, photographed with donated bags of pet food at an area food bank
A team led by Pitt’s Mary Beth Rauktis surveyed area food banks and found that patrons with pets had fewer food security issues than those without, though some pet owners also cut down on their own meals to feed their furry friends.