Pitt School of Social Work is partnering with Arizona State University and 12 other universities across 11 states to offer an AmeriCorps opportunity that provides financial support for 9 Pitt students in their practicum placements. Our 9 Pitt students join a cohort of 99 social work students from across the U.S., working closely with intimate partner violence experts to build capacity in public health agencies to improve knowledge about domestic violence and the use of evidence-based interventions for survivors. Faculty manage the program, which includes funding for these 9 practicum placements at local non-profits, training, and networking nationwide with other social work students dedicated to disrupting gender-based violence.
Survivor Link + Public Health AmeriCorps members will engage in 675 service hours during the 2023-2024 academic year to earn a $4,000 stipend and a $2,474.27 Segal Education Award. Service hours include internship, training in domestic violence by national experts, and engagement with a faculty mentor (Dr. Sara Goodkind). For 2nd year and advanced standing MSW students, the AmeriCorps training can fit within the required practicum placement hours. For BASW students, this means that you complete 75 hours of training beyond the 600 hours required for your practicum placement. This program is not a good fit for 1st year non-advanced standing MSW students because of the lower number of practicum hours required. This is an excellent opportunity to participate in national service, earn money to engage in internship hours, and connect with people across the U.S. who share an interest in building healthy and violence-free communities. Please see below and in the linked documents for more information.
Because the program is aimed at enhancing agencies’ knowledge and capacity to support survivors, your practicum placement does not need to be in an agency focused on gender-based violence (though it can be). Practicum placements can include a variety of agencies and organizations, at which participating students will share their gender-based violence training. If you are selected for this program, we will work with you to secure an appropriate practicum placement site.
Additional information and links:
Survivor Link + Public Health AmeriCorps builds capacity in public health agencies to respond to domestic violence in their local communities so that they can provide sustained and effective intimate partner violence services. The program also provides future social workers with pathways to public health related careers. Survivor Link makes a contribution to public health across the U.S. by improving services and interventions for survivors and training the next generation of social workers to respond to domestic violence. Survivor Link was established as an AmeriCorps program in 2015 and has grown from one program locally in Arizona to three programs with a national presence. Survivor Link has trained 445 AmeriCorps members as domestic violence advocates in Arizona and Survivor Link members have earned over $1.2 million in scholarships. More information on Survivor Link can be found here.
Public Health AmeriCorps is a collaboration between the CDC and the Corporation for National and Community Service, investing $400 million over 5 years with the aim of meeting public health needs of communities and advancing more equitable health outcomes for socially vulnerable groups. More information can be found about Public Health AmeriCorps here.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Dr. Sara Goodkind, Professor, sara.goodkind@pitt.edu
Dr. Tonya Slawinski, Director, Office of Practicum Education, tslawin@pitt.edu