UAA School of Social Work

🌟 Register for the Advancing School Social Work in Alaska Conference

Join us April 9–10, 2026, for a statewide gathering of school social workers and school-based mental health professionals. Hosted by the UAA School of Social Work and funded by the U.S. Department of Education, this free conference offers two days of learning, collaboration, and professional growth.

Highlights include:
🎤 Keynote by Dr. Robert Lucio (University of Tennessee) on narrative therapy in schools
📘 A second, in‑depth narrative therapy session
🔔 Friday keynote announcement coming soon
📝 Contact hours available (pending NASW approval)
✈️ $1000 travel scholarships for attendees outside Anchorage/Mat‑Su (register by March 1 for priority consideration)

Secure your spot and be part of advancing school social work across Alaska.

🔗Register today: https://tinyurl.com/zc83cyxw

📣 Call for presentation proposals! Help Advance School Social Work in Alaska

The UAA School of Social Work, in partnership with the Alaska Association of School Social Workers, is hosting the Advancing School Social Work in Alaska Conference on April 9–10, 2026—and we’re now accepting presentation proposals!

We welcome submissions for workshops, panels, oral/paper sessions, and posters. If you’re doing innovative work in school-based behavioral or mental health, this is your platform to share it.

📅 Proposal deadline: Feb. 27, 2026.

The conference is free to attend, and registration is open now. Join school social workers and mental health providers from across Alaska as we learn, connect, and strengthen the presence of school social work statewide.

Submit your proposal and register today!

🔗Proposal submission form: https://tinyurl.com/4u9enam9
🔗Registration link: https://tinyurl.com/zc83cyxw

It's always a pleasure to see our faculty and students making a real-world impact by sharing their work!

🌟 We are proud to celebrate Commissioner Kim Kovol, a graduate of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of Alaska Anchorage’s College of Health. Commissioner Kovol’s leadership and advocacy have been instrumental in advancing Bruce’s Law and strengthening efforts to prevent substance use tragedies. Her commitment to public education, community well-being, and youth empowerment reflects the very heart of social work values taught at UAA.

"At UAA, I became a LEND Fellow and earned my Master of Social Work, which prepared me for my work in Governor Mike Dunleavy’s office and now as Commissioner of the Department of Family and Community Services,” said Commissioner Kovol. “That journey allowed me to support Bruce’s Law, something that means so much to families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl. This law honors their pain by giving young people the knowledge they need to make safer choices."

We are honored to see an alumna of our program making such a profound impact at both the state and federal levels! 💚💛

BRUCE’S LAW & HR 2483 | On Monday, President Donald J. Trump signed the “SUPPORT for Patients and Communications Reauthorization Act of 2025” (HR 2483), which reauthorizes programs related to substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery.

Alaskan and clinical psychologist Sandy Snodgrass, the mother of a victim named Bruce, was present at the signing with the President.

“Bruce’s Law,” a component of this legislation, was officially introduced in the United States Congress in 2022 by Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Senator Dan Sullivan (as well as Senator Dianne Feinstein of California and Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire).

In Alaska, Snodgrass is a founder of the AK Fentanyl Response Project, a project dedicated to sharing her story as a means of increasing awareness and advocating for legislative action, as well as the importance of Naloxone Kit availability and training. Additionally, Snodgrass is actively involved with and has co-founded additional organizations that provide support and advocacy for families of the victims of overdoses.

With the President at the signing were supporters of the legislation, including Department of Family and Community Services Commissioner Kovol, Congressman Brett Guthrie (Kentucky), and Ohio Senator Jon Husted.

Commissioner Kovol began working with Snodgrass in a previous role as a special assistant in the Office of the Governor for Governor Mike Dunleavy. Since that initial work, Commissioner Kovol has continued to champion Snodgrass and this cause at the federal level, advocating for public education and awareness regarding the dangers of fentanyl.

“Bruce’s Law is an important step in protecting young people across Alaska and throughout the country. When we give youth clear, honest education about the dangers of fentanyl, we empower them to make safer choices and we prevent tragedies before they happen,” said Commissioner Kovol about the legislation. “This law honors those we’ve lost by helping save the lives of countless others."

Learn more about opioid prevention and recovery through the Alaska Department of Health: health.alaska.gov/en/education/drugs-and-alcohol/opioids-prevention-and-recovery

Learn more about the Department of Family and Community Services: dfcs.alaska.gov

📸: Thank you to the White House photographer for providing this photo.

We are so proud of the incredible work Drs. Kathi Trawver and Angelia Trujillo have accomplished together!

✨ Free professional development opportunity! ✨

Join the Advancing School Social Work in Alaska Initiative and the College of Health for an empowering session: Trauma in School-Age Children

📅 Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025
🕐 1:00 – 4:00 PM
👩‍🏫 Presenter: Tracey Eason, LMSW

This interprofessional learning activity is approved for 3 IPCE credits (ANCC, ASWB, and more). Perfect for nurses, social workers, and anyone who wants to deepen their understanding and skills in supporting children through trauma.

✅ Free registration
✅ Continuing education credits

🔗 Register now and be part of advancing trauma-informed care in Alaska’s schools: https://tinyurl.com/2e6vwyeu

✨ Free professional development opportunity! ✨

Join us for “Understanding and Responding to Bullying” with Tracey Eason, LMSW, hosted by the School of Social Work.

📅 Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025
🕐 1:00–4:00pm (AKST)
📍 Zoom

Participants will:
✅ Gain practical knowledge of what bullying looks like among school-aged children and youth
✅ Learn and practice effective interventions to address bullying behaviors
✅ Earn 3 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits

This event is open to all—educators, healthcare professionals, parents, and community members who want to make a difference.

🔗 Register today: https://tinyurl.com/3se7apn2

Our next MSW Info Session is coming up on Nov. 19!

📣 Thinking about advancing your career in social work?

Join the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Master of Social Work (MSW) Info Sessions! These sessions are held every third Wednesday of the month at 12–1 p.m. or 4–5 p.m. (AKST) via Zoom.

✅ Learn about the MSW program
✅ Get guidance on the admissions process
✅ Ask your questions live

✨ Important Deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are due January 15, 2026. Don’t miss your chance to apply!

👉 Register for an info session today and take the next step toward your MSW journey: https://tinyurl.com/4szrzer7

📣 Thinking about advancing your career in social work?

Join the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Master of Social Work (MSW) Info Sessions! These sessions are held every third Wednesday of the month at 12–1 p.m. or 4–5 p.m. (AKST) via Zoom.

✅ Learn about the MSW program
✅ Get guidance on the admissions process
✅ Ask your questions live

✨ Important Deadline: Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are due January 15, 2026. Don’t miss your chance to apply!

👉 Register for an info session today and take the next step toward your MSW journey: https://tinyurl.com/4szrzer7

Join the University of Alaska Anchorage Community & Mental Health Professional Training Center for Ethics in DSM Practice: a 3-hour interactive workshop exploring ethical decision-making in DSM practice.

📅 Monday, Nov. 17, 2025
🕘 9:00am-12:00pm AKST
📍 Online via Zoom

🔑 What you’ll gain:
• Applying DSM criteria ethically
• Navigating diagnostic dilemmas across diverse populations
• Avoiding bias and pathologization
• Using the DSM as a person-centered tool
• Case-based learning with group reflection

This training is open to anyone interested in DSM use in clinical settings.

✅ Earn 3 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits
✅ Approved for ANCC, APA, ASWB, and more
💲 Registration: $75

👉 Register now: bit.ly/CAMP_EthicsNov25

Explore mindfulness and secondary trauma in this interactive training open to all.

Led by Dr. Vanessa Meade — U.S. Army/Gulf War Veteran, former Alaska State Trooper, and UAA assistant professor — this session offers practical tools for resilience, self-care, and trauma-informed practice.

With decades of experience in mental health, justice-involved populations, and mindfulness instruction, Dr. Meade brings a powerful lens to this training, especially for those working with military, LGBTQ+, and first responder communities.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:
• Foundations of mindfulness practice
• Recognizing and responding to secondary trauma
• Tools for resilience in high-stress professions
• Strategies for self-regulation and self-care
• Case-based learning with group discussion

📅 Friday, Nov. 14
💻 Online via Zoom
⏰ 9am–12pm
💵 Cost to register: $75
✅ Earn 3 IPCE credits (ANCC, APA, ASWB approved)

This training is open to anyone interested in mindfulness, trauma-informed care, and personal resilience.

🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/CAMP_MindfulnessNov25