USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Join us for an exciting opportunity to support the SDP-Keck Human Rights Clinic's mission of providing pro-bono psychological evaluations for asylum seekers and those seeking humanitarian relief. Must be an LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, PMHNP, Psychologist or Psychiatrist licensed in California.

Next information session is Wednesday, August 19 at 9:30am PT. Register or find additional dates here: https://tinyurl.com/muwxcm76

Associate Teaching Professor Susan Hess writes blog about the most important lesson she learned in Israel: how to listen. Read the blog: https://tinyurl.com/5dvt3wyf

Dean Laura Abrams featured by the Society for Social Work and Research.

Congratulations to SSWR member and Fellow Dr. Laura Abrams, who has joined the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work as dean and the David Lawrence Stein/Violet Goldberg Sachs Professor of Mental Health.

A nationally recognized scholar, educator, and leader, Dean Abrams has spent more than 30 years documenting and improving the well-being of incarcerated youth and young adults. Her research focuses on identity development, reentry, racial justice, and policies that promote alternatives to incarceration.

In her new role, Dean Abrams plans to advance innovation in social work education and research, strengthen community connections, and explore how technology can be used ethically to benefit individuals and communities.

SSWR congratulates Dean Abrams on this exciting new chapter!

Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/3ds8kkb8

Results of the 2026 Annual Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count were released today, showing a 1.2% increase to an estimated 73,040 people in Los Angeles County, and a 3.4% increase to 45,194 people in the City of Los Angeles. Neither change is deemed statistically significant.

Since 2017, the Center for Homelessness, Housing and Health Equity Research (USC H3E) at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work has collaborated with Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority on the design, implementation, and analysis of the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count. USC H3E leads the survey data collection and final statistical analysis, in collaboration with UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and Young People to the Front. Find complete information about this year’s results here: LAHSA.org/homeless-count/

Professor Ben Henwood joined Larry Mantle on public radio show AirTalk to discuss what we can rethink about state and local policies surrounding homelessness, what strategies are working and if there is a way to improve the pace of progress. Listen or read: https://tinyurl.com/bdzkphcv

The Research for Social Change Seminar Series features presentations on a research topic that impacts social change and are available for anyone to view. In this video from earlier this year, PhD student Liv Canning shares research on mediating pathways from potentially morally injurious events to PTSD. Watch the full recorded seminar here: https://tinyurl.com/3cuabp6e

Sara Kintzle, research professor in the USC Military and Veterans Programs - MVP at was part of the committee behind a new congressionally mandated report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that makes recommendations to improve the disability evaluation process for military s*xual trauma.

Approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 50 men report having experienced s*xual trauma during their service in the military and many survivors experience related health problems, but can experience challenges pursuing disability benefits. This report makes significant new recommendations to both Congress and the VA. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/yd4pbrjp