���ϲ����� has entered a partnership with the Caring Gene (CPT) to address health care workforce shortages in the hardest-hit areas of New York state, reduce barriers to career advancement and support individuals seeking to become compassionate professionals in the health care industry.

Through this partnership, eligible New York state residents and residents of certain bordering states receive full coverage of tuition, books and academic fees while pursuing education in 13 health care fields, including the program in the School of Education and the and programs in the School of Social Work.

The program, administered by the Iroquois Healthcare Association and funded by the New York State Department of Health, supports both new health care workers and current professionals seeking career advancement.

To qualify for the program, students must commit to a three-year service commitment with a health care, behavioral health or social care network provider in New York state that serves a patient population of at least 30 percent Medicaid-reliant or uninsured individuals. Additionally, students must complete their degree by spring 2027 and fulfill the service requirement by March 31, 2031.

Carrie Smith Jefferson

Visit the Caring Gene webpages for the and for more information and to apply.

Application assistance is available, and career specialists are available to help students navigate their educational options, identify the health care field that aligns with their strengths and interests, secure the financial support they need and assist students with their job search upon completion of their degree.

“Human services providers—including mental health counselors and social workers—are needed more than ever to respond to the growing demand for human services and mental health professionals,” says School of Social Work Chair and Professor . “This program provides a unique opportunity for students to fulfill their passion for helping others while alleviating part of the financial burden.”

Yanhong Liu

“We deeply value this opportunity to partner with CPT to prepare high-quality emerging social workers and clinical mental health counselors to meet critical workforce needs,” says School of Education Counseling and Counselor Education Professor . “Our award-winning faculty brings diverse research expertise and clinical experiences. Incoming students will engage in highly experiential learning and rigorous clinical training in a supportive and welcoming community.”

“���ϲ����� shares our commitment to investing in the next generation of New York state health care workers,” says Kevin M. Kerwin, Esq., acting president and CEO of Iroquois Healthcare Association. “This program is an important step toward strengthening our health care workforce and expanding access to quality care in the communities that need it most. We look forward to working with ���ϲ����� to recruit and guide candidates through the Caring Gene’s CPT program.”

Here are the eligibility requirements for the Caring Gene Career Pathways Training Program:

• Residency: A student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen residing in New York state. Applications are accepted by a student’s county of residence.
• Enrollment: Students must be enrolled or planning to enroll in an education program in one of the 13 health, behavioral health, or social care titles approved by the Caring Gene® Career Pathways Training Program. These titles include an M.S.W., Advanced Standing M.S.W., and M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
• Other Financial Assistance: A student must complete FAFSA and TAP applications and accept all grants offered through these programs.
• Service commitment: A student must commit to a three-year service requirement working for a health care, behavioral health, or social care network provider in New York state that serves a patient population that is at least 30 percent Medicaid-reliant or uninsured.
• Completion commitment: Support through the program will be provided until spring 2027, and all participants must fulfill their service commitment by March 31, 2031.

In order to be assigned a career specialist, applicants should apply at the to be considered for funding and either the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through the School of Education or the M.S.W. programs through the School of Social Work.

For assistance and additional information, contact Breana Nieves Vergara, assistant director of graduate admissions in the School of Education, at bknieves@syr.edu, or 315.443.2505; or Adrienne Renfroe, coordinator of graduate admissions in the School of Social Work, at alrenfro@syr.edu or 315.443.1443.

In appreciation of Genovese’s contributions to the field of social work, an anonymous donor made a historic gift of $300,000 to the School of Social Work to create the Genovese Scholars Program designed to attract and support exceptional residential (M.S.W.) students.

The $300,000 gift for this year will be divided among multiple high-achieving students, says School of Social Work Chair and Professor .

“The Genovese Scholars Program represents a transformative opportunity for high-achieving individuals to pursue their academic and professional aspirations in social work, regardless of their financial situation,” Smith says. “The program will seek candidates who exemplify academic excellence, human service experience and a deep passion for social work.”

Jennifer C. Genovese

The School of Social Work was founded in 1955 and opened in 1956 after the University received a major grant from the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation. In 2024, the School of Social Work was ranked by U.S. News and World Report as among the “” in the country, and its national profile will continue to rise with the prestigious scholars program created by the $300,000 gift.

The benefits to students of the Genovese Scholars Program include a substantial scholarship covering a significant portion of tuition throughout the M.S.W. program; membership in a distinguished cohort of scholars, offering networking, mentorship, and professional development opportunities; and individualized guidance from dedicated Genovese Scholar advisors.

As part of the program, Genovese Scholars will engage in at least one community service activity each semester, with advisors helping to identify opportunities aligned with their interests and goals.

“This extraordinary generosity has given us the ability to recruit and support top-tier students who are dedicated to becoming agents of change during a critical time of need,” Smith says. “We are confident that the future social workers nurtured through this program will embody the values of compassion, resilience and leadership, making a meaningful difference in countless lives.”

M.S.W. candidates can express their interest in participating in the program through an online form available on the .

Here are more details about the Genovese Scholars Program:

Eligibility: The Genovese Scholars Program is open to all residential M.S.W. applicants pursuing either the traditional or advanced standing tracks. Candidates must apply through the standard ���ϲ����� School of Social Work admissions process and express their interest in the Genovese Scholars Program through the online form or by contacting Adrienne Renfroe, LMSW, Coordinator of Graduate Admissions, Recruitment, and Student Services, School of Social Work, Office of Admissions, 268 White Hall, ���ϲ�����, NY 13244, or email alrenfro@syr.edu.

Ideal Candidate Profile: The admissions committee seeks candidates who embody the following qualities:

Academic Excellence: Demonstrated by a strong undergraduate GPA.

Human Service Experience: Proven commitment to social work or related fields through internships, volunteer work, or professional experience.

Passion for Social Work: Evident through a compelling personal statement highlighting the applicant’s dedication to the field.

Strong Recommendations: Letters from mentors, supervisors, or educators attesting to the applicant’s character and potential.

Selection Process: Genovese Scholars are selected through the standard admissions committee process, ensuring a fair and comprehensive evaluation of all applicants. This rigorous selection process ensures that only the most qualified and committed candidates are chosen.

Program Requirements: To maintain their status in the program, Genovese Scholars must:

Participate in at least one community service activity per semester. The Genovese Scholar advisor will assist in identifying suitable opportunities that align with the scholar’s interests and goals.

Maintain a high level of academic performance and uphold the values of the social work profession.

Contact Information: For more information about the Genovese Scholars Program and application details, contact Adrienne Renfroe, LMSW, Coordinator of Graduate Admissions, Recruitment, and Student Services, School of Social Work, Office of Admissions 268 White Hall, ���ϲ�����, NY 13244, or email alrenfro@syr.edu.

About the Genovese Scholars Program

The Genovese Scholars Program represents a significant investment in the next generation of social work leaders. By fostering academic excellence, community engagement, and professional development, the program aligns with the ���ϲ����� School of Social Work’s mission to prepare innovative, compassionate, and skilled social workers dedicated to serving diverse communities.

– Social media post from a client to We Rise Above The Streets founder Al-amin Muhammad

is a ���ϲ�����-based, non-profit organization that “delivers high energy messages that encourage people to live up to their full potential by breaking the cycle of homelessness and criminality,” according to its website.

In their ongoing efforts to provide essential resources to those in need in the ���ϲ����� community, students from Social Workers United (SWU) selected We Rise Above The Streets as the beneficiary of their annual donation drive that runs through March 10. SWU is comprised of students from the in the , and they’re “dedicated to fostering service projects aligned with the students’ passions,” says SWU member and graduate student Mary Claytor, a graduate assistant in the School of Social Work.

Here are the details on how you can support individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity through We Rise Above The Streets:

Needed Items (all items must be new):  Food (canned food, granola bars, chips, snacks, water bottles, brown bags, sandwich bags); hygiene products (soap, body wash, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, tampons, pads, lotions, brushes, combs, ChapStick, bandages, face wash, face lotion, baby oil, diapers); and winter essentials (hand and foot warmers, hats, gloves, socks, jackets, scarves, earmuffs, and more for men, women, and children).

Drop-off Locations: School of Social Work Suite 244 (second floor of White Hall) and donation boxes outside of each department in Falk College. Items can be dropped off through March 10.

Online Donations: For those unable to drop off donations in person or prefer to shop online, items can be purchased directly through SWU’s

Faculty and staff advisors ,��, and  advise and support SWU students as they develop service projects, but the students lead the projects.

“The students of Social Workers United continue to exemplify the core values of social work: service, social justice, human dignity, the importance of relationships, integrity and competence,” says Genovese, social work associate teaching professor and Master of Social Work Program director. “These key values drive all social workers and can be seen in action in the students of Social Workers United.”

For more information about the donation drive, please contact the School of Social Work at 315-443-5550 during regular business hours or Genovese at jgenoves@syr.edu.

U.S. News and World Report ranked the ���ϲ����� School of Social Work among the “” in the country. To learn more about the School of Social Work’s academic programs, experiential learning, and career opportunities, visit the .

The project is the first step in a plan that could possibly make such screenings available at OFAs across New York.

Early recognition of memory changes that could indicate an early stage dementia is important in order to help older adults gets the medical attention they need to avoid a crisis.

“If we are aware of early signs of memory issues, we are able to connect the individual to health care professionals who can begin appropriate treatment, while taking steps to educate and support families to improve the individual’s quality of life,” says , MD, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and chair of the Geriatrics and director of the Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease. “The ability to easily screen this segment of the population has the potential to significantly benefit both the individual and their families.”

Changes that might be caused by early dementia can include changes in memory, depression, anxiety, aggression or lack of interest, Brangman says.

Here’s how the program works: OFA case managers in the selected counties have been trained by Upstate staff to administer what is called the “Mini-Cog,” a three-minute screening tool to assess potential memory loss. The screening can be administered in an individual’s home during a routine visit by OFA staff or at the county office. OFA case managers will not make any diagnoses based on the screening results; they will only administer the screening.

If the Mini-Cog shows any sign of memory change, the individual will be referred to Upstate University Geriatricians for a comprehensive geriatric assessment.

School of Social Work Associate Research Professor Maria Brown (right) speaks with reporters following the news conference announcing the partnership between ���ϲ����� and Upstate Medical University.

To evaluate the merits of this screening approach in community settings, , Ph.D., associate research professor in ���ϲ�����’s and will analyze screening information over the yearlong project to identify the number of clients screened, number of clients with scores indicating memory changes, number of clients who receive follow-up comprehensive assessments and their diagnostic results.

“We are excited about improving the ability of OFAs to identify older adults across the Central New York region who could benefit from geriatric evaluations and connection to services to address their changing needs,” Brown says.

Officials say they expect to screen about 3,750 individuals. Based on statistical analysis, they project that about 975 of those individuals will have scores suggesting some memory concerns.

If results of the evaluation show this screening approach with OFA to be a success, Upstate will create an online training manual and companion videos for use by the New York State Office for the Aging that could be included in the training of OFA staff throughout New York. The training resource also has the potential to be used by Offices for the Aging nationwide that have similar missions, programs and staffing.

In an earlier Upstate/���ϲ����� pilot program that looked at Onondaga County residents, Brown found that over a nine-month screening phase, 18 (26%) of the 69 mostly African American adults over the age of 65 who were screened had scores suggesting cognitive impairment.

Project officials say OFAs are appropriate entities to participate in this project as they already conduct standard assessments for clients. Called COMPASS, for Comprehensive Assessment for Aging Network Community Based Long Term Care Services, this assessment addresses issues such as housing, nutrition, psycho-social status, medications, daily activities, support network and health, but it does not currently screen for memory issues.

“Early detection of a memory problem such as dementia is vital for timely medical intervention and, just as importantly, to begin connecting individuals and families to the many community-based supports available through local offices for the aging,” says , the New York state director of the .

“These offices for the aging are ideally suited to support detection efforts because of their experience assessing individuals holistically, screening for targeted areas of concern, and delivering on the services and supports necessary to help a person age in place, whether it’s case management, home adaptations, personal care supports, nutrition, or other programs. I applaud SUNY Upstate’s Department of Geriatrics and ���ϲ�����’s Aging Studies Institute for this innovative collaborative effort with offices for the aging in their region.”

It’s noteworthy that Upstate and ���ϲ����� have joined forces to address this issue. The Upstate/���ϲ����� collaboration leverages significant resources and expertise on aging issues. Upstate is home to a Department of Geriatrics and a state (CEAD). CEAD currently has a staff that includes geriatricians who work in conjunction with geriatric nurse practitioners, social workers, and nurses with expertise in geriatrics. Social workers provide caregiver support with a particular emphasis on older adults at risk, especially those who live alone or with frail caregivers.

���ϲ����� is home to the Aging Studies Institute, which includes dozens of faculty working on age-related research and education issues, including age-based public policy; the causes and consequences of population aging; health and functioning across the life course; family, care work, and intergenerational support; and aging design, engineering, and technology.

Funding for the Upstate/���ϲ����� collaboration was made possible by the and the .

“The Health Foundation is proud to support this important initiative as part of our ongoing work on behalf of older adults,” says , Ph.D., president of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York. “This program will break down barriers to bring earlier screening for memory issues to more people, meaning they’ll have the resources and treatments they need and deserve. Because those barriers to access often occur in communities of color or among people with lower incomes, this is a crucial health equity effort as well.”

Members of the Social Workers United (SWU) student group from Falk College are collecting school supplies for children in Liberia. From left to right, SWU members Carina St. Andrews, Benetta Dousuah, Gideon Casper and Mary Claytor.

The West African nation of Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Seven out of 10 children live in extreme poverty and the educational system has faced many challenges, including a lack of learning materials and school supplies.

Benetta Dousuah

Benetta Dousuah, a graduate student in the in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at ���ϲ�����, is well aware of the hardships experienced by Liberian families. Dousuah’s family escaped from Liberia during back-to-back civil wars that ravaged the nation between 1989 and 2003, and it took almost a decade at a refugee camp in Ghana before they could immigrate to the United States.

Dousuah is a member of the Social Workers United (SWU) student group from , and she asked the organization to help her with a drive to collect school supplies for children in Liberia.

“Donating school supplies to children in Liberia is an impactful gesture that resonates deeply with me,” Dousuah says. “As someone who fled Liberia during the civil war and found refuge in the United States, I understand firsthand the transformative power of access to education.”

The drive is underway through July 15, and SWU is asking for donations of school supplies: pens, pencils, paper, folders, binders, crayons, backpacks, glue, tape, calculators, sporting goods and scissors. Donations can be dropped off in the School of Social Work Suite 244H in Falk College’s White Hall, or made through SWU’s .

The enduring memories of U.S. Army soldiers providing humanitarian aid in her homeland influenced Dousuah’s decision to . She served as a U.S. Army unit supply specialist–a crucial role in the logistical backbone supporting the U.S. military’s global presence–and the units often play a vital role in humanitarian operations.

“My family’s journey from a refugee camp in Ghana to the United States was made possible by the generosity of others, inspiring me to give back,” Dousuah says. “The school supplies–which will be donated to Victory International Christian School System, Paynesville Harvest Christian Academy and Pamela Kay High School–will directly enrich the educational experiences of countless children. These supplies, ranging from backpacks to writing materials, hold the potential to empower Liberian students and enhance their learning environments.”

Faculty and staff advisors , �����Ի� advise and support SWU students as they develop service projects, but the students lead the projects.

“Being involved in this donation drive is truly remarkable,” says SWU President Mary Claytor, a graduate assistant in the School of Social Work. “SWU is dedicated to fostering service projects aligned with students’ passions, and Benetta’s contribution exemplifies the limitless potential of our initiatives.”

This the third donation drive organized by SWU this year, following the in the fall and in the spring. It’s the first international drive facilitated by SWU.

Social Workers United students Carina St. Andrews (left) and Gideon Casper are asking members of the campus community to donate school supplies for children in Liberia.

“The students of Social Workers United continue to exemplify the core values of social work: service, social justice, human dignity, the importance of relationships, integrity and competence,” says Genovese, social work associate teaching professor and Master of Social Work Program director. “These key values drive all social workers and can be seen in action in the students of Social Workers United.”

Genovese and Dousuah say it’ll take about three months for the school supplies to reach Liberia by boat, so they’ll be shipped by the end of July to ensure delivery during the school year.

“Personally, I plan to visit Liberia in December to distribute the supplies myself, allowing me to witness firsthand the impact of our collective contribution,” Dousuah says. “By supporting education in Liberia, we are investing in the future of these children and fostering global education equity.

“Together,” Dousuah adds, “we can make a difference in the lives of Liberian students, providing them with the tools they need to build brighter futures.”

U.S. News and World Report has ranked the ���ϲ����� School of Social Work among the  in the country. To learn more about the School of Social Work’s academic programs, experiential learning, and career opportunities, visit the .

School of Social Work Professor Eric Kingson (left) and Chair Carrie Smith present Jim Stone with an award for his dedication to the annual Legislative Policy Day event.

When Jim Stone started his first year at ���ϲ����� in 1958, he had every intention of following in his parents’ footsteps and becoming a teacher.

In his junior year in the University’s School of Education, Stone was required to spend one afternoon a week working with children at a local school or agency and he selected the . That decision started Stone on a career path that led to a long and distinguished career as a social worker and as a member of the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics . “I really liked that work (at Hillbrook) and, long story short, I decided I wasn’t going to be a teacher, I was going to be a social worker, much to the dismay of my mom and dad, who were both teachers,” says Stone, a ���ϲ����� native who graduated from ���ϲ����� in 1962 and received his master of social work degree in 1964.

Stone’s first field placement as a social work student was with the New York State Division of Youth. His early career was in the juvenile justice system as Onondaga County director of Detention Care and with the state Division of Youth in positions ranging from director of community-based programs to superintendent of the largest training school in the state. He then moved into the mental health field as chief of service in two New York State Office of Mental Health psychiatric centers, and as director of community services for Livingston and Monroe counties. He served as New York State’s Commissioner of Mental Health from 1995-2003 and entered the federal Senior Executive Service until his retirement in 2009. “The marvelous thing about social work personally is that it gave me fabulous opportunities,” says Stone, who now lives in Albany. “I never went to the School of Social Work thinking I’d be the state Commissioner of Mental Health or working for the federal government as director of behavioral health for Indian Health Service.”

But even before he started his social work career, Stone displayed the traits that made him such a respected social worker. After earning his degree, he spent one year as a teacher in the Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District near ���ϲ����� because he had initially received scholarship money toward becoming a teacher. “Nothing bad would have happened if I didn’t accept (the teaching position), but my conscious would have bothered me,” Stone says. “So, I taught for a year, and I had the good fortune of meeting a fellow teacher, Joan Borzelle G’67, and we got married and had three wonderful boys.”

Legislative Policy Day

At Falk College, Stone recently retired after more than 30 years as a volunteer with the School of Social Work Board of Visitors, which evolved into the Falk College Advisory Board when the and other departments joined to create . On April 12, Stone was bestowed with the title of Emeritus Board Member, and Falk Assistant Dean for Advancement says Stone will continue to be invited to ���ϲ����� and Falk College events and remain available as a sounding board for other board members. “There is no one more deserving of emeritus board member recognition than Jim Stone, and we are forever grateful for his service,” Myers says. “For more than 30 years–even before Falk College was created–Jim has provided leadership and mentorship to our social work students and faculty. His philanthropy and dedication to educating future social work students can be seen every year with the James L. Stone Legislative Policy Day.”

Legislative Policy Day provides School of Social Work undergraduate and graduate students a unique opportunity to witness the real-life involvement of leaders who are actively involved in shaping policies that address an important social issue.

Named after Stone because of his personal and financial support of the event, Legislative Policy Day is an important component of the Social Work curriculum. Held annually at the Onondaga County Courthouse in downtown ���ϲ�����, the event provides Social Work undergraduate and graduate students a unique opportunity to witness the real-life involvement of community leaders, citizen organizations, politicians, and social workers who are actively involved in shaping policies that address an important social issue.

This year marked the 25th Legislative Policy Day and the April 12 event focused on “Social Security Across Generations.” That topic was a fitting tribute to retiring School of Social Work Professor and national Social Security expert , who has worked closely with Stone over the years to build Legislative Policy Day into a signature event for the School of Social Work. “I’ve always been interested in the Legislature and the legislative process, but I had to teach myself about it and Legislative Day gives students a good perspective on what’s out there and how to make connections,” Stone says. “I feel really good about it because the students are getting something out of it. The speakers get something out it, too, because they’re getting a perspective from the students’ point of view.”

This year’s event started with James T. Rowley, chair of the Onondaga County Legislature, describing how the Legislature works and how citizens, community leaders, social workers and other professionals can effectively address county issues and related legislation. That introduction was followed by panel discussions with guest speakers focusing on various perspectives related to social work, including the strategies and efforts of national and local organizations and advocates who work to protect and expand Social Security. “Social workers have a professional responsibility to advance social justice by working to address systemic inequities and strengthen health and human services that individuals, families and communities rely upon,” Kingson says. “Through their practice, they have direct experience with numerous social concerns This event is designed to encourage them to use that knowledge and reinforce how important it is for social workers to be engaged in policy and community change.”

Providing Support

“There is no one more deserving of emeritus board member recognition than Jim Stone, and we are forever grateful for his service,” says Falk College Assistant Dean for Advancement Megan Myers.

During this year’s Legislative Policy Day, Kingson and School of Social Work Professor and Chair presented Stone with an award for his dedication to the annual event. They thanked him for his contributions and, as Kingson said, “we’re all here because of Jim.”

“I’m grateful that over the years, Jim has become a friend,” Kingson says. “He has been very positive and helpful, including making contacts (with guest speakers) for us on some of the legislative days that focused very closely on his areas of knowledge, including mental health.”

In addition to Stone, Kingson and Smith presented an award to the members of the County Legislature and their staff for their support over the years.

“Over the 25 years we’ve held Legislative Policy Day conferences at the County Legislature, we’ve never been charged for use of the county’s historic Legislative Chambers and members and staff have always been very welcoming,” Kingson says. “Each chair of the Legislature has been introduced and presented to the students. It’s a perfect opportunity to educate students about how citizens, advocates, politicians and other professionals engage in policy and community change..”

As they head into their respective retirements, Stone and Kingson will remain connected to the School of Social Work and committed to helping with future Legislative Policy Days as the event grows and evolves.

Most of all, Stone and Kingson remain optimistic about the future of the social work profession and they’re confident that the students who have attended Legislative Policy Day over the years will continue working to create social and economic justice in a diverse and rapidly changing world. “There’s only one direction for it to go, and it is going in that direction,” Stone says. “It has to be there for people. These are particularly difficult times, it seems to me, and people need a lot of support and social work is a profession that can provide that kind of support.”

U.S. News and World Report has ranked the ���ϲ����� School of Social Work among the “” in the country. To learn more about the School of Social Work’s academic programs, experiential learning and career opportunities, visit the .