USC CIR – military social work

Dept. of Defense grant to explore technology’s role in preparing military social workers

by Claudia Bustamante

As the mental health needs continue to grow for greater numbers of service members and veterans returning to communities, researchers at the University of Southern California are studying how to use the latest in technological advancements to prepare behavioral health providers to effectively treat these military-impacted populations.

The Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans & Military Families (CIR) at the USC School of Social Work received a $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to study whether technology—i.e., 3-D avatar animation and mobile apps—is effective at training graduate students and professional clinicians and therapists.

The three-year study will […]

Annual gift that comes from the heart

By Maya Meinert

As a child, Chuck Spielman would listen to his father’s friends tell stories of their experiences in World War II, enthralled by the men’s tales of everything from traveling through Europe to living on the frontlines.

“I was fascinated by the age of 5,” he said. “The stories of men and women who would leave civilian life willingly and fight for their countries fascinated me.”

This interest turned out to be lifelong, following him through high school — where his World War II colonel-turned-social studies teacher passed around rocks from the beaches of Normandy — and college. Spielman has now […]

military social work

Dept. of Defense grant to explore technology’s role in preparing military social workers

Grants, Research

Dept. of Defense grant to explore technology’s role in preparing military social workers

Annual gift that comes from the heart