Jayhawk statue with fall leaves in the foreground

Community Engagement

The KU School of Social Welfare is committed to strengthening partnerships in Kansas, the Kansas City metro area and nationally.

Community Engagement Overview

The KU School of Social Welfare engages with communities in Kansas, the Kansas City area and beyond. Through academic programs, research, events and community resources, the school works together with community partners to address needs and solve programs.

Learn more about community engagement efforts — including practicum education, public scholarship and civic engagement — for social work students, alumni, faculty and staff, and community members.

Community Engagement Resources

Practicum Education

Practicum education is part of the curriculum for the BSW and MSW programs. The School of Social Welfare's Practicum Education Office works with over 500 affiliated practicum agencies to provide an enriching practicum experience.

A student stands by a sign for The Sexual Trauma and Abuse CARE Center, where they are doing their practicum

Center for Community Engagement & Collaboration

The Center for Community Engagement & Collaboration (CCEC) adds capacity to the School of Social Welfare's community engagement. CCEC advances our values and vision in community-university efforts at KU.

Social workers attend a continuing education event hosted by CCEC

Toni Johnson Center for Racial and Social Justice

The Toni Johnson Center promotes an educational environment engaged in racial and social justice. Through faculty scholarship, community programming and the Toni Johnson Scholars program, the center supports students, is as a catalyst for critical dialogue, and expands service, teaching, and research on race and intersectional social justice.

Toni Johnson Center for Racial and Social Justice artwork

Public Scholarship

The Center for Community Engagement & Collaboration's public scholarship work connects researchers and communities for transformative engagement with the KU School of Social Welfare's valuable research.

Professor Joonmo Kang speaks during a panel discussion at the KU Libraries

Civic Engagement

Explore civic engagement resources, including a guide to advocacy organizations and resources to support voter education, registration and participation.

Piles of "I voted" stickers

Community Engagement Events

See all events

Community Engagement Stories

School of Social Welfare alumni Marqueia Watson, Sarah Owsley and Ashley Vernon in the cafeteria of KC Beehive in Kansas City in October, 2024.

Social Welfare's road trip in Kansas City highlights importance of community-engaged work

The KU School of Social Welfare collaborated with ACOSA to visit the KC Beehive and discuss the fight to house the homeless.
Focus on 4s: Advancing Family Well-being through Data-Driven Interventions in Early Childhood Mental Health

Panel event centers around mental health of young children

On Feb. 25, Grand Challenges for Social Work panel “Focus on 4s: Advancing Family Well-Being Through Data-Driven Interventions in Early Childhood Mental Health” will be available for free on Zoom with prior registration.
Aerial view of the KU Lawrence campus

Spring research events address youth mental health, eco-social work, and occupational trauma

Three events this spring share research from the School of Social Welfare and its impact on practice and policy.
Community Care Days at the KU School of Social Welfare

Finding Community and Compassion: A look at Community Care Days at the School of Social Welfare

Each semester, a series of events aims to counter the strains of academic and personal duties.
Read Stories

Connect with CCEC

Join the Center for Community Engagement & Collaboration mailing list
Sign up to learn about upcoming events and community engagement projects.
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KU Social Work Research & Service

Learn more about research and service at the KU School of Social Welfare.
Research & Service Research & Service

Study Social Work at KU

KU's School of Social Welfare offers social work degree programs at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels: BSW, MSW, DSW and PhD. Learn more.
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