The need for skilled social workers continues to grow, and strengthening our resources, research and support for students is vital to accomplish change.
The University of Alabama School of Social Work is the state’s leader in providing child welfare education, training and resources for students and professionals. The school houses the Alabama Higher Education Consortium for Child Welfare, the state Title IV-E program and the Youth Services Institute.
But, to help stem the recent spikes in child victimization and maltreatment in Alabama, the School needs to strengthen its existing resources and research for child-welfare related issues.
Additionally, increased support of these initiatives is vital to support students who aspire to work in child welfare. This support empowers students like Destiny McFall, a Master of Social Work (MSW) student who knows firsthand the impact social workers can have for children in foster care.
Destiny was just 10 years old when her father passed away. Her social worker at the time, Pam, delivered the news to Destiny and her foster family. This visit would be Destiny’s last in nearly two years of Pam serving as her case manager, but Pam’s support and influence still resonates.
“It sounds silly, but the fact that [Pam] came out to our house to talk me through that meant a lot,” Destiny said. “I always felt a real connection with her, and I always looked up to her. That’s when I knew social work was what I wanted to do.”
Destiny earned her Bachelor of Social Work at UA in the spring of 2020 and completed her MSW in Spring 2021. She completed her MSW field placement virtually at the Child Welfare League of America, where she helped analyze child welfare policy and assisted in trainings for foster care and adoption agencies.
Destiny’s academic career in the School of Social Work has been buoyed by alumni support, as she’s a two-time recipient of the Board of Friends Scholarship. She said she’s overwhelmed by alumni’s generosity to support students.
“Knowing our alumni have set aside their money to support my dreams after hearing my story and feeling compelled to support my education means more than the world to me,” she said. “And to know our alumni will be the driving force in funding and supporting future child welfare social workers will mean the world to Alabama’s children.”
Destiny largely credits the school’s faculty for providing the academic and career guidance and personal relationships needed for her to successfully complete her degrees.
Destiny’s connection to the School of Social Work began before she ever enrolled or officially toured campus. While in high school, she participated in the National Social Work Enrichment Program (NSEP), a nonprofit organization that partners with state agencies and universities to promote social work as a potential career for foster youth. Being an NSEP scholar would ultimately lead her to UA and the School of Social Work and help her reconnect with her “Tuscaloosa mom,” Dr. Sebrena Jackson, MSW program coordinator for the school and co-founder of NSEP.
“I still go to Dr. Jackson for advice and encouragement,” Destiny said. “She and her husband (Ronnie) are wonderful.”
Students like Destiny who aspire to work with at-risk youth look to the state’s flagship institution for unrivaled resources, influential mentors and extraordinary education. Expanding scholarships for these students will not only place more child welfare social workers in the pipeline, but this investment will advance the skills and innovation needed to serve Alabama’s at-risk children.