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Recent News

McClendon Receives Andrew Young Award

McClendon Receives Andrew Young Award
For her work, Dr. Gena Gunn McClendon has been honored with the Ambassador Andrew J. Young Award for Outstanding Ethics, Service, and Commitment to Family and Community.

Friedman: Spark Prosperity for Everyone to Close the Racial Wealth Gap

Friedman: Spark Prosperity for Everyone to Close the Racial Wealth Gap
Robert E. Friedman believes we can close the racial wealth divide in a generation. “I believe in the promise of this country … and in this community. St. Louis has become a symbol to the country of the results of racial inequity, and I think it’s leading the way to close the racial wealth divide, and to let America live up to its ideals.”

Sawhill: Big-Impact Research, Data Access Needed to Help Working Class

Sawhill: Big-Impact Research, Data Access Needed to Help Working Class
Isabel Sawhill thinks too many researchers are more interested in publishing papers than making sure their work has major impact. “An awful lot of researchers are not asking the right questions,” says Sawhill, Senior Fellow, Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution. “We need to push scholars to do more research on big questions.”

In St. Louis, Differences in Voting Conditions by Race, Income

In St. Louis, Differences in Voting Conditions by Race, Income
Research from the Center for Social Development shows that where voters live can influence their ability to vote. “In volunteering at the polls, I noticed that equipment malfunctions and other issues seemed relatively common at some sites, explained Gena Gunn McClendon, director of CSD’s Voter Access and Engagement initiative and a co-author of “Will I […]

Second Voter Engagement Summit Brings Leaders to the Brown School

Second Voter Engagement Summit Brings Leaders to the Brown School
On September 12 at the Brown School, representatives from regional universities, Missouri and Illinois election board members and community organizations convened for the second Campus and Community Voter Engagement Summit. “The summit presented opportunities for key stakeholders to have a dialogue about the significance of strategies that promote student participation in voting and the importance […]

Illinois Approves Child Development Accounts for All Newborns

Illinois Approves Child Development Accounts for All Newborns
Illinois became the most recent state in the U.S. to adopt universal Child Development Accounts on August 23, when Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation to open a 529 college savings plan account with deposits for every child born or adopted in Illinois after Dec. 31, 2020.

Rigged: Second Screening Brings Voter Suppression Discussion to the Community

Rigged: Second Screening Brings Voter Suppression Discussion to the Community
Awareness about voter suppression is gaining momentum, in part through screenings of “Rigged: The Voter Suppression Playbook.” Building on a positive response to the first screening on Washington University’s campus, the Center for Social Development’s Voter Access and Engagement (VAE) project collaborated with community partners to host a second screening on August 3, 2019 at […]

CSD Event: Film Explores the Fleecing of Voters’ Rights

CSD Event: Film Explores the Fleecing of Voters’ Rights
More than 100 guests turned out Wednesday afternoon for a screening of the documentary “Rigged: The Voter Suppression Playbook.” “Voter suppression is wrong, and it’s real,” Mac Heller, the documentary’s executive producer, said before the show. The event at the Brown School was a joint effort between the Voter Access and Engagement (VAE) initiative and […]

New Research Institute Explores the Intersection of Social Work and Criminal Justice at FSU

New Research Institute Explores the Intersection of Social Work and Criminal Justice at FSU
FSU has launched a new research institute aimed at advancing science, policy and practice to improve the well-being of individuals, families and communities impacted by the criminal justice system. The Institute for Justice Research and Development was founded and is directed by Carrie Pettus-Davis, Associate Professor at FSU and CSD Faculty Director of the Smart Decarceration Initiative.

Doctoral Candidate Receives Grants to Study Racism-Based Trauma

Doctoral Candidate Receives Grants to Study Racism-Based Trauma
Robert Motley Jr., manager of the Center for Social Development’s Race and Opportunity Lab, has received a two-year $60,936 grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and a $5,000 grant from the Fahs-Beck Fund for Research and Experimentation.

Scholars gather for ‘Race at the Forefront,’ CRISMA’s inaugural conference

Scholars gather for ‘Race at the Forefront,’ CRISMA’s inaugural conference
More than 225 people from various parts of the country gathered at the Brown School for the Collaboration on Race, Inequality, and Social Mobility in America’s inaugural conference March 28-29. The event, entitled “Race at the Forefront: Sharpening a Focus on Race in Applied Research,” brought together scholars who are working toward the elimination of […]

Azerbaijan ministry recognizes student for development of social work

Azerbaijan ministry recognizes student for development of social work
Brown School doctoral student Aytakin Huseynli has received a national award in recognition of her contribution to the development of social work in Azerbaijan, her home country. The Ministry of Women, Family and Children Affairs in Azerbaijan gave her the award on March 7. Or, rather, the ministry presented it to her mother in Aytakin’s […]

Special issue highlights Child Development Accounts globally

Special issue highlights Child Development Accounts globally
Child Development Accounts take center stage in a newly released special issue of the Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development. The sweeping, seven-article issue shows the global context of the emerging asset-building policy. “Many countries are exploring new policy innovations that encourage asset building,” said Michael Sherraden, who co-edited the issue and co-authored […]

Sherraden to speak in D.C. about potential for U.S. kids to build assets

Sherraden to speak in D.C. about potential for U.S. kids to build assets
Michael Sherraden will discuss potential federal policy for inclusive and progressive Child Development Accounts (CDAs), so that all U.S. children can accumulate assets, on March 20 at the National Press Club, in Washington, D.C. Several states have already enacted statewide CDA policies, and a nationwide policy is possible. Sherraden is the George Warren Brown Distinguished […]

CSD begins third phase of research on Child Development Accounts

CSD begins third phase of research on Child Development Accounts
With financial support from philanthropists, the Center for Social Development is conducting a third wave of research on Child Development Accounts (CDAs) in the Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan. Wave 3 of the SEED for Oklahoma Kids (SEED OK) experiment expands the original CDA with an automatic, progressive deposit and extends the research to examine […]

‘People and Climate Change’ opens for orders

‘People and Climate Change’ opens for orders
The new book “People and Climate Change: Vulnerability, Adaptation, and Social Justice” now may be ordered in advance of its April 1 release. Edited by Lisa Reyes Mason and Jonathan Rigg, the 256-page book explores how climate change threatens the well-being, livelihood and survival of people in communities worldwide.

My Brother’s Keeper Alliance embraces HomeGrown STL

My Brother’s Keeper Alliance embraces HomeGrown STL
Inspired by HomeGrown STL’s “strong track record of working to improve life outcomes for boys and young men of color,” the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance has named HomeGrown STL a “Community to Watch.”

Review praises ‘Facing Segregation’ for offering solutions

Review praises ‘Facing Segregation’ for offering solutions
The editors of “Facing Segregation: Housing Policy Solutions for a Stronger Society” have compiled a collection of essays that “lay out the reality that segregation is not a periphery problem for cities like St. Louis or for the country,” according to a book review in the St. Louis American.

Released today: ‘Facing Segregation’ focuses on housing policy solutions

Released today: ‘Facing Segregation’ focuses on housing policy solutions
Fifty years after the passage of the Fair Housing and Civil Rights Acts, a new book ̶ “Facing Segregation: Housing Policy Solutions for a Stronger Society” brings together influential scholars, practitioners and policy analysts to reflect on how to use public policy to reduce segregation.

Achieving financial capability for all: What will it take?

Achieving financial capability for all: What will it take?
Millions of families in the United States are financially unstable, and they have few places to turn for guidance and support. Margaret Sherraden hopes to change that by marshalling a largely overlooked resource: The professionals at thousands of community-based organizations who deliver services to low-income people.

CSD advises Azerbaijan officials on Child Development Account policy

CSD advises Azerbaijan officials on Child Development Account policy
The Azerbaijan Minister of Labor and Social Protection Sahil Babayev and Social Policy and Services Department Head Himalay Mamishov met with Center for Social Development Director Michael Sherraden, International Director Li Zou and Research Associate Aytakin Huseynli.

Sherraden speaks about the future of social work in China

Sherraden speaks about the future of social work in China
Center for Social Development Director Michael Sherraden and International Director Li Zou represented Washington University in St. Louis during a conference on “The 30th Anniversary of the Re-establishment of Social Work in China.”

‘We need a lot of different things happening to address climate change’

‘We need a lot of different things happening to address climate change’
​Soon after a landmark report from the United Nations’ scientific panel on climate change came out in October, Lisa Reyes Mason, Center for Social Development faculty director for Environment and Social Development, wrote an opinion piece and spoke on television about what people can do.

As Election Day approaches, CSD hosts Election Protection training

As Election Day approaches, CSD hosts Election Protection training
​About 50 people participated in Election Protection training on October 23 at the Brown School. Denise Lieberman, senior attorney and co-program director for the Voter Protection Program at the Advancement Project, led the nonpartisan training to prepare volunteers for the November 6 election. She also updated them on a new change in Missouri election law. […]

CSD experts spread financial capability concepts in China

CSD experts spread financial capability concepts in China
The article is the first in Chinese to describe U.S. social workers’ growing view about the importance of policy changes and institutional arrangements for financial inclusion and capability, and to emphasize the unique role of social workers in achieving this goal.

Series seeks to change narrative for local black males

Series seeks to change narrative for local black males
HomeGrown STL Director Sean Joe and St. Louis American Managing Editor Chris King have teamed up to produce a yearlong series called “Homegrown Black Males” to change the narrative for local black teens and men.

Prime minister speaks at launch of book on asset building policies

Prime minister speaks at launch of book on asset building policies
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke at the August 24 launch of the book “Critical Issues in Asset Building in Singapore’s Development.” Professors S. Vasoo and Bilveer Singh at the National University of Singapore (NUS) edited the book. The lead chapter is by Michael Sherraden, director of the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis. 

CSD sponsors voter engagement summit

CSD sponsors voter engagement summit
Representatives from St. Louis universities and community organizations gathered for the first Campus and Community Voter Engagement Summit, on August 9 at the Brown School.

Forum focuses on expanding access to 529 college savings plans

Forum focuses on expanding access to 529 college savings plans
More than 65 invited guests from 18 states and the District of Columbia attended a lively Child Development Account Forum in late July at the Brown School of Social Work. CSD and Missouri State Treasurer Eric Schmitt, who oversees Missouri’s 529 college savings plan, hosted the event.

Global report focuses on volunteerism and community resilience

Global report focuses on volunteerism and community resilience
​Volunteers tie communities together because they are active in every major shock and stress communities experience, from earthquakes and flooding to climate change and local conflicts, finds the new 2018 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report.

Pennsylvania adopts universal Child Development Account policy

Pennsylvania adopts universal Child Development Account policy
With bipartisan support, Pennsylvania is launching a statewide policy to provide college savings accounts for all newborns with a $100 scholarship grant. The universal, automatic-enrollment Child Development Account policy will affect many families: Pennsylvania averages 140,000 births a year.

Taiwan adopts a Child Development Account policy

Taiwan adopts a Child Development Account policy
A national Child Development Account policy is emerging in Taiwan. President Tsai Ing-wen in June signed into law the Act on Savings Accounts for the Education and Development of Children and Teenagers.

New: A guide to tax-time financial capability efforts

New: A guide to tax-time financial capability efforts
“A Toolkit for Expanding Financial Capability at Tax Time” is now available and free to download. The 70-page book presents the current evidence underpinning various tax-time efforts to expand financial capability among low- and moderate-income households.

Prison reform ‘unites people from across the political spectrum’

Prison reform ‘unites people from across the political spectrum’
The White House hosted a high-profile summit meeting on federal prison reform on May 18, and Carrie Pettus-Davis, who helped to organize it, sat among cabinet members. The summit “was a message to the world that the United States is ready to change how it does incarceration,” she says.

New textbook focuses on financially vulnerable families

New textbook focuses on financially vulnerable families
The first textbook to focus on financially vulnerable households is now available from Oxford University Press. “Financial Capability and Asset Building in Vulnerable Households: Theory and Practice” teaches about financial capability and asset building through the stories of four families whose lives unfold over 23 chapters.

Webinars showcase Grand Challenges leadership

Webinars showcase Grand Challenges leadership
Our faculty and staff are committed to advancing racial equity, and one of the most important vehicles is the national Grand Challenges for Social Work. We’ve created four webinars to highlight this initiative.

On the agenda: How to advance Child Development Accounts

On the agenda: How to advance Child Development Accounts
​About 50 researchers, practitioners, policymakers and funders met this month in Washington, D.C., to discuss how to advance the field of Child Development Account programs by making them sustainable and scaleable to reach millions.

Forum focuses on financial capability for vulnerable families

Forum focuses on financial capability for vulnerable families
​​To celebrate Financial Capability Month, the Center for Social Development and the Center for Household Financial Stability at the St. Louis Federal Reserve convened a forum, “Coin a Better Future: Reaching Out to Financially Vulnerable Families.”

Lough recognized with International Achievement award

Lough recognized with International Achievement award
Benjamin J. Lough, faculty director of International Service, received the Sheth Distinguished Faculty Award for International Achievement from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Illinois International Programs.

New FCAB book coming in February

New FCAB book coming in February
A new book about financial capability and asset building will be released next month. The 144-page book — “Financial Capability and Asset Building with Diverse Populations: Improving Financial Well-being in Families and Communities” — is aimed at policymakers, researchers and practitioners who assist financially vulnerable people.

Michael Sherraden: We already have ‘baby bonds’

Michael Sherraden: We already have ‘baby bonds’
As economists float the proposal to give every newborn in the United States a “baby bond” account with between $500 to $50,000 in cash, Michael Sherraden, director of the Center for Social Development, says a solution already exists — Child Development Accounts.

Sherraden receives career award for social policy research

Sherraden receives career award for social policy research
Michael Sherraden, PhD, received the Society for Social Work and Research’s 2018 Social Policy Researcher Award, which is “in recognition of Dr. Sherraden’s record of accomplishment that demonstrates distinguished achievement across an extended career of research in social policy.”

Student spotlight: From policing to policy work

Student spotlight: From policing to policy work
Luther Tyus, an ex-police officer, is now a graduate research assistant with our Race and Opportunity Lab. “I got here,” he says of the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, “and it feels like the world opened up.”

HomeGrown STL nearing action ‘on the ground’ for black males

HomeGrown STL nearing action ‘on the ground’ for black males
​HomeGrown STL is close to putting its strategy for collective impact to work in St. Louis. The project, part of the Center for Social Development’s Race and Opportunity Lab, aims to support the social mobility of black boys and men between the ages of 12 and 29 in St. Louis City and County.

CSD colleague launches global research center at UNC

CSD colleague launches global research center at UNC
The Global Social Development Innovations research center will focus on developing community-driven initiatives that address economic security, workforce development, financial inclusion, social protection, health and education.