Department of Family Studies and Community Development
News
Family Studies student receives undergraduate research project award
Raven Wilson, a Family and Human Services major in the Department of Family Studies and Community Development, has received funding from the Towson University Office of Undergraduate Research. The funds will help her complete her independent research project entitled, "Domestic Violence Resources for Women in Baltimore County, Maryland: A Needs Assessment."
There are several foci of this needs assessment including estimating the extent of the problem of domestic violence in Baltimore County, identifying the range of available resources for women seeking support for domestic violence issues and identifying gaps in existing services. This project is being supported by the Baltimore County Commission for Women, whose mission is to identify and advocate for programs, legislation and services to best meet the needs of women in Baltimore County. Upon completion of the data collection, Raven will write a report and give a presentation to the Commission.
Kaiser Health News publishes two articles about Child Life Specialists
Kaiser Health News recently published two articles by Jenny Gold which discuss the valuable work being done by child life specialists at Children's National Medical Center in Washington D.C.
Child life specialists help children cope with stressful medical experiences. By providing appropriate services and promoting family-centered care, they attend to the emotional and developmental needs of children and their families. The Towson University Department of Family Studies and Community Development offers an undergraduate Introduction to Child Life track, which prepares students who want to become Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS).
The department also offers the only child life graduate program in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware or the District of Columbia. Beginning in 2013, a new Child Life B.S. to M.S. program is being added by the department.
The 6th Annual Disability Awareness Workshop, sponsored by the Department of Family Studies and Community Development in partnership with Disability Support Services, was held on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 from 3 pm - 6 pm in the University Union Chesapeake Rooms. Almost 300 Towson University students attended the workshop which was titled "Just As Real: Reducing the Stigma of Hidden Disabilities." Colleen Coffey, a member of the Active Minds Speakers Bureau, was the keynote speaker. Active Minds is a nonprofit whose mission is "To destigmatize mental health disorders by promoting open, enlightened discussion of mental health; and to create a better life for all who suffer. To capitalize on the energy and dedication of young adults in the fight against the stigma that surrounds mental health disorders, and to educate, enlighten, and empower all young adults to ensure their own mental health before it ever reaches a tragic stage."
There are over 350 chapters of Active Minds on college campuses around the nation, including Towson University.
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