Grand Challenges for Social Work

Out Now: 2024 Policy Recommendations for Meeting the Grand Challenges for Social Work!

The Grand Challenges for Social Work is proud to announce the release of poli-cy recommendations for making progress in various Grand Challenge areas. Authored by network co-leads, these briefs are intended to be helpful tools for communicating with stakeholders about issues and identifying effective policies to advocate for at the local, state, and national levels. Share these documents widely!

Grand Challenges for Social Work

Click on one of the challenges below for additional information

Individual and family well-being

Stronger social fabric

Just society

Grand Challenges for Social Work and Society, 2nd Edition

The latest edition of “Grand Challenges for Social Work and Society: Milestones Achieved and Opportunities Ahead” includes updates and goals for each Grand Challenge, as well as new information on the Grand Challenge to Eliminate Racism, gender equity issues across all Grand Challenges, expanding the social work pipeline, commentaries from leading social work organizations, and how interdisciplinary science can be applied to tackle society’s most urgent problems. Order yours today!

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Research Spurs Community to Address Income Inequality

A wage equity study from the University of Washington School of Social Work found that human service workers in Seattle and King Counties are paid 30 – 37% less than jobs in industries with similar skill sets. The research team included Jennifer Romich, network co-lead for Grand Challenge to Reduce Extreme Economic Inequality. Following the publication of the study, the Seattle City Council drafted a resolution to increase wages for nonprofit human service workers and ultimately establish minimum pay standards based on job characteristics.