News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Rene Abadie Date: 7/6/04   SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM GETS EIGHT-YEAR REACCREDITATION      HAMMOND --  Southeastern Louisiana University’s social work program has received an eight-year reaffirmation of its national accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).      The accreditation is the maximum duration granted by the council, which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the nation. Southeastern offers a baccalaureate social work program, which has been accredited continuously since1982.        “National accreditation is an important endorsement of any academic program,” said John Crain, Southeastern provost and vice president for academic affairs. “It is one way of obtaining independent, outside validation of program quality. We are very pleased that CSWE has recognized the quality of our social work program and its relevance to the work force needs of our area.”      Crain praised the efforts of the social work faculty, particularly that of program coordinator Heidi Kulkin, assistant professor. “They are to be commended for their hard work and dedication to student success,” he said.       Southeastern’s social work program focuses on preparing entry-level practitioners to serve in rural and small communities, said Brain Canfield, head of the department of human development, which oversees the social work program. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to deal with issues related to poverty, health care, unemployment, family problems, crime and racial discrimination. Southeastern’s nine social work faculty members are assisted by more than 20 field instructors who help evaluate students and supervise internships and field assignments.      “Accreditation approval followed an intensive site visit in February by national program evaluators and a comprehensive self-study that looked at all aspects of the program by the university’s social work faculty and administrators,” Canfield said.      The program also coordinates a major community service-learning program for social work students at Southeastern and other area universities. Called “Discovery-Southeastern Louisiana University Family Resource Project,” the program is funded by a $1.2 million grant from the Louisiana Office of Community Services. Discovery provides a wide range of services to families in a seven-parish area while serving as a valuable hands-on learning program for students working under professional guidance.