Mission

The DEI Task Force, formerly known as the Intercultural Working Group, was founded in 2015. The Task Force provides leadership on best practices in developing and sustaining an inclusive School of Social Service. The Task Force aims to support the mission of the National Catholic School of Social Service, which is derived from the mission of The Catholic University of America, to educate students from diverse faiths, races, and cultures who in their professional endeavors will embody the values of social justice, service, and scholarship. The DEI Task Force proactively addresses issues related to diversity, equity, culture, and social justice within the NCSSS community and in the larger society. 

Statement of Commitment to Anti-Racism Action

The National Catholic School of Social Service (NCSSS) stands in solidarity with President John Garvey and The Catholic University of America to condemn all forms of racism and oppression. We as faculty, staff, and administrative leaders, declare and affirm our commitment to anti-racist action this year and in the future. We support the work of the Sister Thea Bowman Committee which is charged with examining the University’s current practices and making recommendations to promote racial equality in all aspects of its operations. We also support promoting racial equality beyond the campus through evaluating the University’s engagement with the local communities. Our commitment to anti-racist action is also aligned with our profession’s Grand Challenge to eliminate racism.

See Social Work Grand Challenges

Quote from President John Garvey

“Racism is an affliction in our nation. We urgently need prepared individuals to lead on this issue, and to propose thoughtful ways to heal this festering wound. My hope is that those individuals will come from The Catholic University of America.”  (September 9, 2020) Letter from President Garvey.

NCSSS Action Plan

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) states that the “mission of social work is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic needs of all people, particularly those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.  We cannot maximize this mission without committing ourselves to our core professional values and advocating to reform, dismantle and abolish the racist and oppressive systems we may work in.”  NCSSS is committed to preparing professional social workers that will be leaders in the movement for racial justice and dismantling systems of oppression with the following actions:
  • Increase recruitment and retention of students from diverse backgrounds
  • Increase recruitment and retention of faculty from diverse backgrounds
  • Challenge our own racism with critical conversations and action
  • Celebrate and bring awareness to all forms of diversity by interfacing with the  university and more specifically university programs
  • Increase inclusivity and celebrations of all individuals within the NCSSS community 
  • Support diversity in curriculum development 
  • Increase collaboration with student groups on social justice and diversity issues within the school, university and in the larger society

DEI Task Force Membership Overview:

Membership consists of faculty, professional staff and students from all three academic programs.
Current members: 

  • Ms. Danielle S. Parker, Director of Online Field Education, Chairperson of DEI 
  • Dr. Laura Daughtery, Associate Professor and Chair of the BSW Program
  • Dr. Eileen Dombo, Associate Professor and Chair of the Doctoral Program
  • Dr. Michael Massey, Assistant Professor
  • Professor Randall O'Toole, Assistant Clinical Professor and Director of the Online MSW Program
  • Dr. Roslynn Scott-Adams, MSW Program Director
  • Ms. Aileen Worrell, Admissions Director and Business Manager
  • Ms. Karla Abney, MSW Student
  • Ms. Katharine Carter, PhD Student

Ex Officio: 

  • Dr. JoAnn Regan, Dean

Events

CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday. 

PAST EVENTS: 

    •  Social Workers: Essential Advocates for Social Change - March 5, 2021
    • Racial Justice Through the Clinical Lens, Dr. Leticia Villarreal Sosa, Dominican University School of Social Work, 2/12 from 5 to 630 pm
    •  Post Election Zoom Sessions: Post Election Emotional Support and What do we do now? - 11/4 from 12 to 1 and 11/6 from 5 to 6 pm
    • DEI Anti Racism Expert Series: Dr. Alan Detlaff, Dean, University of Houston: Reimagining the Child Welfare System - 11/13 from 5 to 630 pm.
    • Fall Teach-In - Trauma-Informed Care - November 8, 2019, Trauma-Informed Care Teach-In 
    • Fall Teach-In - Homelessness - October 23, 2018
    • Brown Bag Series on Faith and Social Work - Academic Year 2018-2019
    • Fall Teach-In - Anti Racism - September 21, 2017