Fall 2017 - Winter 2018 MSU School of Social Work Newsletter MSU-Social-Work-2017-2018-Newsletter | Page 10

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS Veterinary Social Work Services grows its hours and resources for greater self-care T his year has been one of evolution, coverage, we are now hosting monthly growth, and a focused awareness self-care events for anyone working campaign for Veterinary Social Work within the VMC. Activities have Services (VSWS) within the Veterinary included creating DIY stress balls and Medical Center (VMC). VSWS expanded other make-and-take relaxation tools, its vision and identified increased access massage therapy, coloring sessions, to services as one of the primary goals this a build-your-own-trail mix bar for year. With a full-time Veterinary Social nutritional self-care, as well as DIY Work Services coordinator aromatherapy rice packs. on board since January, a Each MSW intern was tasked part-time social worker, with identifying an aspect of and multiple MSW interns, self-care, researching effective services have increased interventions, and planning and significantly. The VMC now executing an event within their has VSWS coverage most intern team. Feedback has been days and evenings of the excellent, with most participants work week as well as some asking that events occur more weekend coverage. often. Event attendance has ranged “I think you guys are doing a tremendous An additional goal for this from 41 to over 207, and the trend job! I really like these sessions!” year has been normalizing the of participation has increased the “Thank you! For taking care of us all!” need for regular self-care and more events we host, which is wellness within the high- exciting! stress occupation of veterinary medicine. Wellness sessions The VSWS coordinator is Megan Spedoske, spedosk6@ have occurred occasionally over the years, but with increased msu.edu. O 10 FAME expands financial support through new summer scholarships vulnerable students ver the past in achieving Spartan year, FAME has success. been working Thanks to generous gifts to strengthen and of supportive alumni, expand the supportive FAME has developed network on campus a summer scholarship for MSU students who fund for active FAME have experienced foster students. While, many care, kinship care, or FAME students have homelessness. To that received financial aid end, FAME staffers have and grants from the been working to increase PHOTO CREDIT: JACKIE BELDEN HAWTHORNE University, those funds campus knowledge have been time-limited and not available during the summer about the needs of FAME students and services provided by session. The availability of summer financial aid allows FAME FAME as well as inviting new campus champions to join its students to remain on track toward degree attainment and network. continue progressing without interruption in their program. After conducting a Campus Champion network meeting Through this newly established fund, FAME was able to and individual follow-up meetings, FAME was successful in provide $35,000 in scholarships in 2017. recruiting 17 new campus champions, who are excited about The FAME coordinator is Andrea Martineau, leveraging their roles as MSU faculty and staff in order to contribute to the mission to support some of MSU’s most [email protected]. Fall 2017/Winter 2018 SSW NEWS