Category: Specialty Practice Sections, Empowerment / Strengths-Based, Government / Public Policy ... (show more) Category: Specialty Practice Sections, Empowerment / Strengths-Based, Government / Public Policy, Social Work (show less)

Launched in 2016, the Grand Challenges for Social Work initiative that was sponsored by the American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare (AASWSW) represents a dynamic social agenda focused on solving this nation’s toughest problems. The grand challenge to end homelessness (GC2EH) was adopted as part of this initiative as a way to orient the social work profession and advance innovation and evidence-based solutions. In this webinar we will review a number of major initiatives or advances in workforce development and research that have been implemented by schools of social work across the United States to address the GC2EH. We will also discuss ongoing and persistent institutional and structural factors, including systemic racism and income/wealth inequality, that perpetuate or exacerbate the problem of homelessness. Much of the work that has been accomplished during the first 5 years of the GC2EH lays the groundwork for progress over the next 5 years.