Dr. Lausell Bryant Delivers Keynote for NYC Office of Child Support Enforcement's 2015 Policy Conference

Dr. Linda Lausell Bryant, NYU Silver School of Social Work clinical assistant professor, director of undergraduate fieldwork, and Katherine and Howard Aibel Executive-in-Residence, delivered the keynote address at the NYC Department of Social Services Office of Child Support Enforcement’s 2015 Policy Conference. This year’s conference focused on how to serve young adult parents between the ages of 18 and 24. Lausell Bryant discussed the importance of a two-generation approach to providing services where parents and children’s needs are both met. She also emphasized greater collaboration between NYC agencies and community groups.

Lausell Bryant teaches Social Work Practice III Micro/Macro Focus, a graduate level course that proposes to deepen student understanding of macro environmental, socio-economic theories, microsystems, and interventions. In Lausell Bryant’s course, students learn the importance of integrating micro and macro systems through exposure to large-scale assessments and clinical intervention skills particular to clients facing challenges within an urban context. The course details issues around adequacy, equity, access, and direction of social services, to clearly outline the practitioner’s specific roles and strategies.

When reflecting on the conference, Lausell Bryant shared how wonderful it was to witness her students, “learning about how a local government agency addresses the challenges facing young parents.” Lausell Bryant later explained how the event was a great opportunity for her students, “to see the interplay between perspectives on social issues and how these translate into policy and practice in the real world.”