Bertha Rosenstadt Trust Showcase
On February 6, 2015, to celebrate the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work’s 100th anniversary, nine organizations presented the initiatives undertaken with the funding provided by the Bertha Rosenstadt Trust. The Showcase provided the opportunity for members of the social work field to gain insight into the ongoing research projects conducted by their colleagues.
About The Bertha Rosenstadt Trust Fund
Bertha Rosenstadt graduated from the University of Toronto (U of T) with her BA in 1898 and with her MA in 1899. Her brother, Jacob Rosenstadt, bequeathed funds from his estate in her name to the U of T. “In doing so, it is my desire to commemorate the achievement of my dear departed sister, Bertha Rosenstadt, as being amongst the first Jewish women to graduate from the University of Toronto.”
The Bertha Rosenstadt Trust Fund in Health Research –available to all Health Sciences Faculties at U of T – is an important way for the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW) to recognize the contributions of partner organizations who offer placements to FIFSW students.
In 2007, FIFSW designated Bertha Rosenstadt Trust Funds to be used specifically
- to encourage and support the continuing commitment of field practicum partners to social work education,
- to develop and enhance social work research in FIFSW practicum settings.
How does it work? An organization agrees to take a pre-negotiated number of practicum students for three consecutive years. In return, the organization receives a three-year grant to conduct a research project, developed in consultation with FIFSW, that expands social work field education knowledge.
Highlighted Initiatives
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Social Work Student Education Program: Evaluating the Social Work Student Education Standard
Presenter: Illana Perlman
Field placements have been referred to as the “signature pedagogy” of our profession, underscoring the preeminence of this component in the education process. The issue of how to generate sufficient numbers of student placements has long been a concern and a challenge for both universities and field alike. In this context, the social work service at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre has developed an innovative and unique approach to ensuring that each of our staff is fulfilling their teaching mandate – a Social Work Student Education Standard. This ensures participation in teaching activities, and specifically in the area of offering student placements. The Bertha Rosenstadt Trust Fund is enabling research on the implementation and evaluation of the impact of this Standard.
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre slide presentation (PDF)
George Hull Centre for Children and Families (GHC)
(1) Developing a Field Instructor Support Program
Presenter: Reem Abdul Qadir
GHC endeavors to create an orientation process and support system for new and returning field instructors by matching evidence-based practices with organizational, cultural and professional needs. The GHC is committed to work to make explicit a shared vision of the teaching and training at the centre as well as an understanding of the core components of MSW learning and develop flexible options for implementation of this vision. The goal is to create a sustainable program.
George Hull Centre for Children and Families slide presentation (PDF)
Women’s College Hospital
Reflecting on Practice through Arts and Narrative
Presenters: Ingrid Cologna, Karen Gold
The purpose of this project was: (a) to explore the use of arts-based and narrative methods in enhancing reflective practice and relational skills in field practicum; (b) to provide a facilitated arts-based supervision group for students. Informed by the idea that the stories of clients (and ourselves) are central to social work practice and emerging professional identities, the presentation provides a brief overview of the curriculum (teaching methods and practice themes), and shares examples of students’ work. Feedback from participants, challenges, facilitators’ reflections and dissemination will also be discussed.
Women’s College Hospital slide presentation (PDF)
Increasing capacity for student Social Work learners through implementation of a new teaching model
Presenter: Karen Burrell (September 2023)
The project increased the number of MSW students in the academic year from 1 to 4, implementing group supervision, weekly one-one supervision, dedicated time for peer supervision sessions (without supervisors) and monthly group learning. Students and supervisors provided feedback at mid-term and at the end of practicum on their experience in a multi-student group supervision model.
Women’s College Hospital slide presentation (PDF)
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Presenters: Sandra Cushing, Suraya Faziluddin, Kiren Sandhu, Claudia Tindall
(1) Quality Improvement & Evaluation of Social Work Mentorship Program at CAMH
The aim of the mentorship research project was to evaluate the effectiveness of social work mentorship program at CAMH. To achieve this aim, quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed over a period of time from all the participating mentor/mentee matches. The overall feedback for the program was very positive and it helped to improve it. It continues on.