The University of St. Thomas

School of Social Work

Katharine Hill, PhD, MSW, MPP, LISW

Assistant Professor

kmhill1@stthomas.edu
Phone: (651) 962-5809

SCB 201

Office Location: SCB 309
Courses taught in Spring 2012
GRSW 625-02
20838		 Social Policy & Program Devel 1640-1905 T SCB 205

3 Credit Hours

This course focuses on current social welfare policy, policy analysis and advocacy, connections between policy and practice, and social welfare program development. The content and effects of current social welfare policy are examined in teh course, and policy analysis and the skills for policy advocacy are emphasized. The course carefully considers the connections between policy and clinical practice. A major focus of the course includes learning the stages of program development, which culminates in a group program proposal and presentation. Emphasized in the course are the frameworks of social justice, diversity and cultural contexts, and the application of research skills to all part policy and program practice.
GRSW 682-14
20843		 Applied Research Seminar 1920-2145 R MCH 117

0 Credit Hours

Candidates for the MSW degree must satisfactorily conduct a clinical research project, present the findings, and complete a final written and bound report. The purpose of the clinical research project is to provide the student with an opportunity to independently conceptualize a research problem, formulate a research design, implement the research, analyze the data, address ethical and cultural considerations, and disseminate the findings. The project is a logical extension of required research courses (GRSW 580 and GRSW 681) and requires application, integration, and further development of previously acquired skills and knowledge. The research must be relevant to clinical social work pracitce. The project must demonstrate an original and clear contribution to the body of social work knowledge in the student's selected area of focus. It should demonstrate the student's ability to integrate social work theory with research findings.
SOWK 402-02
22134		 Gen Pract II: Large Client Sys 1335-1635 W SCB 326

4 Credit Hours

This course is a continuation of SOWK 401 and the final of four courses in the practice sequence of the social work curriculum. The focus is on the development of intervention methods based on generalist social-work knowledge that can be applied to all client systems. A special emphasis is placed on effects of oppression and strategies for social action. A combination of lecture, discussion, experiential learning, and small-group activities provide student with knowledge and skills for client advocacy and social change. Prerequisites: SOWK 401; concurrent registration in 406 is required

Office Hours:  Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:00pm (at SCU), Thursdays 10:00 - 11:30am (at UST), and by appointment.

Committees and Positions:

  • University of St. Thomas, Core Curriculum Committee

  • University of St. Thomas, Family Studies Advisory Committee

  • University of St. Thomas. Aquinas Scholars Faculty Board

  • BSW Program Committee

  • BSW Practice Content Committee

  • BSW Policy Content Committee

  • BSW Research Content Committee                 

  • MSW Research Content Committee                                        

  • Faculty Advisor, BSW Social Work Club

  • University of St. Thomas, Online Steering Committee

Courses Taught: 

  • Current BSW (2010-2011):

    • SOWK 281:  Introduction to Social Work

    • SOWK 355: Communication & Interviewing Skills

    • SOWK 391: Social Policy for Social Change

    • SOWK 402: Generalist Practice with Large Systems

          • Current MSW (2010-2011):

            • GRSW 580: Methods of Social Work Research

            • GRSW 625: Social Policy and Program Development

            • GRSW 681: Social Work Practice Research

            • GRSW 682: Applied Research Seminar

          Academic Experience:

          1. BA Macalester College
          2. MPP, Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota
          3. MSW, University of Minnesota
          4. PhD, University of Minnesota
          Current Research Interests:
          • Current Research Interests: 

            • At-risk adolescents’ transition from youth serving systems to adult serving systems

            • Special education policy and transition for youth with disabilities

            • Family policy

            • Intersection of child welfare and disability policy

            • Systems collaboration, integrated service delivery

            • Program evaluation

          Practice Experience:

          • State Technical Assistance Specialist, North Central Regional Research Center

          • Program Coordinator, National Center on Secondary Education and Transition

          • Program Coordinator, Institute on Community Integration

          Publications and Presentations:

          Lightfoot, E., Hill, K. & LaLiberte, T. (2011). Prevalence of children with disabilities in the child welfare system.  Children and youth services review. Manuscript accepted for publication.

          Hill, K., Lightfoot, E., & Kimball, E. (2010).  Independent living services for youth with disabilities as they transition from foster care. Child Welfare, 89 (6).62-81.

          Hill, K., Ferguson, S. & Erickson, C. (2010). Sustaining and strengthening a macro identity: Association of Macro Practice Social Work. Journal of community practice, 18 (4), 513-527.

          Lightfoot, E., LaLiberte, T., & Hill, K. (Article accepted for publication, 2010). Disability status in the termination of parental rights and other child custody statutes. Child abuse & neglect

          Hill, K. & Timmons, J., & Opsal, C. (2010) E-mentoring for older youth with disabilities. In Scigliano, D. (Ed). Telementoring in the K-12 classroom: Online communication technologies for learning.  Hershey, PA: IGI Global.

          Hill, K (2009). IDEA 2004 and the John H. Chaffee Foster Care Independence Act of 1999: What are the policy implications for youth with disabilities transitioning from foster care? Child welfare, 88(2).

          Hill, K. & Lightfoot E. (2008).The dilemma between easing service access through a clear diagnosis of disability and unease in assigning labels to people with disabilities: A case study illustration using foster care transition services. Journal of social work values and ethics, 5(3).

          Hill, K (2008). A strengths-based framework for social policy: barriers and possibilities. Journal of policy practice, 7 (2-3), 106-121.

          Lightfoot, E. & Hill, K. (2010, January). The Prevalence Of Children With Disabilities In The Child Welfare System: An Analysis Of State Administrative Data. Poster presentation at the Annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research, San Francisco, CA.

          Hill, K., Ferguson, S., & Erickson, C. (2009, November). AMPSW: A replicable model for engaging macro practice social workers.   Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, San Antonio, TX.

          Lightfoot, E., LaLiberte, T., & Hill, K. (2009, November). A legislative project addressing state laws that impact parents with disabilities.  Poster Presentation at the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, San Antonio, TX.

          Presentations: 

          Lightfoot, E., Hill, K, & LaLiberte, T. (2010). Disability statutes in the termination of parental rights and other child custody statutes. Child Abuse & Neglect 34 (2010), 927-934.

          Garret, K., Ferguson, S., Hill, K., Kuechler, C., & Toft, J. (2011, October). Teaching Social Justice Practice in a Clinical Program: Antecedents and Outcomes. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Atlanta, GA.

          Hill, K. (2011, October). Older youth with disabilities in foster care: analysis of state administrative data.  Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Atlanta, GA.

          Hill, K. (2011, July). The prevalence of older youth with disabilities in out-of-home placement: an analysis of state administrative data. 4th National Research Conference on Child and Family Programs and Policy, Bridgewater, MA.

          Hill, K., Lightfoot, E., & Kimball, E. (2010, October). Foster care transition services for youth with disabilities: Survey of county providers. Poster presentation at the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Portland, Or.

          Ferguson, S. & Hill, K. (2010, October). Policy practice in the 21st Century: Web 2.0 in the classroom. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Portland, Or.
           
          Lightfoot, E. & Hill, K. (2010, January). The Prevalence Of Children With Disabilities In The Child Welfare System: An Analysis Of State Administrative Data. Poster presentation at the Annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research, San Francisco, CA.
           
          Hill, K., Ferguson, S., & Erickson, C. (2009, November). AMPSW: A replicable model for engaging  macro practice social workers.   Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, San Antonio, TX.
           
          Lightfoot, E., LaLiberte, T., & Hill, K. (2009, November). A legislative project addressing state laws that impact parents with disabilities.  Poster Presentation at the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, San Antonio, TX.

          Association Memberships & Affiliations:

          • Influencing State Policy

          • Association for Community Organization and Social Administration

          • Association of Macro Practice Social Workers

          • Council on Social Work Education

          • Society for Social Work and Research

          Consultation Experience:

          • Consulting Researcher, Center for Advanced Studied in Child Welfare, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota