David Hawkins
Endowed Social Work Professor in Prevention
Former Director, Social Development Research Group

When a few West Seattle middle-school students recently stepped in to stop some boys from bullying another student, they not only decided to do the right thing, they also demonstrated that well-researched and effective programs implemented by schools, families, and communities working together can solve problems and change behaviors.

David Hawkins is the former director of the Social Development Research Group (SDRG) at the UW School of Social Work. He and Richard Catalano, the current director of SDRG, developed a youth and family planning system called Communities That Care that was adopted by 22 public schools in Seattle in 2002. The system is designed to mobilize communities to tackle drug use, high dropout rates, teen pregnancy and other problems that undermine children’s prospects and well-being with true and tested solutions.

“Communities That Care is really science in the service of better social policies and programs,” David says.

Each school — including the West Seattle middle school — pulled together a planning team of educators, parents, and community members. Six thousand middle-school students filled out anonymous surveys that helped researchers and the planning teams to identify risky behaviors and areas of concern, as well as factors that buffer kids from harm. School teams then implemented tested and effective programs to address the problems.

Three years into the program, West Seattle middle-school staff members say there is no doubt that there is a change in students’ behavior. “It’s the kind of intervention, based on good, effective research and programs, which can lead to positive youth development,” says David.

Erin Stanley
BASW '01, MSW '02
Assistant Director - Honor Project, Native Wellness Center

Whatever she was going to do in life, Erin Stanley knew early on that she wanted to work with people. “I wanted to be working with the tribes, with indigenous people,” she explains. “It just felt right.” Erin spent her early years in Taholah, on Quinault Indian Nation lands that hug the rugged Washington coast.

In college she felt a little lost as one of only a few Native American students at a university far from home. Then she heard that the UW School of Social Work had recently hired two Native American professors. Two? That was unprecedented. Erin packed her bags and headed for Seattle.

Erin completed her bachelor’s degree in social work and her masters a year later. She is now the assistant director of the Honor Project, a research project of the Native Wellness Center, a research center for practice and policy. She also works with the Institute for Indigenous Health and Child Welfare. The Native Wellness Center was founded in 2002 by Associate Professor Karina Walters and Assistant Professor Tessa Evans-Campbell, the two distinguished professors whose presence at the School had drawn Erin to it.

“ To work with these two women in this environment is a gift,” says Erin. “We’re creating a real community here. It’s so inspiring to see two Native women researchers who work in such a respectful way with the community. They teach us to let the community drive the work and that the answers lie with the people.” Only about 50 percent of Native American students make it to high school graduation. The example of Native people succeeding in college can be a powerful inspiration for kids trying to complete their education. Five years ago, there were only two Native students in the School of Social Work. Last year, 12 Native students graduated; four candidates will enter the PhD program in the fall.