Mapping Change: Student Policy Work from the TN
Publication Date
Spring 4-22-2026
Presentation Length
20 minutes
College
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Department
Social Work, Department of
Student Level
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor
Jennifer Crowell Thompson
Metadata/Fulltext
Fulltext
Presentation Type
Talk/Oral
Summary
The child welfare system exists to protect children from harm and ensure their positive well-being. Social workers strive to uphold the NASW Standards for Social Work Practice in Child Protection. The issue at hand is the exposure that youth experience to violence, abuse, and victimization. Quantitative research indicates that 60% of children under the age of 17 have committed or witnessed some sort of victimization in the past year; that includes, but not limited to, violence, abuse, or crime. As introduced, House Bill 902 will require an annually implemented, evidence-based substance abuse and violence prevention program in each public and charter school serving grades 3-12. This bill will promote prevention, safety, and healthy development for the youth we serve. As social workers, we commit to the value of social justice by seeking to stand up for those held in a vulnerable position and affected population.
Recommended Citation
St. Charles, Paise; Dias Quintero, Brandon; and Iwinski, Carter, "Mapping Change: Student Policy Work from the TN" (2026). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 899.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/899
