CEHD Inside / Out

This year the School of Social Work devised an innovative plan for reaching out to professionals: Provide convenient continuing education units (CEUs) with a State Fair twist. The result? The first annual offering of "CEUs on a stick" from August 27 through August 29.

The concept of CEUs on a stick was the product of two years of brainstorming in Social Work's Continuing Education committee. The event featured several two-hour workshops spread across three days, organized to mirror the themed days of the Minnesota State Fair: Children and Adolescents Day, Diversity Day, and Direct Practice with Adults Day. The workshops were created free of charge by members of the Social Work faculty.

Since costs for the event were kept relatively low, the department was able to offer a free ticket to the State Fair to all registered attendees. Participants were able to attend workshops in the morning or early afternoon, then take a brief walk over from Peters Hall to the State Fair grounds for some fun and food.

Over 200 social work professionals registered for the workshop series, more than twice the number expected. Field Coordinator MJ Gilbert, one of the event's organizers, says this year was just the beginning. "We've learned so much. We're hoping this is just a jumping off point for what we have to offer the practice community."