Nov 3, 2009 -- Wurzweiler School of Social Work of Yeshiva University has been awarded a grant by the New York City Community Trust to fund a curriculum aimed at training social workers to better assist families in economic distress.

The trust has provided the 20-month, $214,000 grant to Wurzweiler, along with the schools of social work at Fordham University, Hunter College, Lehman College, Long Island University and Touro College. These six schools, which are part of the New York City Social Work Education Consortium, will collaboratively develop, test and implement a financial literacy curriculum as part of their education of social work students.

The knowledge and skills that the students learn as a result of the curriculum will be applied in field-work settings throughout the metropolitan area. Dr. Joanna Mellor, assistant professor, will serve as Wurzweiler’s liaison to the project. Funds for the trust’s grant are from the Harriett M. Bartlett Fund, the New York Critical Needs Fund and the Oakey and Ethel Witherspoon Alexander Fund.