Fall 2026 SSW Community Connect Events
For virtual workshops, the Zoom link will be sent the day of the event to all registrants. For events with location "TBD," location information will be sent to all registrants.
Click here to register for events.
Navigating AI Features in the Library Catalog and Databases
Presenter: Laurel Scheinfeld, MLS, AHIP-D, Health Sciences Librarian, Stony Brook University Libraries
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Time: 5 to 6 pm
Location: Virtual via Zoom https://stonybrook.zoom.us/j/99450929213?pwd=i0njIyg2D74E98ZjoFbJbAV42dtUyj.1
*Flex Point*
How Do You Spell That? What to Know About Palliative Care
Presenter: Iris Cohen Fineberg, PhD, MSW, OSW-C, Associate Professor
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Description: Many people have never heard of palliative care or do not know what it is. Whatever your area of practice, you are likely to have clients navigating issues of serious illness and end of life. This session will offer an introduction to palliative care and help you understand how it relates to most areas of social work practice. A palliative care course (HWC 528) is offered in the spring semester, open to all MSW specializations.
*Flex Point*
Beyond the Courtroom: How ADR Supports Families, Communities and Social Services
Presenter: Courtney Chicvak, Program Director, Alternative Dispute Resolution - Training and Development
Date: Monday, November 9, 2026
Time: 1:45 pm
Location: Virtual via Zoom
*Flex Point*
Integrating Financial Wellness
Presenter: Stephen Rabeno, PhD, LCSW-R, Clinical Associate Professor and Nick Novellino, SSW Ambassador, BSW Senior
Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Time: 4:45 pm
Location: In Person, HSC 2-1B
*Flex Point*
Networking for Changemakers
Presenter: Suzanne Velazquez, PhD, LCSW, Clinical Professor, Director Undergraduate Program
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
Time: 12:15 pm
Location: In Person, HSC 2-160
*Professional Communication OR Flex Point*
Acing Presentations
Presenter: Haylee Hebenstreit, PhD, LMSW, Clinical Lecturer
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
Time: 12:15 to 1:15 pm
Location: In Person, HSC 2-154
*Professional Communication OR Flex Point*
What is NASW? A Guide to Getting Involved
Presenter: Kamilah Pasha, BSW, Advanced Standing MSW student, NASW-NYS MSW Board Representative
Date: Monday, November 23, 2026
Time: 6 pm
Location: Virtual via Zoom
*Flex Point*
Talking with the Heart: Connecting Across Generations
Presenter: Dr. Elissa Friedman, PhD, LCSW, ACSW, Clinical Assistant Professor
Date: Monday, November 30, 2026
Time: 4:30 to 5:30 pm
Location: In- Person, HSC 2-2AB
Description: “Talk with Heart: Connecting Across Generations” is a skill-building workshop designed to help students communicate respectfully, empathetically, and effectively with older adults. Participants will reflect on personal assumptions about aging while acquiring practical tools to break down communication barriers, navigate age-sensitive dynamics, and build lasting trust with older clients.
*Flex Point*
The Point-In-Time Count Informational
Presenter: Jamie Hurtado, CoC Education and Advocacy Manager, Long Island Coalition for the Homeless and Leah Topek-Walker, DSW, LCSW-R, Clinical Associate Professor
Date: Monday, November 30, 2026
Time: 6 pm
Location: Virtual via Zoom (link will be provided day of the event)
Description: The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless is excited to open registration for the 2027 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, taking place on Wednesday, January 27!
The annual PIT Count is a nationwide effort to collect a snapshot of homelessness in our communities on a single night. Here on Long Island, this count helps us better understand the scope of homelessness across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, identify community needs, and inform future planning, resources, and advocacy efforts. We have had some Stony Brook social work students in the past join our PIT and we would like to give everyone an opportunity to hear about it and get involved!
*Flex Point*
All you ever wanted to know about School Social Work
Presenter: Robin DeLuca-Acconi, PhD, LCSW, Clinical Associate Professor, School Social Work Workforce Development, Programs, and Partnerships
Date: Friday, December 4, 2026
Time: 12 pm
Location: Virtual via Zoom (link will be provided day of the event)
Description: We will discuss the varied roles that school social workers hold, the path to become a certified school social worker and discuss all things school social work
*Flex Point*
