Temple University’s Board of Trustees approved the reorganization of the School of Social Administration and the College of Health Professions into a new College of Health Professions and Social Work, effective July 1, 2009.

“This joint endeavor will allow us to share resources and promote very important collaborations between the two schools, mirroring trends in the current professional worlds of healthcare and social work,” said Ronald Brown, who will become dean of the new College and was previously dean of the College of Health Professions.

An important area for collaboration is the interest that both schools share in health care access and health disparities that exist for many individuals in North Philadelphia, the Delaware Valley, and nationwide, notes Brown. “Now both of the schools can join together to tackle this very important issue,” he said.

“Health is such an important component of quality of life,” said Linda Mauro, interim dean of the School of Social Administration who is stepping down to return to the faculty. “The lack of accessible and affordable health care is one of the most significant stressors for everyone but particularly for poor people and people of color. Creating and sustaining healthy communities is the most important area for our partnership.”

As part of the move, several centers will be transferred from the School of Social Administration to the College of Health Professions and Social Work, including The Center for Social Policy and Community Development; the Center for Intervention and Practice Research and the Institute on Protective Services. Both the Bachelor and Master of Social Work will continue to be offered and tenure of the SSA faculty will be transferred to the School of Social Work in the newly organized College.

No programs or departments in the current College of Health Professions will be affected administratively by this reorganization.

Both SSA and CHP enjoy proud traditions of excellence, with successful and dedicated alumni, faculty, staff and students in all areas. This year, SSA marks its 40th anniversary of training social work professionals and CHP celebrated its 40th in 2006.

“Together, the two promise to be a powerful force for health care and social well being in the 21st century,” said Brown.