Professor honored
Lisa Rapp-McCall, a professor in the graduate social work program at Saint Leo University, was honored by the National Organization of Forensic Social Work (NOFSW), which has 300 members, social workers and mental health professionals working in forensic settings around the country.
Rapp-McCall was named the NOFSW 2021 Sol Gothard Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
The late Gothard was a member who started his career as a social worker and later became a judge, continuing his efforts to protect and to seek justice for abused children.
The award was presented to Rapp-McCall in recognition of her years of writing, teaching and researching in the areas of juvenile crime, child abuse and human trafficking, among other acts of service.
Rapp-McCall earned her doctorate in social work from the University of Buffalo. She is a resident of Hillsborough County.
Back-to-School Extravaganza
Florida KidCare will present a Back-to-School Extravaganza from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at these locations:
- July 31, Citrus Park Mall
- Aug. 8, Tampa Premium Outlets
The event will include backpack giveaways, free school supplies, face painting, games, photo stops, characters, stage performances, and information on family services.
For more, call 727-674-1464.
School supplies needed
The Hillsborough Education Foundation’s “Erase the Need” school supply drive will run July 28 through Aug. 6. The top 20 most-needed school supplies are: backpacks, cap erasers, 12-count colored pencils, composition books, copy paper, 24-count crayons, dry-erase markers, filler paper, glue sticks, glue bottles, highlighters, index cards, large pink erasers, pencils, pens, pocket folders, rulers, scissors, spiral notebooks and washable markers. Drop-offs can be made to the donation bins in the lobby at these area YMCAs:
- East Pasco Family YMCA, 37301 Chapel Hill Loop, Zephyrhills
- New Tampa Family YMCA, 16221 Compton Drive, Tampa
For information and more locations, visit EducationFoundation.com/DonateSchoolSupplies.
Meet the Teacher
Seven Oaks Elementary School, 27633 Mystic Oak Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will host two Meet the Teacher sessions on Aug. 5, for students and families.
Prekindergarten through second-grade students can attend from 10 a.m. to noon, and third-grade through fifth-grade students can attend from noon to 2 p.m.
Students must be registered for school in advance. Summer registration hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At the event, families will need to report to the cafeteria first, to pick up classroom assignments.
Both sessions will provide the opportunity to get teacher assignments, meet the teacher, get transportation information, tour the campus, order a yearbook, purchase spirit gear, join the PTA, and get answers to questions about the school.
For information, call Seven Oaks at 813-794-0700.
Free school supplies
There will be a Back to School drive-thru event on Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at Life Church, 6224 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, that will include free school supplies. Students must be present. Giveaways are on a first-come, first-served basis.
To donate a backpack through the Sydney Paige Foundation, visit tinyurl.com/h3v5w778.
Back to School Drive-Thru
The Church @ Myrtle Lake, 2017 Reigler Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host a Back to School Drive-Thru on Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon.
This is a free backpack and school supply giveaway for kindergarten through 12th grade.
One backpack per child in attendance, while supplies last.
For information, visit MyrtleLake.org.
Student achievements
- Haarika Gurivireddygari, a graduate of Steinbrenner High School, received a $5,000 scholarship from Wieland Rolled Products North America.
- Sarah Jason-Vikram, of Wesley Chapel, was named to the Dean’s List and received an Associate of Arts, Psychology Transfer Pathway, with high honors, from Normandale Community College, Bloomington, Minnesota.
Shoe & sock drive
The Two Good Soles Shoes and Socks Drive is underway through Oct. 22, with the Pasco County government and constitutional offices working together to collect footwear for kids in Pasco County schools.
Last year’s drive yielded 1,746 pairs of shoes and 5,773 pairs of socks.
Social workers will distribute the items to Pasco County Schools students at the end of October.
Drop-off locations/collection boxes are at the offices of the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller, the Pasco County Property Appraiser, and the Pasco County Tax Collector.
Conference proposals sought
The Florida Organization for Human Services Inc. (FLOHS) will host a virtual conference scheduled for Oct. 6 and Oct. 7. The theme is “Resilient Horizons: Breaking Down Barriers.”
The educational nonprofit is seeking workshop proposals on how to be resilient through trying times, and that focus on how to provide knowledge and skills to help others.
The audience will include students, new practitioners and more established professionals.
Submissions may include interventions, skills, knowledge and wellness, as related to assisting Human Services professionals to master their craft and become more effective leaders.
Presentations are typically 60 minutes to 90 minutes long.
Proposals should target one of the following areas:
- Ethics in Helping Relationships
- Interviewing and Intervention Skills
- Group Work
- Case Management
- Human Development
- Social and Cultural Issues
- Social Problems
- Assessment/Treatment Planning
- Intervention Models/Theories
- Human Behavior
- Social Welfare and Public Policy
- Research, Program Evaluation and Supervision
The deadline for proposals is Aug. 1, and must include a CV/resume, a video (with an introduction of yourself and summary topic) or a 100-word to 300-word abstract.
All applicants that are approved will be notified by Aug. 15.
For additional submission details, or to email a proposal, contact .
