Field Agency Focus: Palladia
The CUSSW Department of Field Education works with 600 agencies to place more than 800 master’s degree students in internships annually. Among the community-based agencies with which the department and other faculty members work, Harlem-based Palladia, Inc., stands out as a model for training students, typically transitioning two students each year to full-time positions after graduation.
Palladia, one of the largest not-forprofit social service agencies in New York City, offers a range of innovative programs in the fields of substance abuse, homelessness, HIV, mental health and trauma, domestic violence, and criminal justice services.
Founded in 1970, Palladia has partnered with the School for more than three decades. Palladia staff participate in workshops and panels, and provide field placements and employment opportunities to our students and alumni. Diane Bonavota, vice president of the Office of Program Planning and Development, notes that Columbia students are well prepared by their academic work with its emphasis on critical thinking skills. “They hit the ground running,” she says. “They have a broad perspective on human services and social work, and a firm commitment to make change happen, and they are particularly interested in organizational capacity-building in support of quality services.”
On average, four students who have chosen as their practice method Social Enterprise Administration, Clinical Social Work, or Advanced Generalist Practice and Programming are placed at Palladia each year. Often the relationships continue. Currently, Palladia employs four alumni in a variety of roles: Jonathan Werlin ’04MS, deputy director, Office of Program Planning and Development; Karina Mueller ’10MS, program associate, Residential Services; Deborah Shaw ’07MS, assistant director, Dreitzer Women and Children’s Treatment Center; and Susan Kim ’10MS, social worker, Starhill residential program.
These alumni also mentor and supervise current field placement students, building strong relationships with their CUSSW family.