Alliance for Children and Families Appoints Mason as New Editor

July 11, 2011 - PRLog -- Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, a top-ranked professional social work journal published by the Alliance for Children and Families, has appointed Dr. Susan E. Mason as editor. Mason replaces Dr. William E. Powell, who retires this summer after serving as editor since 2000.

Tasked with maintaining the quality, utility, and availability of Families in Society to key audiences, Mason will work with the Alliance to help shape editorial policy and contribute to an ongoing strategic vision.

“I’m thrilled to expand my relationship with the journal in this way. The unique qualities of Families in Society are its affiliation with the Alliance for Children and Families and its focus on practice and advocacy. Its niche is its commitment to the well-being of families above all other possible subjects,” shared Mason. “It is the family journal.”

Mason is currently a professor at Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University in New York City and has a strong record of scholarship and research activity. She has authored more than 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals, two books, and numerous book chapters. She holds a doctorate in sociology and education from Columbia University, as well as master’s degrees in social work, health care administration, and history.

A Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM), she previously worked in a hospital system providing counseling and social work services to children and their families. Before that she taught in the New York City public schools where she learned firsthand of the challenges facing students and families who live in poverty.

Mason is a clinical social worker and has served as a research director for the New York State Social Work Education Consortium dealing with the child welfare workforce and evidence-based practice initiatives. In 2009, she became the project director of Wurzweiler’s child welfare training program for the Children’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human services.

“While Dr. Mason has thorough familiarity with and utmost respect for the scholarly process, she is firmly rooted in and knowledgeable of the social work profession and the work of social service agencies,” says Alliance president and CEO Peter Goldberg. “We are excited for the future of Families in Society as she assumes this important leadership role.”

Founded in 1920, Families in Society is the oldest social work journal in the United States and continues to serve as an important source of expert, interdisciplinary information for professionals in social work and related fields such as psychology, nursing, and behavioral health.

The Alliance for Children and Families, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is a nonprofit national membership association of private, nonprofit human service providers in the United States and Canada. Motivated by a vision of a healthy society and strong communities, the Alliance strengthens the capacities of North America’s nonprofit child- and family-serving organizations to serve and advocate for children, families, and communities. The nearly 350 members of the Alliance provide an array of community-based programs and services to all generations, serving close to 3.4 million people each year.

Additional information about Families in Society and the Alliance for Children and Families is available at www.FamiliesInSociety.org/About.asp

# # #

Now in its 92nd year, Families in Society focuses on the art, science, & practice of social work and is one of the most respected professional journals in North America on social services.