Don SchweitzerAssistant Professor
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Dr. Schweitzer is an assistant professor of social work at Pacific University and has worked with homeless populations throughout his social work career. His current research focuses on understanding and ameliorating the problem of homeless and runaway youth. He believes that current policy and treatment responses frequently exacerbate the problems of these yourths by compounding family conflicts that result in youth being "pushed" out of their homes. These policies are obstacles to genuine care, and as a result, many young people have few options beyond high-risk living arrangments.
Dr. Schweitzer's research goals are to continue to conduct participatory and qualitative research in an effort to help shape innovative forms of policy, treatment models and service evaluation that can help overcome the problems associated with the homeless and runaway youth.
Education
Ph.D., Social Work and Social and Social Research
Portland State University, Portland, OR Aug. 2011
Master of Arts, Social Work
Boise State University, Boise, ID May 2005
Bachelor of Arts, Social Work
Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID May 2004
Teaching Experience
Assistant Professor and Director of Field Placement
Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR Aug. 2009-present Courses:
Micro Social Work Practice
Human Behavior in the Social Environment (HBSE)
Senior Seminar
Junior Seminar
Visiting Professor Aug. 2008-May 2009
Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR
Courses:
Social Work with Groups
Counseling and Interviewing Techniques
Principles of Social Work
Adjunct Faculty Aug. 2007-May 2008
Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR
Courses:
Social Work with Groups
Counseling and Interviewing Techniques
Principles of Social Work
Micro Social Work Practice
US Navy Instructor – Nuclear Power Training Unit, Idaho Falls, ID - Feb 1991 –Mar 1993
Instructed officer and enlisted students in theory, operation, and maintenance of nuclear propulsion plant systems.
US Navy Shipboard Instructor – USS Hawkbill - Aug 1990 – Jan 1991
Instructed officer and enlisted personnel in theory, operation, and maintenance of nuclear propulsion plant systems. Trainings were consistently evaluated as “very effective” and “above average” training value.
Why I study social work
Since beginning my work in social services, I’ve always wanted to study social work. At the bachelor’s level, social work taught me the skills I needed to work with at-risk populations such as the homeless and other impoverished groups. At the master’s level, social work has taught me skills to work with the mentally ill and those struggling with addiction. At the doctoral level, social work is teaching me to understand the theory behind why social problems exist and ways to effectively measure the interventions we employ. Moreover, I am extremely proud of the extensive history social work has with advocating for the needs of the voiceless in our communities
What I would tell a student considering a major in social work.
Social work is an exciting field that offers many occupations with a variety of populations. Do you think you might want to work with the homeless or with at-risk youth? Perhaps you’ve thought about working with women coming out of prison, helping them transition back into our communities or with the elderly? Maybe you’d like to work in a hospital assisting patience access services in the community. These are just a few examples of the people social workers get to work with. However, while social work is an exciting, diverse profession with a long history of facilitating real change in our communities, I would encourage students to visit with one of the social work professors as well as any social workers they may know in the field and ask them more. We’d be happy to sit down and talk with you
Select Publications
Nelson, K., Walters, B., Schweitzer, D., Blythe, B., & Pecora, P. (2009). A ten-year review of family preservation research: Building the evidence base. Casey Family Programs’ Report.
Nelson, K., Walters, B., Schweitzer, D., Blythe, B., & Pecora, P. (Re-submitted for publication). A ten-year review of family preservation research: Building the evidence base.
Cahn, K., Schweitzer, D., Jamieson, A., & Slevin, H. (2009). Stronger youth and smarter communities: An analysis of Oregon’s investment in runaway and homeless youth programs. Portland, OR: Portland State University.
Schweitzer, D., Chianello, T. & Korthari, B. (in press). Compensation in social work: Critical for satisfaction and a sustainable profession. Administration in Social Work.
Schweitzer, D. (2011). Runaway and homeless youth: Changing the discourse by legitimizing youth voice. Dissertation. Portland State University.
Nelson, K. & Schweitzer, D (in press). What works in family preservation services. In P.A. Curtis & G. Alexander (Eds.), What works in child welfare. Child Welfare League of America.
Select Presentations
NASW Statewide Conference Portland, OR |
Mar. 2012 |
Doerfler, M., & Schweitzer, D. Punks, Delinquents & Drop-Outs: The Effects of Societal Views of Youth on Social Work Practice. |
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Pacific University Undergraduate Research Conference Forest Grove, OR |
Nov. 2011 |
Campton, J., Kirk, H. & Schweitzer, D., A Place to Connect: Understanding the Impact and Influences of Nature on Personal Efficacy [poster presentation]. |
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Innovations in Community, Organizational & Policy Practice Conference Portland, OR |
June 2011 |
Charpentier-Philippi, E. & Schweitzer, D., A Place to Connect: Understanding the Impact and Influences of Biophilia [paper presentation]. |
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Pacific University Undergraduate Research Conference Forest Grove, OR |
Nov. 2010 |
Charpentier-Philippi, E. & Schweitzer, D., B-Street Farm Permaculture Project: An Evaluability Assessment [poster presentation]. |
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Social Work Doctoral Student Symposium Houston, TX |
Mar. 2010 |
Presented dissertation project, participatory action research methods with homeless youth. |
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Oregon Coalition on Housing & Homelessness Hood River, OR |
Apr. 2009 |
Workshop explored the myths surrounding program evaluation and provided understanding and tools to for programs to develop their own performance standards. |
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Society for Social Work Research (SSWR), Annual Conference New Orleans, LA |
Jan. 2009 |
Paper presented: A Ten-Year Review of Family Preservation Research: Building the Evidence Base. (I was not in attendance) |
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Runaway and Homeless Youth Grantee Conference St. Louis, MO |
Nov. 2008 |
Presentation: Communities Empowering Youth – State Capacity Building This workshop provided attendees with an overview of activities taking place in the state of Oregon as part of the Communities Empowering Youth (CEY) project. The CEY project was a federally funded project being used to build RHY service capacity around the state and developed on behalf of, and in collaboration with, Oregon runaway and homeless youth (RHY) providers and advocates and Portland State University. |
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Oregon Runaway and Homeless Youth Summit Salem, OR |
Sept. 2008 |
Day 1: Empowerment Analysis: Four-hour workshop on developing a statewide strategic plan to improve services for runaway and homeless youth. Day 2: Innovative Models and Practices |
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Professional Memberships
National Association of Social Workers
American Evaluation Association
Oregon Program Evaluators Network