Social Recap

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, organizations across the country work to educate the public about relationship abuse and dispel harmful misconceptions. One key focus is the difficulty of leaving an abusive relationship.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the most dangerous time in an abusive relationship is when a survivor is leaving. Survivors attempt to leave an average of seven times before escaping permanently.

To help illustrate these challenges, the Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW) hosted the “In Their Shoes” simulation as part of Florida State University’s Discovery Days. The simulation presented participants with situations commonly faced by victims of domestic violence and required them to make decisions related to safety, housing, finances, employment and family well-being.

The experience gave participants insight into obstacles faced by survivors of domestic violence trying to leave a dangerous situation.

“This exercise highlights how decisions that may seem straightforward from the outside often involve significant complexity,” said FICW Director Lisa Magruder. “Once participants understand more of the context, they begin to see the many gray areas involved. Ultimately, it helps build empathy.”

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Experiential learning event offers participants a firsthand look at the challenges survivors face during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

As part of Florida State University’s annual Discovery Days, the Florida Institute for Child Welfare will host an interactive learning simulation designed to help participants better understand the realities faced by survivors of domestic violence.

In the In Their Shoes simulation, participants assume the role of a parent navigating life while experiencing domestic violence. They complete real-world scenarios that simulate common barriers survivors face and make decisions related to safety, housing, finances, employment and family well-being.

“The In Their Shoes simulation is a unique experiential learning opportunity that can’t easily be achieved through a lecture or reading on the topic,” said simulation facilitator Krista Del Gallo. “Participants gain critical perspectives around the choices survivor parents make and how they often come from a place of protecting children and seeking safety in light of limited options.”

The event will take place:

TUESDAY, OCT. 20 

1-3 P.M. 

ROOMS 2400 AND 2500,
THE GLOBAL AND MULTICULTURAL ENGAGEMENT BUILDING 

110 S. WOODWARD AVE. 

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS 

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA

Visit the event website for more information and to register.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence has far-reaching impacts on children and families and is frequently present among families involved in the child welfare system. Child welfare professionals play an important role in helping families navigate safety concerns and resources, making a deeper understanding of survivors’ experiences critical to effective support and intervention.

“Domestic violence affects families in every community,” said Lisa Magruder, the institute’s director. “Through research, training and public engagement opportunities like In Their Shoes, we hope to build understanding and strengthen the systems that support families.”

Experiential learning programs help participants engage more deeply with challenging issues by offering an immersive experience that challenges participants to grapple more deeply with complex subject matters.

“In Their Shoes isn’t a game, and it isn’t meant to be fun,” Magruder said. “It’s designed to encourage perspective-taking, critical thinking and reflection. By putting yourself in someone else’s position, you start to see something victim advocates have emphasized for years: survivors are the experts in their own safety.”

The event is intended for students, faculty and staff interested in gaining a deeper understanding of domestic violence and its impact on families. It may be especially valuable for those studying or working in social work, education, public health, psychology, criminal justice and related fields.

“Domestic violence is not just a workforce issue. It’s a community issue.” Magruder said.  “The more we understand about the realities of abuse, the better equipped we are to respond. When we listen to survivors, learn from research and work together across systems, we create stronger pathways to survivor empowerment.”

The Discovery Days simulation is one of several ways the institute is advancing understanding of domestic violence and its impact on children and families. In addition to training and professional development opportunities, the institute recently dedicated season nine of its child welfare podcast, “Together for Families: Domestic Violence Support in Child Welfare,” to conversations with researchers, advocates, practitioners and individuals with experience on this issue.

Established by the Florida Legislature and housed in the FSU College of Social Work, the institute also offers research publications, learning opportunities and workforce development resources that support child welfare professionals. Through these efforts, the institute connects research, practice and policy to improve outcomes for families and strengthen Florida’s child welfare workforce.

Visit the In Their Shoes event page for more information and to register. Visit the Florida Institute for Child Welfare website to learn more about the institute, explore domestic violence-related resources or listen to “Together for Families.”

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Two Florida State University teams have received 2026 Florida TaxWatch Government Productivity Awards for projects that strengthened child welfare training and reduced custodial costs at the university’s off-campus facilities.

The awards recognize public employees and organizations whose work saves money, improves efficiency and directly benefits Florida taxpayers.

This year, awards were presented to the Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW) for creating Florida’s first immersive child welfare learning laboratory and to a collaborative team led by FSU Facilities for restructuring custodial operations at the university’s off-campus facilities.

Both teams were honored during a ceremony at the Florida Historic Capitol Museum, joining state leaders and policymakers in celebrating projects that increased operational efficiency, modernized training and saved millions in public funds.

Strengthening Florida’s Child Welfare Workforce

The Florida Institute for Child Welfare earned recognition for its project, “Florida’s First Immersive Child Welfare Learning Lab.”

Child welfare professionals routinely make critical decisions that affect the safety and well-being of children and families. But because standalone simulation labs are costly, training programs across Florida have historically relied on traditional classroom instruction.

To address this challenge, FICW established Florida’s first centralized experiential learning lab. The facility offers professionally equipped simulation environments where child welfare professionals, students and community partners can practice key assessment, communication and decision-making skills before entering the field.

“We are incredibly honored to receive our first TaxWatch Government Productivity Award,” said Lisa Magruder, director of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. “This recognition validates our commitment to developing innovative, evidence-informed solutions that strengthen Florida’s child welfare workforce.”

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Soon after the development of the first computers, engineers and programmers began tinkering with them to create games. Turning a calculating machine into a device for fun pushed the capabilities of the new technology, stimulated creative thinking and inspired interest from the public.

From their origins in the 1950s and 1960s, video games have come a long way. They’re now an industry that generates more than $180 billion annually around the world. Faculty at Florida State University are innovating in this rapidly evolving field, studying how games can reduce mental health stigma, improve language learning, train child welfare professionals and create new opportunities for science communication.

Games and human behavior

At the College of Communication and Information (CCI), researchers are investigating the cultural impacts of video games and how they can affect perceptions of mental illness. In 2025, Professor Nicholas Sellers authored a book chapter titled “GAMES FOR GOOD: Exploring the Potential for Traditional Video Game Narratives to Reduce Mental Health Stigma.”

The chapter is based on a study published in Frontiers, conducted by Sellers and Associate Professor Arienne Ferchaud. The study examined whether playing or watching a video game character experiencing mental illness affected participants’ attitudes toward mental health.

Researchers found that players who directly engaged with the game felt more connected to the character and demonstrated lower levels of stigma, which may help remove impediments to treatment.

“One of the main barriers to seeking treatment is the stigma around mental health. If we can find ways to destigmatize mental illness, we can remove that barrier and encourage treatment when necessary,” Ferchaud said. “Video games are an effective medium for representation because of their interactivity, allowing players to ‘practice’ interactions in a way that is not possible in non-interactive media.”

Other CCI researchers are also exploring applications of video games in the classroom. In a multi-institutional research study published in ACM Journals, Professor Sana Tibi co-led research examining whether collaborative video games can help English as a Second Language (ESL) students develop language skills. The study paired native English speakers and ESL students in a game that required communication and cooperation to complete tasks.

Other research is examining games as a communication medium that intrinsically involves decision making from the audience. Gabrielle Lamura, a doctoral student at FSU, explored horror and morality in video games in her paper, “Moral Dilemmas: Horror Video Games Narrative Mechanics,” which she presented at a 2025 National Communication Association conference.

Some of her other projects are examining how environmental factors and game mechanics influence player behavior and a review of morality and moral decision making in games.

At the FSU College of Music, Assistant Professor Julianne Grasso researches music in multimedia, especially video games, examining how musical themes associated with characters and places develop during a game’s narrative.

“Video game music is interesting for the ways that it seems to function as background and yet has such an effect on us,” Grasso said. “It’s similar to film music in that it can affect how we perceive the emotions and meanings of the scenes we are watching, but video game music goes one step further in influencing ultimately how players interact with virtual environments.”

As technology developed, game designers gained a greater ability to add richness and interactivity to in-game sounds and music, changing how users perceived their experience. Early adaptive audio has evolved so musical directors in modern games have a wide number of parameters they can adjust to fit their creative goals.

“In a film, we might get tense, dissonant music to accompany a suspenseful scene and help the audience feel what characters feel. In a game, that same kind of music might be used as a signal for the player to watch out for danger and to act accordingly,” she said.

From screen to reality: Practical applications of video game technology

The Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW) collaborated with different contractors to launch two new virtual reality (VR) tools that help social workers train for a critical job in low-stakes virtual environments.

“We are working to create real-world practice opportunities for both current child welfare professionals and students preparing to enter the field,” said FICW Associate Director of Professional Development Kristina Finch. “Through our immersive VR platforms, including the Accenture Avenues headset experiences and our AI-powered virtual home environment being developed with MeetKai, participants can build and strengthen the skills needed to effectively engage with children and families while promoting safety and well-being.”

These interactive simulations provide controlled environments where College of Social Work students can develop skills before practicing in real-world settings. These AI-powered tools allow students to practice observing environmental factors in a virtual setting, helping students connect classroom instruction with real-world practice.

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PHOTO GALLERY

Florida State University is transforming the future of clinical training and community support with the grand opening of the newly expanded Maryland Building.  

This state-of-the-art renovation marks a collaborative milestone for the FSU College of Social Work, serving as a premier joint home for the Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Consulting Center (MDC) and the Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW). The addition debuts advanced facilities for both organizations specifically designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and the complex realities of supporting children and families. 

“This building has been transformed into a hub for leadership, innovation and impact,” said David Springer, dean of the College of Social Work. “Yet, that vision was never solely about bricks and mortar; it was about creating a collaborative environment where research, education and practice come together under one roof. It is a place where ideas are tested, refined and translated into action in a way that strengthens families, communities and systems across the state of Florida.” 

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Florida State University welcomed representatives from the College of Social Work’s Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW) for a panel during the third annual FSU Discovery Days, which explored how virtual reality (VR) technologies are revitalizing the efficiency of child welfare services.

In a workforce where skills in sensitivity are critical and emotional stakes are high, the panelists discussed how virtual reality simulations can equip trainees in child welfare with the necessary preparedness to navigate real-life scenarios before entering the field.

“Our flagship study, the Florida Study of Professionals for Safe Families, found that 81% of newly hired child welfare workers leave within about the first three and a half years of starting their role, and that’s a staggering number and tells us that we need to do more, and better and ideally faster,” said Lisa Magruder, director of FICW. “One way we’re doing that is through our new experiential learning lab, which is coming soon. We want to bring our vision of simulation-based learning to life. We want to do more around realistic job previews. We want students and workers to have a safe place to practice, reflect, and grow before they’re in the field on their own, working with families.”

“We want students and workers to have a safe place to practice, reflect, and grow before they’re in the field on their own, working with families.”

– Lisa Magruder, director of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare

Established in 2014, the Florida Institute for Child Welfare is a legislatively mandated institute with the mission of promoting the well-being, safety and permanency of the children and families of Florida that are involved with the child welfare system. FICW conducts nationally recognized research and seeks to use collaborative partnerships, research, policy analysis and training to enhance the sustainability of the child welfare workforce.

Brooke Bass, assistant secretary for the Office of Child and Family Well-Being at the Florida Department of Children and Families, gave opening remarks at the event and highlighted how collaboration with the institute has transformed the state of child welfare services in Florida.

“Together, through research, collaboration and innovation, we’ve made tremendous progress in preparing and supporting the dedicated professionals who serve Florida’s children and families,” Bass said. “The Florida Institute for Child Welfare is not just a partner; they are a trusted ally in our shared mission.”

Magruder, who took over as director of the institute in 2023, joined Kristina Finch, associate director of professional development at FICW; Morgan Cooley, assistant professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Sandler School of Social Work; and Kristen Puckett, learning and development manager at the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Office of Child and Family Well-Being for the panel.

Discussing the need to strengthen statewide training and ensure consistent approaches to child welfare, the panelists emphasized the potential of advancing human services alongside technology.

“How can we create infrastructure that makes this training stable?” Cooley said.

Using VR simulations tailored towards child welfare services, FICW and DCF have created the infrastructure to foster consistent, culturally sensitive and trauma-informed training, providing a safe space for staff to practice their interactions with families involved in the child welfare system.

“My motto is words matter,” Puckett said. “When you can work with families in a way that makes you feel like you’ve done your best and where they understand what’s happening, it’s much easier to navigate this field.”

The work done at FICW reflects the power of technology to stimulate innovation across disciplines.

“Innovation moves fast, especially now,” said Finch, who helped spearhead the implementation of VR in Florida’s child welfare services. “If we don’t embrace technology, we’re going to be left behind.”

As a result of this innovation, FICW has deployed 200 headsets and launched two virtual reality simulations throughout the state, making Florida the first to implement statewide VR technology in child welfare training. With plans to expand to four scenarios by the spring, the institute has also begun merging these technologies with course curricula for students of social work.

“Students want to know when they can come back for more,” Magruder said.

Yet, the panelists added that innovation is not always about developments in technology — mindset also makes the difference. While digital advancements open the doors to increased efficiency, the changes that come from engagement with technology are what truly measure innovation.

“Virtual reality is just the tool,” Finch said.

For more information about the Florida Institute for Child Welfare, visit ficw.fsu.edu.

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Florida State University’s Stoops Center for Communities, Families, and Children (Stoops CFC Center) recently unveiled a traveling exhibit showcasing and amplifying the experiences of mothers impacted by substance use and involvement with the child welfare system at a reception at the Palm Beach County Library.

The exhibit, “Photovoice Study on the Intersection of Substance Use, Child Welfare, and Family Preservation,” marked the beginning of a broader public education campaign across Palm Beach County, which highlighted a participatory research method known as Photovoice.

“Using photography and storytelling empowers individuals, particularly from vulnerable communities, to document their experiences and share their perspectives,” said Ellen Piekalkiewicz, principal investigator for the project and director of Stoops CFC Center.

For the exhibit, mothers served as co-researchers and documented their journeys through photography and dialogue.

“Their reflections surfaced urgent themes around supportive care, collaborative practices, coordinated services and relational healing — each highlighting the human stories often obscured in systems-based conversations.”

— Ellen Piekalkiewicz, Stoops CFC Center director

“Their reflections surfaced urgent themes around supportive care, collaborative practices, coordinated services and relational healing — each highlighting the human stories often obscured in systems-based conversations,” Piekalkiewicz said. The study involved mothers primarily from Palm Beach County, whose experiences will inform its findings and recommendations.

The study’s findings underscore the critical importance of trauma-informed, flexible and family-centered approaches in child welfare policy and practice. The 21 participants shared their hopes, struggles and insights, contributing invaluable recommendations to inform systemic improvements.

The exhibit features photographs from two of the women who participated in the project.

Heather Howard, chief strategy officer at the Hanley Center and an associate professor at Florida Atlantic University, helped launch the project alongside the center’s staff.

“The results demonstrated the importance of supportive, collaborative, coordinated care and relational care between the child welfare worker and the mother-infant dyad,” Howard said. “When a safety plan is conducted, the child welfare worker can work collaboratively with the mother to support motherhood and provide hope for recovery and family preservation.”

The exhibit, supported by the FSU Florida Institute for Child Welfare and FSU Stoops CFC Center, will continue to travel throughout Palm Beach County, fostering dialogue and empathy among community members, service providers and policymakers alike.

“The kick-off event drew a large crowd of supporters and researchers, all committed to advancing family well-being through research-informed practice and human-centered care,” Piekalkiewicz said. “Our hope is that the traveling exhibit will inform an even broader audience about the lived experiences of mothers who have children involved with the child welfare system.”

For more information about the Stoops Center for Communities, Families, and Children, visit cfc.fsu.edu.

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Child welfare professionals and Florida State University College of Social Work students often face challenges in developing the necessary skills for effective observation and interviewing in real-world settings.

Now, FSU’s Information Technology Services (ITS), in collaboration with the Florida Institute for Child Welfare, (FICW) is launching a virtual training solution that can enhance practical skills through an immersive AI-powered tool that supports the educational journey of higher-education students and pre-service child welfare investigators and case managers.

“This innovation is a crucial advancement for our social work students, as it provides them with the practical skills and experience needed to excel in their future careers through a virtual platform,” said David Springer, dean of the College of Social Work. “By offering a realistic and immersive training tool, we are ensuring that our students are well-prepared to make a meaningful impact in the field of child welfare and social work.”

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Researchers at the Florida State University College of Social Work are expanding their work in criminal justice settings to offer trauma-based behavioral health programming to youth 21 and under in adult jail settings.

With funding from the Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW), Associate Professor Stephen Tripodi, principal investigator, and Assistant Professor Tanya Renn, co-principal investigator, plan to launch Skills Training for Affective and Interpersonal Regulation, or STAIR, which aims to provide mental and behavioral health programming to youth incarcerated in adult correctional facilities.

“Almost all incarcerated people, including younger incarcerated people, have experienced significant trauma and need trauma-based programming,” Tripodi said. “Youth incarcerated in adult jail settings are even more likely to suffer from trauma and mental health issues than other adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system. Correctional facilities struggle to respond to symptoms and consequences of the lifetime of traumatic experiences of its populations, such as mental health and substance use disorders, PTSD, impulsivity, aggression and struggle with coping mechanisms.”

Short-term interventions like STAIR are flexible and can improve individuals’ well-being while incarcerated and their outcomes when they reenter society or transition to other correctional facilities.

“Many youth who become involved in the justice system have suffered from adverse childhood experiences, and youth with child welfare system involvement have an additional increased risk for justice involvement due to acute mental and behavioral health needs that may be unmet,” Renn said.

Renn is eager to connect with youth in local correctional facilities. There are over 80 incarcerated people in Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit under age 21 and over 60 at the John E. Polk Correctional facility in Seminole County.

“The majority of research on trauma experiences and interventions among incarcerated populations has focused on state and federal prisons, while little is known about the experiences of populations in local jail/correctional facilities due to the short-term nature of stays and logistical factors that make conducting research difficult,” she said.

Katie Berry, interim associate director of research at the FICW, said she is proud to support the intervention research.

“We know that, in general, many incarcerated youth are at risk or have been involved with the child welfare system in their childhood,” Berry said. “Prioritizing the well-being of this population is a natural partnership between our sister institutes in improving overall well-being for vulnerable youth and their families.”

Previous studies on the feasibility of implementing the STAIR program at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Sanford, Florida, showed success in both implementation and adult participants’ willingness to discuss their experiences and excitement to acquire new skillsets as they navigate their way to reentry into society.

“It is important to recognize the immediate value of research-based studies, particularly for individuals under 21, in the context of trauma-informed care,” said Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma. “Understanding the profound impact of trauma on young lives helps us develop effective strategies for their healing and rehabilitation. I am grateful for these continued research studies and partnership with Florida State University. By integrating evidence-based practices, we can better support these individuals, reducing recidivism and fostering healthier communities.”

The project also includes collaborating with Public Defender Jessica Yeary and the 2nd Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office.

“The practice of sentencing children into harsh and punitive adult jail and prisons is contradicted by science,” Yeary said. “Research into adolescent brain development shows that youth are more likely than adults to be permanently traumatized by the harsh realities of the adult system and are much more likely to respond positively to rehabilitation available from juvenile programs.”

Yeary added, “We are incredibly proud of this partnership and are confident that trauma-informed therapy and counseling will have a profound effect on our clients and their families. This new resource is one of many first steps toward recognizing that children and young people are deserving of support and second chances.”

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