Paul Gebo, Social Work Student

Paul's Bio

Paul is a 2009 MSW graduate of the Jane Addams College of Social Work. He recently completed a dual internship through IDHD: with the Family Clinic, under the supervision of Linda Sandman, LCSW, and with the Community Support Program, under the guidance of Kristen Connolly, MSW. Paul's interests are primarily in the areas of Community Health and Community-Based Participatory Research, and he was particularly pleased to be involved with the Family Support 360 project, developed and overseen by Dr. Tamar Heller and Kristen Connolly, in partnership with Community Support Services, a disability service organization in the western suburbs. Through this experience, Paul developed close contacts with Latino parents of children with developmental disabilities. The work has allowed (and encouraged) him to become more familiar with Latino culture as well as Disability culture, with their myriad intricacies and nuances. Moreover, the experience has served to reinforce the truth of "Cultural Humility," that it is only through knowing, and listening to, individuals that one can understand how best to serve them.

Experience with IDHD

His experience with IDHD and Family Support 360 led to his being invited to participate in a fellowship with the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disability (LEND). LEND is an interdisciplinary program which focuses on work with children with developmental disabilities and their families. IDHD's LEND is particularly concerned with Autism Spectrum Disorders, though much was learned about taking an interdisciplinary approach to serving all persons with disabilities. The collegial relationships formed through this fellowship will doubtless prove invaluable as Paul proceeds along his career path.

Regarding that path, Paul is currently searching for a doctoral program in Social Work. He hopes ultimately to work on international community development, with a focus on health disparities among minority and marginalized populations. While undergoing his search for the right program, he continues to be involved in university research. He is currently assisting Dr. Heller and Kristen Connolly in the development of a journal article describing IDHD's work with Family Support 360. In addition, he expects to begin working for Dr. Aida Giachello, director of the Midwest Latino Health Research, Training and Policy Center at UIC, as an academic assistant.