Project Access Expands Partnership with USC

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., August 12, 2013 – Project Access, a leading provider of vital health, education and employment services for families, children and seniors living in low-income housing communities in California and Colorado, has recently expanded its partnership with the University of Southern California (USC) to become an official teaching institution.

The university gave a stipend of $25,000 to the Newport Beach, California-based nonprofit organization to support the teaching institution collaboration that brings together student learning, agency development and university research.

As a field placement agency for USC Master in Social Work (MSW) students, 20 interns will provide 900 hours of services at Project Access Resource Centers in one academic calendar year.

Some of these interns will be enrolled in the online MSW program and can be placed in any of the 13 counties that Project Access serves. These students will provide case management services to those residents who need more support and serve as an overall program aid.

As a teaching institution, Project Access will also collaborate with USC social scientists to use data and research to increase their social impact. Current research projects include asset mapping to spatially plot local resources, such as food banks and parks, for more effective program planning. A longitudinal study will also be undertaken to measure the impact of services on health and educational and family stability outcomes for families.

“We are happy to expand our partnership with USC as it adds much needed intensive services for those families and individuals who need more support,” said Project Access CEO Kristin Byrnes. “We thank the university for its generous donation.”

The 49 resource centers operated by Project Access foster a culture of change by assisting residents from a broad range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds to improve their lives through education, employment, wellness and financial capability, among other programs.

LINK TO PRESS RELEASE DOCUMENT.