Caple, Frances - Oral History Interview - CSWA HD

Frances S. Caple, PhD – Oral History Interview by California Social Welfare Archives (CSWA) Interview by Phyllis Massing, PhD Interview Date: 08/22/2014 An interview with Frances Caple, PhD as she discusses her passion for social work in schools, her career evolution from classroom to associate dean, and the expansion of the School of Social Work. (00:43) Background Information (03:08) Coming to California (04:19) First Job in New York (05:55) Influence on Social Work Career (07:08) Teaching in North Carolina (07:35) Needs of Students (10:12) Jobs in California (11:40) Department of Public Social Services (13:30) Lack of African-American Social Workers (14:02) Investigation Work (14:28) David Miller and Introduction into MSW (16:00) MSW at USC 1969 (18:39) 1973 School of Mental Health Center (21:02) Children’s Centers and Preventative Mental Health (22:13) Doctorate Program (24:08) Social Worker Roots – Working with Families (27:44) Lessons from Grandmother (30:00) Changes in Political Environment (30:35) Negative Culture Around Affirmative Action (33:30) Challenges Faced in Working Environment (35:47) Working with LAUSD (37:36) Doctoral Program (38:02) Job with USC – School of Social Work Program (39:45) Research Assistant – Medical Intern Development (42:40) Field Instructor – Mental Health & School of Social Work (45:38) Position on Experience Gained Working with Schools (47:43) Leaving the Classroom for Administration (50:08) Evolution of Becoming Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs (53:10) 2nd Attempt at Retirement (54:04) Reflections on School of Social Work once Retired (55:30) Bigger Picture (56:00) Online Programs for Social Work (58:50) Back to Work – Mental Health for CalWorks (01:01:25) Parents’ Mental Health Barriers & Jobs (01:03:16) Working with ASW’s (01:05:42) 6th Retirement Plan – Family Life (01:07:00) Mentoring (01:08:24) Advice for Future Social Workers The California Social Welfare Archives (CSWA), established in 1979, is a non-profit organization operating under the auspices of the USC School of Social Work and affiliated with the University Libraries. It collects and preserves documents and personal histories of significant contributors to the evolution of social welfare ensuring their availability to future generations – students, teachers, historians, and researchers. Collection activity includes gathering and archiving social welfare materials of historical significance, conducting oral history interviews with contributors to social welfare solutions in California, and creating events to publicly recognize significant contributors to California social welfare. Visit us at http://www.usc.edu/cswa and http://www.socialworkhallofdistinction.org