AOSW has received funding from Medivation for a research project focused on identifying the needs of oncology social workers (OSWs) to better provide services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) cancer patients, survivors and their families (broadly defined). This population is understudied in all areas (such as risk factors for disease, disease prevalence, medical and psychosocial care).

Research Project
AOSW plans to award a grant of up to $25,000 to support a two-part project that focuses 1) on potential gaps in training, skills and knowledge for practitioners to provide individual, couple and family support for LGBTQ with prostate cancer and their families/support systems and 2) develop educational materials both for the practitioner (social worker, nurses, physicians) and patients regarding the psychosocial needs around the diagnosis and treatment.

Research Project
AOSW plans to award a grant of up to $25,000 to support a two-part project that focuses 1) on potential gaps in training, skills and knowledge for practitioners to provide individual, couple and family support for LGBTQ with prostate cancer and their families/support systems and 2) develop educational materials both for the practitioner (social worker, nurses, physicians) and patients regarding the psychosocial needs around the diagnosis and treatment.

Timeline
All proposals are due March 15, 2016 and should be sent via email to Vicki Loise, AOSW Executive Director at vloise@aosw.org.
 
The LGBTQ Project Proposal Evaluation committee will evaluate the applications and determine who will receive the award no later than April 11, 2016. Members of the evaluation committee include:

• Penelope Damaskos, PhD, LCSW-R, OSW-C
• Julianne Oktay, MSW, PhD
• Sophia Smith, PhD
• Yvette Colon, PhD, MSW
• Vicki Loise, CMP, CAE