TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama School of Social Work will open its 2003-04 Colloquium Series on Monday, Sept. 15, with guest lecturer Dr. Diane DePanfilis discussing “Working with Families to Prevent Neglect.”

DePanfilis is an associate professor and director of the Institute for Human Service Policy and co-director of the Center for Families at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Her talk and subsequent talks will be held from noon-1 p.m. in 104 Little Hall on the UA campus. The series will continue throughout the academic year with the following speakers:

Oct. 20, Dr. Anthony N. Maluccio, professor and interim chair of the doctoral program at Boston College’s Graduate School of Social Work, will discuss “The Future of Child Welfare: Challenges and Opportunity.”

Nov.10, Dr. Marc Mannes, director of applied research at the Search Institute in Minneapolis, Minn., will discuss “Reinvigorating a Community-Based Approach in Child Welfare.”

Dec. 8, Dr. Duncan Lindsey, professor of social welfare at the School of Public Policy and Social Research, University of California Los Angeles, will discuss “Welfare Reform and Child Poverty.”

The lectures are free and open to the University community and the general public.

For more information, contact the UA School of Social Work at 205/348-3924.