New Dual Degree Offerings
Six collaborative programs set up MSSW students for success
ANNUAL REPORT
Major partnerships, a new building, and a new strategic plan highlight the future of Texas Social Work
Workforce in Texas Report UT, State of Texas partner to analyze social work needs in Texas
Heart Galleries of Texas Texas Social Work takes on child welfare statewide
“Social workers can impact every aspect of life.”
Social Work Changes Lives
UT Social Work develops leaders and changemakers who help human beings heal, grow, and flourish. Our exceptional faculty, students, staff and alums work hard to make a vital impact as researchers, educators, catalysts and collaborators, whether locally, statewide, nationally, or globally.
As you will read in this annual report, we conduct robust and groundbreaking research, offer innovative learning opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students, and lifelong learners, and we create programs and build partnerships that help improve lives.
Social work researchers, educators, practitioners and leaders understand that when we work together in service of something greater than ourselves and beyond our own interests, people can thrive. Our focus in health and behavioral health, substance misuse, disabilities, aging, children and families, housing, and more helps solve critical problems and strengthens individuals, families and communities so that they thrive.
With strategic partners at UT Austin, including Dell Medical School, the School of Nursing, and the College of Pharmacy, as well as many extramural agencies and organizations, we are well-positioned to remain among the most impactful schools whose thinkers and doers transform lives for the better whether in boardrooms, hospitals, schools, government or non-profit organizations, the military or numerous other settings beyond the Forty Acres.
What happens in UT Social Work helps people live healthier lives marked by meaning and purpose, joy and abundance.
What an exciting time to be a Longhorn doing social work!
Hook ‘Em!
Allan Cole Dean
Dual Degrees Change the World
Six collaborative programs set up MSSW students for success
Workforce Study
UT and State of Texas partnered for a new study on the social work workforce in the Lone Star State
Statistics and information about Texas Social Work's community
A new strategic plan emphasizes behavioral health and global impact at Texas Social Work
Texas Social Work welcomes an all-new, national alumni board
Dean Cole takes on dual role as Deputy for Health Humanities & Technology
UT attracts more funded practicum placements through federal workstudy implementation
Texas Social Work welcomes in Foundation for new partnership
A $12M program with the State of Texas improves adoption systems in Texas
Updates from Texas Social Work's 10 scholarly centers and institutes
A STRATEGIC MOVE TO THE HEART OF CAMPUS
Texas Social Work Takes Major New Step Toward New Permanent Facility
Spaces matter a great deal. A school’s building is a space that, ideally, reflects the school’s culture, values, and missional priorities, as well as its aspirations.
With a new temporary home in the recently renovated Walter Webb Hall, Texas Social Work has a state-of-the-art space that reflects the importance we place on collaboration, community, and partnerships in service to our mission to help transform lives and promote human flourishing.
A Living Room Close to the Heart of Student Life
Step inside Walter Webb Hall on any given afternoon, and you'll find the common area buzzing with activity. Warm sunlight streams through floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of the University's iconic clock tower.
At the heart of it all is an expansive, modern fireplace, flanked by comfortable armchairs, that provides ample seating for relaxed gatherings as well as formal presentations. It feels like Texas Social Work now has a living room close to the heart of student life on campus and steps from faculty and staff.
Students gather in the inviting spaces — marked by spacious, tall tables and cozy booths — to collaborate, study or simply connect. Staff members weave through the open space, stopping for coffee or to collect documents from the printer. Quick, healthy snacks are readily available for students on the go or settling in for a longer study session. Faculty and students gather in this space to reflect on classroom conversations, practicum experiences, and research collaboration.
A World-Class Space for a World-Class School of Social Work
With its modern amenities and dynamic location, life in Walter Webb Hall serves as a prelude for an even brighter, more ambitious and more exciting future: a permanent home on Speedway in the current McCombs School of Business building.
“A leading school of social work needs a top-notch facility for its students, faculty, staff, partners and programs,” said Allan Cole, dean of Texas Social Work. “Our move to Walter Webb Hall is both a significant upgrade in quality and, most importantly, a strategic step for securing an enviable long-term home. We’re just getting started on what a top-of-the-line facility for social work can look like at The University of Texas at Austin.”
A New Opportunity Paves the Way
The move, both into Walter Webb Hall and into the upcoming McCombs building, was made possible through a break-through agreement arranged by Dean Allan Cole and University leadership. In a four-way partnership between Texas Social Work, University of Texas leadership, the McCombs School of Business, and UT Athletics, a multi-win opportunity was created for the Forty Acres.
Under the agreement, the McCombs School will vacate its current space within five years as they move into Mulva Hall. This move makes room for Texas Social Work to move into its permanent home on Speedway in prime real estate. Additionally, by moving into Walter Webb Hall on a temporary basis, Texas Social Work opened up the opportunity for UT Athletics to expand needed facilities to accommodate a growing program.
Under a significant financial agreement with UT Athletics, Texas Social Work negotiated a way for the athletics program to utilize the former social work site. The agreement allowed Texas Social Work to move into Walter Webb Hall on a faster timetable, and secured a multi-million, multi-year deal to fund various initiatives, including faculty, staff, student support, and programs.
More importantly, the agreement allowed for Texas Social Work to open new opportunities with funding and facilities. With new funding and a future building on Speedway that will be large enough to accommodate every member and aspect of the Texas Social Work community faculty, staff, students, research teams, institutes and centers, program offices, classrooms and new initiatives the future for Texas Social Work is bright.
The win-win-win scenario improves facilities, elevates student experiences, and provides a building which reflects Texas Social Work’s culture: one that values of community, collaboration and efforts to transform lives for the better.
“A leading school of social work needs a top-notch facility for its students, faculty, staff, partners and programs.”
–Dean Allan Cole
BY THE
OUR PEOPLE
10
SCHOLARLY CENTERS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS
1IN3 MORE THAN
BSW STUDENTS ARE FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS
7
ACTIVE FACULTY MEMBERS INDUCTED INTO THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL WELFARE
20+
YEARS OF BEING RANKED A TOP 10 SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
6
DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS OFFERED
17
TOTAL SOCIAL WORK PIONEERS INDUCTED BY NASW FOUNDATION
Dual Degrees Change the World
A proud tradition at Texas Social Work is the interdisciplinary nature of research and practice in social work, including majors offered at The University of Texas at Austin.
Several MSSW students are working on dual degrees from Texas Social Work and other colleges, schools and units across the Forty Acres. After pursuing and completing an academically challenging course of study, this cohort is well-positioned to bring a broad and deep level of knowledge through a social work lens to their chosen fields. It’s a powerful combination that helps social workers tackle some of society’s greatest challenges and opportunities and change the world.
In May 2024, Julia Pynes became the first-ever Texas Longhorn to earn a dual MSSW/MBA degree through Texas Social Work and the McCombs School of Business. Pynes earned her LMSW license and now serves as the financial wellness program manager at Foundation Communities in Austin, Texas.
“I am grateful for the guidance I've received from professors at both Texas Social Work and McCombs, as well as leaving with lifelong friends and future colleagues. I look forward to using my degrees towards a career that is focused on advancing justice.” “
Julia Pynes (MBA/MSSW ’24)
Currently, MSSW students are enrolled in one of six dual- degree programs that include:
• MSSW/Master of Public Affairs with LBJ School of Public Affairs
• MSSW/Master of Public Health with Dell Medical School
• MSSW/Master of Divinity with the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
• MSSW/Master of Business Administration with the McCombs School of Business
• MSSW/Juris Doctor with Texas Law
• MSSW/Master of Arts Latin American Studies with the College of Liberal Arts
Additionally, in May 2024, Jaria Martin became the latest Texas Social Work graduate to earn a dual juris doctor degree from Texas Law and a master's in social work. She currently serves as a senior law clerk at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, based in Washington, D.C.
“
“My educational experiences with a degree in family and human services and dual degree JD/MSSW studies lend me a unique perspective on the cross-section of the legal system and social policies.”
Jaria Martin (JD/MSSW ‘24)
”
Job Fair
Students meet with potential social work employers during a career fair in November 2024. A recent study by Texas Social Work, commissioned by the State of Texas, underscored the need for more trained social workers by 2030.
Read the full workforce study online.
2024 TEXAS SOCIAL WORK WORKFORCE STUDY
The Steve Hicks School of Social Work recently published the 2024 Texas Social Work Workforce Study.
The study, conducted at the invitation of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, examines current and projected statewide needs for social workers in behavioral health and identifies strategies to close the gap between the available number of practitioners and the demand for behavioral health services.
Increasing behavioral health conditions in US populations and the larger health implications and increased mortality rates that often accompany those conditions, underscore the importance of social workers and programs to improve mental and behavioral health across the state.
Texas Social Work Releases Strategic Plan
The new Texas Social Work strategic plan serves as a starting point for our school's new initiatives and will continue to evolve as our circumstances change. The plan outlines five strategic priorities that will guide the School:
Research
Advance the field of social work through rigorous and innovative research and scholarship that relates to critical social issues and informs evidence-based practices.
Education
Provide comprehensive and interdisciplinary education that embraces impactful discourse and develops future effective and ethical social work leaders.
Behavioral Health
Develop and model new approaches to health care delivery and access, and create robust research, innovation, education and training.
Community
Utilize advocacy approaches that drive meaningful policy change and include a broad range of perspectives and partners.
Global
Strengthen a global ecosystem dedicated to research and education that fosters intercultural understanding, collaboration and interconnectedness, and addresses international challenges.
Read the full strategic plan online.
Texas Social Work aims to educate and inspire future social work leaders who are committed to advancing society through research, education, advocacy and practice. It strives to make a meaningful difference in people's lives and in the world through innovative teaching, impactful scholarship, and compassionate service.
NEW NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD
The new Steve Hicks School of Social Work Alumni Association Board will help create a more dynamic and engaged alumni community across the nation and will consist of nine alumni members and three University of Texas School of Social Work staff representatives: Director of the DiNitto Career Services Center and Alumni Relations, Executive Director of Development and Constituent Relations, and Director of Marketing and Communication.
ALUMNI BOARD MEMBERS
Amy Mizcles Vice President for Williamson County United Way (Austin, Texas)
Madeline Nassif Director of Development, Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, La.)
Aftyn Behn Tennessee State Representative (Nashville, Tenn.)
Andrea Turnipseed
LCSW-S, Co-Founder, Roots Behavioral Health (Austin, Texas)
Jessica Shahin Former Associate Administrator for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Washington, DC)
Anao Zhang PhD, LCSW, ACSW, OSW-C, ACBT, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan School of Social Work (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Rachael Cayton Barden
LCSW-S (Austin, Texas)
Reginald Smith Executive Director, Credible Messengers United (Houston, Texas)
Grace Farley Community Philanthropy at Every Texan (Austin, Texas)
Dell Medical School Announces New Role with Dean Allan Cole
The Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin introduced Allan Cole as Dell Medical School’s deputy for health humanities and technology.
In this newly created position, Dean Cole will lead efforts to integrate health affairs, the humanities, and health-related technologies on behalf of Dell Med supporting meaningful impact and innovation.
In his role at Dell Med which he holds concurrently with his dean position Dean Cole will collaborate with Claudia F. Lucchinetti, dean of Dell Medical School, in her capacity as UT's senior vice president for medical affairs.
“I am grateful for Dean Lucchinetti’s vision and leadership, and for Texas Social Work's partnership with Dell Medical School, and for our opportunity to be a part of the exciting work that includes health, humanities and technology,” said Cole. “With the development of The University of Texas at Austin Medical Center and a new world-renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center on the Forty Acres, Texas Social Work faculty, staff, and students will be an integral part of both UT Austin and our city becoming the premier destination for health care, health-related research, and health social work.”
Cole will be working closely with Dell Med’s leadership, as well as other campus leaders, on strategic initiatives related especially to artificial intelligence and digital health, implementation science, ethics and bioethics, and patient- and community-centered models of care. This new role strengthens an existing strategic partnership that will also enhance Dell Med’s
important and close connection with Texas Social Work in the areas of behavioral health, mental health, physician well-being and more.
Sarah Sloan, assistant dean for health affairs at Texas Social Work, will work closely with Dean Cole as her role will evolve in supporting existing work in health humanities and technology, and identifying new strategic initiatives.
“With the development of The University of Texas at Austin Medical Center and a new world-renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center on the Forty Acres, Texas Social Work faculty, staff, and students will be an integral part of both UT Austin and our city becoming the premier destination for health care, health-related research and health social work.”
Dean Allan Cole, pictured left, and Sarah Sloan work with Dell Medical School on a variety of projects in health care and social work.
FEDERAL WORK STUDY FUNDING Revolutionizes Practicum Support for Students and Agencies
A
new form of student support at Texas Social Work is opening new avenues for students who are taking on practicum learning.
Federal work study funding (FWS), historically used to support need-based students in exchange for on-campus positions, are now being used to support students in a practicum environment. This new funding allows for more practicum opportunities with social work agencies, more stability for social work students, and more methods of student support from social work education institutions.
Since being introduced at the start of the 2023–24 academic year, more than 150 agencies that partner with Texas Social Work have been trained in how to apply for FWS funds, and more than 50 have successfully used the program.
Approximately one out of four practicum students at Texas Social Work receives federal work study dollars, and more than $325,000 has been dispersed through the program since debuting in 2023.
A Growing Program that Provides Valuable Support
According to Shawn Bailey, work-study employment program director at The University of Texas at Austin, there may be as much as $750,000 dispersed to student support through this model. Bailey also reported that dozens of more agencies are planning to utilize FWS in their practicum placements in the coming months.
At The University of Texas at Austin, the pool of FWS funding provides social work practicum students with
a base payment of up to $3,500 per semester for eligible interns who work in non-profit or public sector internships. Social work faculty and administrators actively reach out to both agencies and students to connect funding opportunities, especially for students who have not yet put in a formal FAFSA filing yet, don’t already have funding sources from the school, or simply have need for additional financial support.
One of those students, Luke Kertcher (MSSW ’24), interned with UT Elementary School under a FWS funding program. The funding from his FWS allowed him to explore multiple practicums in school-based social work settings, which ultimately helped him “develop clinical skills and professional skills while blending clinical and macro practice together.”
Kertcher, who explained that the program was “the most straight-forward” way to secure funding for his education, said he got more choice and opportunity in selecting a practicum thanks to the FWS system.
“There’s always a desire for students like me to go for practicums that offer direct funding or stipends. With federal work study funding, I had a wider playing field of options to consider,” Kertcher said.
“The opportunity with this funding on the two-year full-time graduation track let me do two different practicums in two different schools and prepare me to be the best school social worker I can be.”
Benefits for Students and Instructors
His practicum supervisor, Andrea Menchaca, LMSW, serves as a school social work coordinator for UT Elementary and said the benefits are abundant both for students and for practicum instructors.
Since implementing FWS funding into her practicum program, she said she’s noticed an increase in the total number and quality of practicum. She also said students are “more at ease” when learning at a practicum site because they know they don’t have to worry about a second job or additional funding sources.
“I’ve been supervising internships for a long time, and this is a pioneering opportunity which is making internships better than ever before,” said Menchaca, who supervises social work students from Texas State, St. Edward’s University, Our Lady of the Lake University and other schools in addition to UT. “They deserve to be supported, and everyone benefits from them getting to learn with hands-on experience. We have several students who want to take an internship in a school setting. If we weren’t able to offer the work-study option, it might not be an opportunity for them.”
Rob Thurlow (MSSW ’97), who has supervised practicum students for two decades, echoed that sentiment. Thurlow has been a long-time supervisor at Lifeworks, a non-profit in Austin that for 25 years has run programs focusing on counseling, workforce, education, and housing, with a primary focus on ending youth homelessness.
Lifeworks historically has offered a stipend to practicum students, but with the addition of FWS funding, the organization can increase the number of students they bring in for practicum opportunities and create a more financially fair support system for students who receive funding. Lifeworks typically brings on between two to seven students each semester, and in recent times, every single student taking a practicum at Lifeworks has qualified for FWS.
“We want to select the same caliber of student across the board,” said Thurlow. “With the federal work study dollars, we can bring in additional students on a stipend. We’re deeply grateful for this program and we will absolutely continue to use it going forward as it builds our next generation of skilled social workers.”
Preparing Students for Careers in Social Work
That next generation is now out in the world, equipped with knowledge and prepared to do the hard work of social work. Kertcher, who was one of the first students to receive FWS dollars at Texas Social Work, now works as a teacher coach and social worker in Manor ISD, just outside of Austin. He credits his practicum for the reason he felt ready to take on the role.
“Being in a practicum is what took my social work understanding to the next level, and federal work study funding is what let me do it in a setting I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to,” said Kertcher. “I felt so supported during my practicum, and I’m a better social worker because of it.”
Shawn Bailey
Luke Kertcher
Andrea Menchaca
Rob Thurlow
The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
A Legacy of Innovation and Impact
In Summer 2024, the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health formally became part of the UT Social Work, further solidifying the work of both institutions.
As a part of Texas Social Work, the Foundation and its $230 million endowment continue to advance social work education and practice to improve mental and behavioral health for all Texans. Closer collaboration will give Texas Social Work students a deeper understanding of the interaction of public policy and social work while providing the Foundation an informed perspective on the practical applications of social work.
Mission-Oriented From the Beginning
Ima Hogg and her siblings created the Hogg Foundation in 1940 with the stated aim of supporting mental health services and initiatives in Texas. That mission remains central today as the Hogg Foundation has a proven track record of working toward improvements in mental health funding, education and public policy.
For more about the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health and its role in the State of Texas, scan the QR code above.
During the early 1900s, the mental hygiene movement advanced a public health perspective on mental well-being. The Hogg Foundation emerged as a key leader in Texas when a small but dedicated group of mental health experts traveled to all the state’s 254 counties lecturing and advising groups in large cities as well as unincorporated rural areas. These speakers came to view themselves, half-jokingly, as “circuit riders,” evoking the itinerant ministers of earlier periods in American history. Dr. William Bush's book, “Circuit Riders for Mental Health: The Hogg Foundation in Twentieth Century Texas,” provides a closer look at these efforts to combat stigma, enhance mental health awareness, reform the state hospital system and promote community-based mental health services.
In the early years, the Foundation focused on improving mental health facilities and promoting better standards of care across the state. The Shame of Texas campaign was a concerted push by the foundation to draw attention to the state’s underfunded and inhumane state psychiatric
Dr. Octavio Martinez, executive director of the Hogg Foundation, came to Walter Webb Hall to participate in the Fall 2024 Fireside Chat. His conversation included how social work plays a critical role in mental health and how Texas Social Work will partner with the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health on future initiatives. hospitals. Those efforts led to significant reform measures, including the landmark Texas Mental Health Code that established basic rights and protections for state hospital patients.
Addressing Contemporary Challenges
Today, the Hogg Foundation continues to focus on public health while addressing contemporary challenges in mental health and with new alignment under Texas Social Work, the Foundation is stronger than ever as it leads on tackling these opportunities.
The Foundation is led by Dr. Octavio N. Martinez Jr., MD, MPH, who became the Foundation’s fifth executive director in 2008. Under his leadership, the Foundation has made considerable strides in advancing mental health concepts and support systems, specifically in recovery and upstream community-led solutions. Examples include the Foundation’s involvement in the recent Austin State Hospital redesign, and the Reliable Flexible Funding initiative.
“Our goal is to not only address immediate needs but also pave the way for long-term systemic changes,” said Dr. Martinez. “By working closely with community partners and leveraging new research, we can create a more integrated and responsive mental health system.”
2025 and Beyond
The Hogg Foundation’s commitment to mental health continues to drive its mission. With ongoing projects and new initiatives on the horizon, the Foundation remains dedicated to fostering an environment where mental health is prioritized and integrated into all aspects of community life. Near-term initiatives and goals include the full integration of the Texas Grants Resource Center into the Foundation’s
strategic plan and the relaunch of the Foundation’s signature event, the Robert Lee Sutherland Seminar, in September of 2025.
The integration of Texas Social Work and the Hogg Foundation also is a fundamental part of its new mission. In support of the new partnership, Stacey Jordan was named assistant vice president for interdepartmental affairs, effective Nov. 1, 2024. In this role, Jordan will lead efforts to ensure alignment and integration of the Hogg Foundation and Texas Social Work’s projects, work, and mission. She will also continue serving the school as assistant dean for administration and planning, and as a clinical assistant professor.
“Our work is far from finished,” Dr. Martinez said. “We are committed to continuing our efforts to innovate, collaborate, and advocate for mental health. The challenges may evolve, but our dedication to creating a more equitable and effective mental health system will remain steadfast. We look forward to working with Texas Social Work to nurture a new generation of social workers equipped to lead with compassion, advocate for justice, and enhance the mental and behavioral health of our communities.”
Heart Galleries of Texas Changes Lives
In Texas, nearly 6,000 children in the foster care system await permanent families many facing extended waiting periods due to age, family circumstances or medical complexities.
In a partnership with Texas Social Work, its research institutions and scholarly centers, and the Heart Galleries of Texas, successful adoption programs are now being scaled state-wide.
The Heart Galleries of Texas is a collaboration between the Moritz Center for Societal Impact, located within Texas Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin, the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing, also located within Texas Social Work, and the Texas Center for Child and Family Studies, a non-profit supporting organization of the Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services.
At Heart Galleries of Texas, the process starts with a picture. Behind each case file is a future artist, athlete, scholar and everything in between who may be just one connection away from thriving. A beautifully captured professional portrait connects children and youth in the foster care system with adults, friends and communities, including potential adoptive families.
From there, the organization focuses on bringing communities together to build permanency for children, youth and families. Ultimately, Heart Galleries of Texas seeks to decrease the number of children raised in systems by increasing support for families.
Since opening its doors to the Central Texas region in 2014, the organization has connected more than 400 children with a caring family. The Central Texas region now boasts a 16% higher adoption rate than the rest of the state of Texas.
That program expanded to the rest of the state thanks to an infusion of $12 million from the Texas Legislature, with the support of the Texas Women’s Commission, the Office of the Speaker, and the Office of the First Lady, with the goal of establishing Heart Gallery programs in each of the 11 child welfare regions in the state.
On May 15, 2024, the opening of the Southeast region of the Heart Gallery marked the completion of that initial goal, supported by welfare advocate Kim Phelan, her husband and former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, and Cecilia Abbott, First Lady of Texas.
Allan Cole, dean of Texas Social Work, sees an ethical approach clearly in the work of the Heart Galleries of Texas that connects social work’s mission with significant legislative priorities and impact from The University of Texas at Austin.
“We talk about changing lives, but sometimes I think the language should be that we’re saving lives,” Cole said. “It’s really a miraculous situation for these children. People from other states are calling and talking about it. This can be a model for many, many states.”
By the end of 2025, in addition to statewide program support, the Heart Galleries will focus on providing support and training to local Heart Gallery leaders, caregivers, and child welfare professionals. Texas Social Work will continue to provide resources and assistance in this partnership to ensure social workers play a leading role in this work.
Heart Galleries of Texas, with their success rate of adoption placements, worked with Texas Social Work to establish Heart Gallery programs in each of the 11 child welfare regions in the State of Texas.
“It’s really a miraculous situation for these children. People from other states are calling and talking about it. This can be a model for many, many states.”
Kori Gough, director of the Heart Galleries of Texas, presents updates to the Texas Social Work community during the Spring Research Showcase.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Moritz Center for Societal Impact
moritzcenter.utexas.edu
Elisa Borah, Ph.D., MSW Director
$5 Million Gift Spurs Community Investments
A significant gift helped launch the Good Neighbors Program and the Projects for Societal Impact two sets of programs which funded community-driven projects and community-partnered research.
Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness
imvfw.utexas.edu
Elisa Borah, Ph.D., MSW Director
Institute for Organizational Excellence
sites.utexas.edu/ioe
Noel Landuyt, Ph.D. Director
IMVFW Recognized for Excellence in Service
The Texas Suicide Prevention Council honored the Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness with their 2024 Outstanding Military & Veteran Partner award, recognizing tireless efforts to develop evidence-based approaches that support the unique needs of military families and veterans navigating life's transitions.
IOE Conducts Employee Engagement Research for State Agencies
In collaboration with state agencies such as the Texas Water Development Board and Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, IOE conducted research and provided research findings to state employers about organizational goals, mental health initiatives, and employee wellness.
Texas Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing
txicfw.socialwork.utexas.edu
TXICFW Receives $5 Million to Study Foster Care
Systems
The Texas Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to evaluate health interventions in the foster care system in three states.
Monica Faulkner, Ph.D., LMSW Director Addiction
Research Institute
ari.socialwork.utexas.edu
Kasey Claborn, Ph.D. Director
Big Texas Rally for Recovery Reaches 15 Cities
The Addiction Research Institute's signature event celebrating recovery reached 15 cities, hosting rallies that brought together thousands in the recovery community. These gatherings provide critical visibility, reduce stigma, and connect people with life-changing resources.
Health Behavior Research & Training Institute
sites.utexas.edu/hbrt
Mary M. Velasquez, Ph.D. Director
$5.5 Million in New Grants Expands Behavioral Health Research
The Health Behavior Research & Training Institute welcomed Danielle Parrish, (Ph.D. '08), MSW, who brought five research grants totaling more than $5.5 million. This significant investment expands the institute's capacity to develop and test interventions that address complex behavioral health challenges affecting vulnerable populations
Research Highlights
(continued)
Institute for Collaborative Health Research & Practice
sites.utexas.edu/ichrp
Lailea Noel, Ph.D. Director
Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
sites.utexas.edu/idvsa
Noël Busch-Armendariz, Ph.D., LMSW, MPA Director
Texas Center for Disability Studies
sites.utexas.edu/ioe
Sandy Magaña, Ph.D., MSW Executive Director
Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health
sites.utexas.edu/mental-health-institute
Molly Lopez, Ph.D. Director
Pilot Study Addresses Rural Cancer Survivor Support Gaps
The Institute for Collaborative Health Research & Practice partnered with the American Cancer Society and Dell Medical School to support cancer survivors in rural communities. This study looks at the unique barriers rural Texans face in accessing comprehensive cancer care.
Criminal Justice Education Project Strengthens Survivor Advocacy
The Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault launched a new initiative, sponsored by the Texas Office of the Governor, that educates criminal justice professionals and community leaders. This program builds a network of informed advocates who can better support survivors.
New Postdoctoral Program Focuses on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The Texas Center for Disability Studies has established a postdoctoral program dedicated exclusively to research on intellectual and developmental disabilities.
$1.6 Million Grant Extends Critical School Mental Health Project
The Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health secured $1.6 million from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to continue its vital work supporting mental health initiatives in schools. This extension ensures that more Texas students will have access to the mental health resources they need to thrive.
Recent Major Gifts
Center for Societal Impact Named for Moritz Family
The Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin renamed its newest research and scholarly center as the Moritz Center for Societal Impact, thanks to a significant gift from Leslie B. and John David Moritz. The funding will help support the center’s groundbreaking work across critical social work disciplines that will affect the everyday lives of people in Texas and beyond.
The Moritz family’s generous gift provides financial support for UT students and faculty members. This support will occur through a fellowship program, a summer-intensive research program focused on faculty collaborations with students and community stakeholders, and other initiatives aimed at helping solve critical social problems.
Estate of Dr. David H. Johnson Creates New Endowed Professorship in Social Work
A significant gift from the estate of Dr. David H. Johnson, a graduate of The University of Texas School of Social Work’s doctoral program, created the newest endowed professorship at the school and provide new scholarship funding for its doctoral students.
An additional gift from Dr. Johnson’s estate will initially be utilized to help fund doctoral students engaging in research and study on a global scale. Subsequently, this gift may be used in support of a wider range of interests and opportunities in the doctoral program.
Jas Sethi Honors Sister’s Life with an Endowed Scholarship
To support students interested in careers helping those with substance use disorders, Jas Sethi created the Simran Sethi Memorial Scholarship in Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin’s Steve Hicks School of Social Work.
Named after his sister, Simran, who was lost to suicide at age 19, Jas’ work supports the future of social workers who are often the first line of care providers for people with substance use disorders and mental illness. Students at Texas Social Work are taught a patient-centered approach one that considers the interaction of people and their environments. Additionally, researchers at the Steve Hicks School have recently engaged in nearly 200 projects focused on mental health issues and substance use disorders, from prevention to recovery.
306 Inner Campus Drive, Ste. 2.200 Stop D3500 Austin, TX 78705
socialwork.utexas.edu
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Dean Allan Cole
Jane Kovacs
Art Design
Think Horse Studios
