Monica Faulkner, Ph.D. LMSW, Director
“When I sit back and look at everything we have done in nine years, I feel immensely proud, not of the volume of the work, but the impact that we have made.” Dr. Monica Faulkner is a Research Associate Professor at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin… Read more »
Beth Gerlach, Ph.D., LCSW, Associate Director
“I love that TXICFW embraces a team approach to research and program development. I think one reason our institute is successful is because we collaborate, communicate, and support one another.” Dr. Gerlach is the Associate Director of the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing. She combines her research training with her clinical social work… Read more »
Tina Adkins, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor
Dr. Tina Adkins is a Research Assistant Professor with the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing and is also the Director of the Sue Fairbanks Psychoanalytic Academy. Dr. Adkins has worked her entire career in the field of child welfare. She began as a Child Protective Services worker and went on to become a… Read more »
Jolynne Batchelor, Ph.D., LCSW, Research Associate
“I’m very happy to be working among amazing scholars who share my social work values and where everyone is dedicated to advancing compassionate practice and research with the most vulnerable children and families in Texas.” Jolynne Batchelor, PhD, is a Research Associate with the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing and Director of the… Read more »
Laura Marra, MSSW, Research Director
“It’s exciting to come to work every day knowing that I am part of a dynamic team that values the work we do.” Laura oversees research design, implementation, and program evaluation for projects focused on child wellbeing, family resilience, adoption, permanency, and child care. Her professional research interests include: 1) building evidence-based models of support… Read more »
Shannon Mann-Butler, MSSW, MAC, Program & Training Director
“I have a passion for helping people and nonprofit organizations to maximize strengths and opportunities, and to thrive in an environment of change.” Shannon is the Program & Training Director at the institute. Shannon’s role includes program management & development, outreach and collaboration efforts on campus and in the community, and volunteer and student… Read more »
Kate McKerlie, MSSW, MPH, Communications Director
“We are a collaborative team here at TXICFW. We utilize each other’s strengths and support each other through opportunities for growth while always striving towards a shared vision of promoting the wellbeing of children and families.” Kate McKerlie, MSSW, MPH is currently the Communications Director at the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing at… Read more »
Swetha Nulu, MPH, Assistant Director of Research
“It’s exciting to work with staff who are passionate about applying innovative strategies to improve community health.” Swetha conducts program evaluation activities, which include study design, data analysis, report writing, and coordination related to child well-being. She has a passion for issues related to health care policy and community health access. Previous research experience includes… Read more »
Barbara Ball, Ph.D., LPC-AT, Senior Research Associate
“I am passionate about developing and coordinating research and programs at the community level so that children and youth have the opportunity to develop positive relationships, succeed academically and live healthy lives.” Dr. Ball is a Senior Research Associate at the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing at the School of Social Work and… Read more »
Sharon Hoefer, MSSW, TFYHI Project Manager
“I am thrilled to be part of the TXICFW team’s commitment to producing meaningful work that directly contributes to the well-being of families and communities.” Sharon has worked directly with survivors of interpersonal violence as a case manager and support group facilitator, and with children and young adults in a variety of settings including violence… Read more »
Corey Granstrand, Research Operations Coordinator
“I am honored to be part of a team with a mission that matters. My goal is to keep the day-to-day operations of the Institute humming so that our research and training groups can focus on the important work they do. Corey was born and raised in Washington State and has called Austin home since… Read more »
Macy Margolin, MSSW, Operations Coordinator
“What really inspires me about the institute is the opportunity to collaborate on projects that seek to understand and transform some of our most important social systems.” Macy grew up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. She studied ecology and plant science at Colorado College and has a BA in Biology. Macy has worn many… Read more »
Allie Long, Digital Communications Coordinator
“I am inspired by our team’s commitment to exploring the intersection of creative communication and cutting edge social welfare research as a means to advocate for practitioners directly impacting the lives of children and families.” Allie is responsible for creating and disseminating digital content for the Institute’s communications department. This takes the form of website… Read more »
Christopher Ayala, Communications Specialist
“It’s a privilege to be able to work for an institute with a team that is so passionate and strives for the wellbeing of children and families through research. My goal as a Communications Specialist is to help convey messages and content that are intentional and beneficial to our audience, while analyzing their effectiveness through… Read more »
Samantha Zuniga Thompson, LCSW-S, Program Specialist
“I’m excited to work in a place that values and promotes the integration of research into social work practice. TXICFW understands the importance of supporting clinicians in providing effective and informed services to children and families. I’m excited to be a part of this team and continue to support programs and research that benefits children… Read more »
Cassandra Mendoza, MA, Curriculum & Training Specialist
“I am developing ‘The TX Social Work Child Welfare Academy,’ the capacity building arm of the Texas Permanency Outcomes Project in an effort to improve the safety, permanency, and wellbeing for children and families involved in the child welfare system.” Cassandra has multiple years of experience working with Black and Latinx families in urban settings,… Read more »
Tymothy Belseth, MA, Research Coordinator
“I’m on a quest to find the formula for success for children and youth in foster care, and I know that TXICFW will make enormous contributions in improving the foster care experience.” Tymothy Belseth is a research coordinator with the Texas Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing. Tymothy is passionate about foster care and the… Read more »
Anna Wasim, LMSW, Research Coordinator
“I really enjoy how our team approaches complex topics with a spirit of creative problem-solving and critical thinking. It’s a privilege to join a team that is committed to quality, applied research that serves our communities.” Anna is a Research Coordinator with the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing. Her scholarship focuses on emerging… Read more »
Kaitlyn Doerge, MSSW, Research Coordinator
“I love that the Institute focuses on a range of issues that impact health and social outcomes for children and families – from early adversity and child abuse prevention to outcomes for post-adopt families and young adults aging out of foster care, this team is promoting improvements and best practices across a broad spectrum.” Kaitlyn… Read more »
Stephanie Holmes, LMSW, Program Specialist
“I couldn’t be prouder to work amongst these scholars and masters of their craft. We are humbly working toward a greater good for children and families involved in circumstances often beyond what’s commonly imaginable. Thanks, TXICFW, for having me along on the journey.” Stephanie has over 16 years of experience in child welfare, with a… Read more »
Ana Vidina Hernández, MSSW, MA, Program Coordinator
“I appreciate the care, thoughtfulness, and compassion that everyone at TXICFW brings to their work. I am excited to be a part of an institute that values research-practice connections and works toward tangible positive change.” Ana is the Program Coordinator of Girasol at TXICFW. Ana is a native Austinite with a Bachelor of Arts in… Read more »