Monica Faulkner, Ph.D. LMSW, Director
“When I sit back and look at everything we have done in five 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 and the Director of the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing at the School of… 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 »
Laura Marra, MSSW, Senior Research Coordinator
“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, program implementation, and evaluation of projects related to child welfare and child well-being. Her professional research interest includes the application of advanced data analysis and assessment to gain… Read more »
Shannon Mann-Butler, MSSW, MAC, Senior Operations & Development Coordinator
“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 responsible for overseeing programs and training hosted by the Institute. Shannon’s role includes program development, outreach, volunteer and mentor coordination, and collaboration efforts on campus and in the community…. Read more »
Tina Adkins, Ph.D., Research Associate
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 counselor and then specialize in attachment and child development. She went to London to learn about cutting edge child welfare interventions and obtained two of her degrees from… Read more »
Patrick Tennant, Ph.D., LMFT-Associate, Research Associate
“I feel very fortunate to be able to work with such an incredible staff on projects that I believe will positively impact our community.” Patrick completed his MS in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2011 and enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin en route to his Ph.D. in Human Development & Family… 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 »
Swetha Nulu, MPH, Research Coordinator
“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 »
Kate McKerlie, MSSW, MPH, Communications Coordinator
“We are a collaborative team here at TXICFW, where we utilize each other’s strengths to strive towards a shared vision of promoting the wellbeing of children and their families.” Kate maintains TXICFW’s communications such as the website, e-newsletter, promotional print materials and social media platforms. She assists the TXICFW staff disseminate their research to the public… Read more »