Research Projects

Research projects at the School of Social Welfare work towards advancing the science & knowledge base of social work through collaboration, curriculum, scholarship & research

Children & Families

Promoting child & family well-being through prevention, intervention & system change

children

Featured Researchers

Current Research Projects

  • Evaluation Services for Kansas Family First Prevention Services

    • PI: Byers, Kaela; Co-PIs: Akin, Becci; & Mendenhall, Amy; Gartska, Teri; & Barton, Jared • Sponsor: Kansas Department for Children and Families • Dates: 10/01/2019 - 6/30/2023

  • Fatherhood – Family-focused, Interconnected, Resilient & Essential (Fatherhood …

    • PI: Barton, J.; Co-PIs: Byers, K. & Akin, B. • Sponsor: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Office of Family Assistance • Dates: 10/1/2020-9/30/2025

  • Examination & Predictors of Youth Absent from Care

    • PI: Byers, Kaela; Co-PIs: Barton, Jared & Akin, Becci • Sponsor: TFI Family Services, Inc. • Dates: 9/1/2020-8/31/2021

  • KinVest

    • PI: Akin, Becci; Co-PIs: Brown, Amanda & Byers, Kaela • Sponsor: U.S. HHS's Administration for Children and Families • Dates: 10/1/2021-9/29/2026

  • Missouri Safe Sleep Initiative

    • PI: Naemi Jimenez, Pegah; Co-PIs: Barton, Jared & Byers, Kaela • Sponsor: Missouri Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) • Dates: 10/1/21-6/30/25

  • Universal Prevention for Strong and Thriving Families (Family Strong)

    • PI: Byers, Kaela; Co-PIs: Cizek, Megan; Barton, Jared; Grube, Whitney; & Akin, Becci • Sponsor: U.S. DHHS Administration for Children and Families Children’s Bureau • Dates: 10/1/2021-9/29/2026

  • Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Initiative

    • PI: Barton, Jared; Co-PI: Byers, Kaela • Sponsor: Missouri Children's Trust Fund • Dates: 4/1/21-12/31/25

Health Equity

Supporting access, equity & quality in health service delivery & outcomes

doctor visit

Featured Researchers

Current Research Projects

  • Cervical Cancer Prevention among Survivors of Partner Violence: Technological I…

    • PI: Bagwell-Gray, Meredith • Sponsor: KU Research • Dates: 7/1/20-6/20/2022

  • Health, Food & Family:

    • PI: Holmes, Cheryl • Sponsor: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

  • Survivor Link

    • Enhancing the Public Health Response to Domestic Violence in the Context of COVID-19 • PI: Bagwell-Gray, Meredith • Sponsor: Public Health AmeriCorps • Dates: 8/1/2022-7/31/2023

Mental & Behavioral Health

Advancing mental, emotional & behavioral health across the lifespan

mental behavioral health

Featured Researchers

Current Research Projects

  • Child & Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale Third Party Review

    • PI: Mendenhall, A.N. • Dates: 09/01/18 to 12/31/21

    Social & Economic Justice

    Working towards social & economic justice across individuals & systems

    KU ally image

    Featured Researchers

    Current Research Projects

    • Heartland Sexual Assault Policies & Prevention on Campuses Project

      • PI: Doan, A; Co-PIs: Carlson, J. M. and Mabachi, N. • Sponsor: US Department of Health & Human Services

    • Understanding 12-Step Involvement among Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals

      • PI: McGeough, Briana • Sponsor: NIH, National Institute of Alcoholism & Alcohol Abuse • Dates: 09/01/19 to 12/31/20

    • Understanding SMART Recovery

      • PI: McGeough, Briana • Sponsor: University of Kansas New Faculty General Research Fund • Dates: 01/01/21 to 12/31/22

    Older Adults

    Advancing quality of life & community integration for older adults

    older adults

    Featured Researchers

    Current Research Projects

    • Sexual Competency, Policy, and Practices in Long-Term Care Settings for Older A…

      • PI: Jen, S. • Sponsor: University of Kansas Office of Research • Dates: 11/25/2019 - 11/25/2022

    • Psychosocial Adjustment Coping

      • PI: Jen, S. • Sponsor: Leo and Anne Albert Family Trust/ KU

    Social Welfare Research