The mission of the MU School of Social Work is to promote leadership for social and economic justice by preparing students for professional excellence and leadership in practice, research, and policy. The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. To that end, many of our faculty conduct their research, training, and service activities in the community. These projects reflect the face of the School of Social Work in the community. We value these efforts and the direct impact they make on the lives of individuals we seek to serve.
Integrative Behavioral Health Clinic (IBHC)
The Integrative Behavioral Health Clinic (IBHC) is a student facilitated integrative behavioral health clinic at the Family Impact Center (FIC) whose mission is to address disparities in the availability of comprehensive mental health care for people who are uninsured or unable to afford healthcare in order to improve quality of life, reduce distressing symptoms, and increase access. Professor Danielle Easter and Dr. Kelli Canada are the co-directors of the IBHC.
Family Access Center for Excellence (FACE) of Boone County
The Family Access Center for Excellence (FACE) of Boone County is a cross-sector implementation center aimed at providing a coordinated, transparent, and collaborative approach to improving access to quality mental health services for families with children (aged 0-19). The center provides quality assessment, non-conflicted case management, and community-based referrals to identify and meet the needs of families of Boone County. In addition to providing school-based and community-based services, FACE aims to support local government and private providers.
Center for Criminal and Juvenile Justice Priorities
In 2018, Drs. Clark Peters and Kelli Canada established MU’s first center on criminal and juvenile justice. The Center for Criminal and Juvenile Justice Priorities (CCJJP) is an interdisciplinary center of scholars and community stakeholders committed to creating and disseminating research, education, and training for practitioners, policy makers, people with lived experience, and people at risk of justice involvement. It is a resource for criminal and juvenile justice research, intervention, training, and education for the state. Faculty affiliated with the CCJJP collaborate with community providers, the courts, state agencies, and academic institutions across the world. Learn more about CCJJP projects, faculty affiliates and ways to get involved.
The Prison Research Innovation Network (PRIN)
Improving the living and working conditions of prison
In 2020, a University of Missouri research team led by Dr. Kelli Canada and the Missouri Department of Corrections were selected by the Urban Institute to receive funding from Arnold Ventures to improve the living and working conditions of prison using community-engaged research. Missouri was one of five teams along with Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, and Vermont selected for the four-year project. Dr. Canada’s research team includes Drs. Beth Huebner (UMSL), Ashley Givens (MU), and Janet Garcia-Hallett (University of New Haven) along with several doctoral students in social work and criminology.
Researchers are working with the Moberly Correctional Center to pilot innovations developed in collaboration with staff and people who are incarcerated with the intent to expand innovations statewide. Researchers also work closely with the PRIN Executive Committee, comprised of leadership from the governor and attorney general’s offices, Department of Corrections leadership, relevant legislative leadership, and representation of current and/or formerly incarcerated individuals.