Moritz Center for Societal Impact
moritzcenter.utexas.edu | Elisa Borah, Ph.D., MSW — Director
National Survey Analyzes Artificial Intelligence Use by Social Workers
The Moritz Center conducted the Survey on the Use of AI in Social Work in partnership with the National Association of Social Work. More than 1,000 social workers nationwide responded, with early analysis and publications slated for late spring 2026.
Addiction Research Institute
ari.socialwork.utexas.edu | Kasey Claborn, Ph.D. — Director
TxCOPE Partnership Named 2025 Google Cloud Social Impact Partner of the Year
The Addiction Research Institute (ARI) and its digital partner Eviden received the 2025 Google Cloud Social Impact Partner of the Year Award for Crisis Response and Resilience, recognizing its innovative approach to addressing the opioid crisis.
Health Behavior Research & Training Institute
sites.utexas.edu/hbrt | Mary M. Velasquez, Ph.D. — Director
HBRT, NASW Publish Guide to Help Prevent and Treat Substance-Exposed Pregnancy
The HBRT team published “Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for Risky Alcohol and Other Substance Use: Best Practices for the Prevention and Treatment of Substance-Exposed Pregnancy in Girls and Women of Reproductive Age,” in collaboration with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Institute for Collaborative Health Research & Practice
Lailea Noel, Ph.D. — Director
Institute Director Recognized for Career Achievements in Cancer Care Research
Lailea Noel, director of ICHRP, received the 2025 Association of Oncology Social Work’s Quality of Life in Cancer Care Research Career Award, recognizing her significant contributions and dedication to quality-of-life care for cancer survivors.
Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
sites.utexas.edu/idvsa | Noël Busch-Armendariz, Ph.D., LMSW, MPA — Director
$4.5M in Funding, 3,000+ Trained Through Expert Witness Program
For nearly two decades, IDVSA has advanced safety and justice across Texas through sustained investment in multidisciplinary expert witness training and consultation. State and federal funders have invested more than $4.5 million in the Expert Witness Training Program, training more than 3,000 criminal justice professionals and expert witnesses.
Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness
imvfw.utexas.edu | Elisa Borah, Ph.D., MSW — Director
IMVFW Receives Continued Funding for Suicide Prevention
For a third straight year, IMVFW has received funding to deliver suicide prevention training through its Veteran Spouse Network. Veteran Spouse Network is proud to be among 27 organizations nationwide selected to receive $16.5 million in grants.
Institute for Organizational Excellence
sites.utexas.edu/ioe | Noel Landuyt, Ph.D. — Director
IOE Develops Employee Engagement Surveys for ASL
IOE surveyed over 1 million customers of Texas state services last year and over 200,000 employees, developing new partnerships with several state agencies, new employee engagement insights, and better workforce data.
Texas Center for Disability Studies
sites.utexas.edu/ioe | Sandy Magaña, Ph.D., MSW — Executive Director
Texas Center for Disability Studies is Closing a Critical Gap in Children’s Health Research
Texas Center for Disability Studies researchers tested PODER Familiar, a culturally tailored health education program for Latina caregivers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Caregivers reported stronger confidence in managing their own health, healthier home environments and lower parenting stress, and children in the program showed fewer sleep problems than those in the control group.
Texas Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing
txicfw.socialwork.utexas.edu | Monica Faulkner, Ph.D., LMSW — Director
TXICFW Conducts Evaluation of Foster Angels of Central Texas Scholars
To inform potential program expansion of the Foster Angels of Central Texas (FACT) Scholars program — which provides financial assistance, relational support, mentorship, and career guidance to young people who have experienced foster care — the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing conducted an evaluation that examined program effectiveness, clarified core components, and developed sustainable methods for tracking program outcomes.
Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health
sites.utexas.edu/mental-health-institute | Molly Lopez, Ph.D. and Stacey Stevens Manser, Ph.D. — Co-Directors
Inaugural Summit Strengthens Mental Health and Justice System Collaboration Across Texas
The Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health, in collaboration with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, organized the first-ever statewide conference for the Texas Behavioral Health and Justice Technical Assistance Center. The conference focused on enhancing collaboration between mental health and justice systems.