The Graduate School of Social Work is home to five institutes that engage communities locally, nationally and internationally to develop solutions across a range of practice areas including youth development, homelessness, poverty, family systems and human-animal connection. Students have the opportunity to work directly with institutes and centers throughout their education through field internship placements or research assistance. Governmental and community partners have the opportunity to work with faculty to implement and evaluate their policies, programs and initiatives, increasing their capacity for impact.
GSSW researchers are doing a world of good. Want to know more?
Leaders and researchers at GSSW's institutes and centers execute 45% of our active research projects.
“The Bridge Project represents the best of our community engagement. Since 1991, we have had a partnership with the Denver Housing Authority to implement an evidence-based practice that transforms lives.”
Through evidence-based after-school programming and one-on-one tutoring, the Bridge Project aims to reduce educational barriers and improve academic and behavioral outcomes for youth residing in four of Denver's public housing communities. In partnership with the Denver Housing Authority, thousands of low-income children have gone on to successful, self-sufficient lives and careers because of the Bridge Project.
The Burnes Center on Poverty and Homelessness provides research, policy analysis, program evaluation, technical assistance and data dissemination. It helps those committed to addressing the issue of homelessness review policies, assess and measure impact, determine the best use of resources, and use evidence and data to enhance existing programs as well as inform future policies, services and efforts.
The Butler Institute for Families offers research, evaluation, training and technical assistance to agencies serving children and families across the nation. Through a holistic and customized approach, Butler assists its partners in strengthening and building their evaluation, workforce and implementation capacity, allowing them to better serve their clients and community members.
The Center for Effective Interventions (CEI) works collaboratively with entities interested in promoting emotional and behavioral health and well-being for children, youth and families. CEI supports the development, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based practices. As a leader nationally in the dissemination and implementation field, the current evidence-based practice CEI supports is multi-systemic therapy (MST).
The Institute for Human-Animal Connection (IHAC) intentionally elevates the value of the living world and the interrelationship and health of people, other animals and the environment. This is accomplished through natural and social science-informed education, applied knowledge, research and advocacy, with an ethical regard for all species.
Substance use disorder is a growing societal issue, locally, nationally, and internationally. The Cross-National Behavioral Health Laboratory is working to better understand the issue and move forward with urgency for prevention and intervention.
