Wayne State University is a nationally recognized, premier urban research university. The Wayne State School of Social Work supports research through its work in the Center for Social Work Research. Since 2008, Center faculty and staff have provided a supportive environment for established leaders to expand knowledge in such scholarly domains as aging, child welfare, interpersonal violence, health, behavioral health, prevention and treatment paradigms in substance abuse and mental illness, and other social issues.

In October 2014 we shared our first Policy and Practice Brief and today are proud to share our fourth edition with you. These publications provide an update on the innovative research conducted by Social Work faculty. Erin Comartin, PhD, LMSW, a recent addition to our faculty whose scholarship and research focuses on social welfare policies and interventions for vulnerable populations in the criminal justice system, is highlighted in this publication.

Thank you for your support and for being a part of our continued success. View Policy and Practice Brief #4 here (PDF) and previously published briefs here.