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Education
PhD, University of Georgia
MSW, Kennesaw State University
BS, Kennesaw State University
About Me
Katherine Crawford was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. She received a BS in psychology in 2005 from Kennesaw State University, a MSW in 2008 from Kennesaw State University, and a PhD in social work in 2016 from University of Georgia.
Crawford’s practice experience includes working with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families; grandparents raising grandchildren; and case management with individuals experiencing homelessness. Her most recent work includes working with the Georgia Public Defender’s Office in Atlanta, GA, where she developed processes for the attorneys to access services and alternatives to incarceration for their clients. These clients presented with a multiplicity of issues ranging from trauma, mental health concerns, substance abuse issues, and medical issues.
Her research agenda focuses on the prevalence and impact of trauma issues among individuals accessing services in the public service system. Her main focus is to understand how to effectively implement and evaluate trauma-informed care practices and other evidence-based practices among organizations and across systems. Additionally, she has an interest in utilizing the collective impact framework that helps cross-sector organizations develop a common agenda and come together to effectively collaborate to address social issues. Crawford is also an evaluator for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Grant project in Athens-Clarke County, GA, which is funded through the U.S. Department of Justice – Bureau of Justice Assistance. This is a cross-sector collaboration of the Athens Clarke-County Police Department and Advantage Behavioral Health Systems that has the overarching goal of diverting individuals with mental health issues from incarceration and connecting them with the appropriate community resources.
Her teaching experience includes teaching courses at both the BSW and MSW level, as well as serving as a field practicum faculty liaison, and as an interim BSW field coordinator. She also served as the program coordinator for a partnership between the University of Georgia’s School of Social Work and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. This was a new initiative aimed at developing and maintaining skilled MSW-level practitioners in Georgia public behavioral health through stipend internship opportunities and supplemental training and support.
Research Interests
trauma issues among individuals accessing services in the public service system