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Florida State University\u2019s College of Social Work is launching the Justice and Health Innovation Research Institute under the leadership of founding director Tanya Renn.\t\t<\/p>\n\t\tFlorida State University\u2019s College of Social Work is launching the Justice and Health Innovation Research Institute under the leadership of founding director Tanya Renn.\t\t<\/p>\n
The College of Social Work<\/a>\u00a0at Florida State University is\u00a0establishing\u00a0the Justice and Health Innovation Research\u00a0Institute\u00a0(JHI)\u00a0to\u00a0address disparities between the justice system and the fields of behavioral health and substance abuse care.\u00a0<\/p>\n The institute\u00a0will\u00a0draw\u00a0from the\u00a0college\u2019s\u00a0legacy\u00a0of scholarship and instruction in substance use, behavioral\u00a0health\u00a0and criminal justice.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe are\u00a0eager to improve health outcomes\u00a0and community partnerships that are essential to\u00a0advancing\u00a0regional and national health landscapes,\u201d\u00a0reflected\u00a0David Springer<\/a>, dean of the College of Social Work. \u201cThis\u00a0institute tangibly demonstrates the core mission and values of the social work profession while embracing a multidisciplinary approach in order to transform lives and strengthen\u00a0communities.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe are eager to improve health outcomes and community partnerships that are essential to advancing regional and national health landscapes. This\u00a0institute tangibly demonstrates the core mission and values of the social work profession while embracing a multidisciplinary approach in order to transform lives and strengthen\u00a0communities.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014 David Springer, dean of the College of Social Work<\/p>\n Tanya Renn<\/a>,\u00a0an\u00a0associate\u00a0professor\u00a0at\u00a0the College of Social\u00a0Work,\u00a0will\u00a0serve as\u00a0JHI\u2019s founding director, bringing\u00a0expertise\u00a0in substance use, health and well\u2011being\u00a0and justice research.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBy combining expertise in behavioral health with a deep understanding of justice-involved populations, the institute aims to create pathways of recovery and resilience that honor lived experience, disrupt cycles of justice involvement\u00a0and foster thriving communities,\u201d\u00a0Renn said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The institute\u2019s mission is built upon an\u00a0integrated approach to:\u00a0<\/p>\n Address substance use, mental\u00a0health\u00a0and justice involvement, requiring systems-level responses that confront inequality, restore\u00a0dignity\u00a0and ensure people have access to the support and opportunities to thrive.\u00a0<\/p>\n Advance\u00a0knowledge with\u00a0a\u00a0particular emphasis on evidence-based translational research and interventions\u00a0in underserved settings and populations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Reflect a holistic vision for advancing health and justice in tandem.\u00a0<\/p>\n Use science to improve the well-being of individuals,\u00a0families\u00a0and communities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n As the institute launches, it will be supported by\u00a0Stephen Tripodi<\/a>,\u00a0a\u00a0professor at the College of Social Work and\u00a0doctoral program\u00a0director,\u00a0and\u00a0Program Director\u00a0Kerensa Lockwood.<\/a>\u00a0Additional\u00a0faculty whose research aligns with the mission of\u00a0JHI\u00a0include\u00a0Assistant Professors,\u00a0John\u00a0Moore\u00a0and\u00a0JaNiene\u00a0Peoples.\u00a0<\/p>\n With\u00a0a strong passion for using research to address real-world challenges,\u00a0Tripodi,\u00a0Lockwood, Peoples and\u00a0Moore\u00a0bring\u00a0deep\u00a0expertise\u00a0and\u00a0commitment\u00a0to advancing the institute\u2019s mission.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The institute\u00a0will\u00a0also\u00a0advance\u00a0the goals of\u00a0FSU Health\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0mission\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to build a\u00a0comprehensive\u00a0health\u00a0ecosystem.\u00a0FSU Health\u00a0includes\u00a0clinical and research-based\u00a0centers and institutes that focus on\u00a0a wide variety of issues\u00a0affecting\u00a0health and healthcare.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n JHI\u00a0will expand\u00a0innovation and public impact\u00a0at the university, serving as a\u00a0source\u00a0for multidisciplinary scholarship, community\u00a0engagement\u00a0and policy-relevant intervention development.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cJHI\u00a0will be a catalyst for new opportunities,\u00a0not only for research collaboration and funding, but of opportunities for student training in research and practice along with workforce\u00a0development,\u201d said\u00a0Yaacov\u00a0Petscher<\/a>,\u00a0associate dean\u00a0for\u00a0research,\u00a0associate\u00a0director of the Florida Center for Reading Research and\u00a0professor\u00a0at the College of Social Work.\u00a0<\/p>\n