Andrew Winters

Dr. Andrew Winters serves as an Assistant Professor at the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science at the University of Louisville. His academic journey and professional endeavors are deeply rooted in enhancing the effectiveness of services within behavioral health, juvenile justice, and child welfare systems, particularly for children and adolescents. Dr. Winters is passionate about ensuring service equity, access, and alignment for youth who are engaged in multiple systems, advocating for a more integrated and comprehensive approach to social services. A significant aspect of Dr. Winters' research is his focus on the capacity and readiness of workforces to deliver essential services. He delves into the facilitators and barriers that impact service implementation, aiming to identify strategies that can enhance workforce development in social services. His work is pivotal in understanding how to better equip professionals to meet the complex needs of their clients, particularly in challenging environments. Currently, Dr. Winters is actively engaged in three community-based research projects. One of these projects involves evaluating an intervention designed to address substance use among parents involved in child welfare. This work is crucial in developing effective strategies to support families and improve outcomes for children. His commitment to this area of research underscores his dedication to fostering healthier family dynamics and promoting child welfare. In addition to his primary research endeavors, Dr. Winters is the Co-Principal Investigator on a study that explores screening and assessment processes for trauma and behavioral health needs within child welfare systems. This study aims to enhance the understanding of how these processes can be improved to better serve children and families, ensuring that their needs are accurately identified and addressed. Dr. Winters is also a key member of the evaluation team for the Ohio site of a five-year Quality Improvement Center grant. This initiative is focused on improving child welfare workforce outcomes, reflecting his ongoing commitment to workforce development and the enhancement of service delivery systems. Through this work, he contributes to the development of innovative solutions that can transform child welfare practices and improve the lives of children and families. Overall, Dr. Andrew Winters' work is characterized by a deep commitment to improving the systems that serve vulnerable populations. His research not only addresses critical issues within social services but also seeks to empower the professionals who deliver these services, ultimately striving for a more equitable and effective social service landscape.