AUSTIN, Texas – The Moritz Center for Societal Impact (MCSI) is pleased to announce the recipients of the inaugural Projects for Societal Impact Awards (PSIs). This summertime funding will support interdisciplinary efforts in research, scholarship, and community partnerships, designed to address critical social problems.  Each project selected for an award has a unique focus on health, behavioral health, housing, or homelessness, all of which come within the Center’s main domains of focus.

“We are delighted to see the mission of the Moritz Center for Societal Impact spring to life with these brilliant, award-winning projects,” said Jeanette R. Davidson, director of MCSI. “Not only will the research be groundbreaking, but the lives of real people will also be impacted in positive, healing ways, in Texas and even globally, just as was originally envisioned by founding director Dean Allan Cole, and John David and Leslie B. Moritz who generously support these awards.”

The next round of awards from the Moritz Center will be its Good Neighbors Program, which will provide up to $10,000 for the design and implementation of programs informed by therapeutic interventions, the arts and humanities, technology, social, recreational, or other activities. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to facilitating well-being for individuals, groups, and communities in Austin and close surrounding areas.

Located in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work (SHS) at the University of Texas at Austin, the Moritz Center’s mission is to align interdisciplinary efforts in research and scholarship, curriculum and instruction, and community partnerships to solve critical social problems. Named after the Moritz Family (John David and Leslie B. Moritz pictured at a recent scholarship event), the Center studies different domains of interest and focus, including ethics, housing, aging, disability, children and families, and global health and technology in order to improve lives.

2023-24 Projects for Societal Impact Awardees:

  • Youth and Parent Mental Health Literacy and Stigma Reduction Education in a Low-Resource Community

Namkee G. Choi, PhD, Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas, Austin

Working in Partnership with the Manor Wellness Alliance

  • Development of a Global Coalition on Data-driven Overdose Response

Kasey Claborn, PhD, Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas, Austin

Working in Partnership with the French Red Cross Chapter, Lannion, Brittany

  • Expanding Access to Housing for People in Recovery from Substance Use Disorders

Fiona Conway, PhD, Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas, Austin

Professor Stephen Courter, McCombs School of Business, University of Texas, Austin

Working in Partnership with the CLEAN Cause Foundation

  • Enhancing Parental Mental Health and Children’s Outcomes in High Poverty Areas of Mexico through a Low-Cost Scalable Program

Raissa Fabregas, PhD, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas, Austin

 Manuela Angelucci, PhD, Department of Economics, University of Texas, Austin

Daniel Bennet, PhD, Department of Economics, University of Southern California

Antonia Varquez, PhD Candidate, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas, Austin

Working in Partnership with Redes Sociales para el Desarrollo (REDDES)

  • A Community-Participatory Study of Homelessness Among Youth with Experience in Foster Care

Barbara Ball, PhD, LPC-A, Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas, Austin

Working in Partnership with Austin Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO)

  • Solution Focused Brief Therapy with Autistic Adults: A Development and Pilot Study

Sandy Magaña, PhD MSW, Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas, Austin

 Cynthia G.S. Franklin, PhD, Steve Hicks School of Social Work, University of Texas, Austin

Working in Partnership with Greenleaf at Easter Seals