By Jaelon Jackson
School of Social Work
PhD candidate, Lacey Jenkins
In early April, a PhD candidate in the School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Arlington successfully defended her dissertation.
Lacey Jenkins defended her dissertation titled “Strengthening Child Well-Being: Evaluating the Role of Family Resource Centers in Preventing Child Maltreatment.”
Her research focuses on how Family Resource Centers (FRCs) can serve as effective community-based tools to reduce child maltreatment and enhance child well-being. Jenkins’ work draws from both her academic training and her years of professional experience in child welfare.
She earned her master’s degree in social work from UTA and began her doctoral studies with a clear focus on prevention and systems-level change. After five years working with children and families in crisis, Jenkins entered the PhD program determined to find upstream solutions.
“I saw how reactive the child welfare system can be,” Jenkins said. “I wanted to explore models that support families before things reach a crisis point, and that’s what led me to Family Resource Centers.”
Her dissertation used growth curve modeling and a collaborative research partnership with a local community agency to assess the long-term impact of FRCs on child maltreatment referral and substantiation rates. She also worked closely with the organization’s data team to ensure her findings would support their continuous quality improvement (CQI) efforts.
“FRCs strengthen protective factors like parental resilience and social support,” Jenkins said. “That makes a real difference for families, especially those navigating challenges that could otherwise escalate.”
Jenkins’ dissertation committee was chaired by Dr. Catherine LaBrenz, who supervised Jenkins throughout her doctoral studies. LaBrenz praised Jenkins’ deep commitment to applied, community-engaged research and highlighted the breadth of her dissertation work.
“Lacey really went above and beyond with this project,” LaBrenz said. “She used innovative methods, partnered meaningfully with a local agency, and produced three articles that each look at Family Resource Centers from different angles. Her research is a strong foundation for a career focused on community-based solutions to prevent child maltreatment.”
In addition to her dissertation work, Jenkins was involved in several applied research initiatives as a graduate research assistant. She led interviews with child welfare professionals, collaborated on interprofessional education programs for mandated reporters, and mentored both master’s and doctoral students throughout her time in the program.
Reflecting on her experience, Jenkins said the most meaningful part of her PhD journey was learning to trust herself.
“I came in with a lot of passion, but also a lot of doubt,” she said. “Over time, I found myself teaching, presenting, leading research projects—doing things I never thought I could. I’m incredibly proud of the growth I’ve experienced, not just academically, but personally.”
Jenkins has accepted a tenure-track faculty position as an assistant professor at the University of Alabama. She will begin her new role in the fall and plans to continue her research on child maltreatment prevention, with a focus on improving family support and community partnerships.
“This is a dream opportunity,” Jenkins said. “It allows me to keep building on the work I started at UTA and continue advocating for systems that help families before they’re in crisis.”
Jenkins' successful defense marks a major milestone in her career and adds to the School of Social Work's legacy of producing researchers and educators committed to advancing social work practice.