Vanessa V. Klodnick, PhD, LCSW (she/her), Research Associate Professor. Dr. Klodnick is a nationally recognized expert in: multidisciplinary young adult mental health service engagement, enhancements to evidence-based supported employment for transition-age youth, near-age youth/young adult peer support, and non-profit continuous quality improvement practices. Dr. Klodnick partners with young people and community providers to improve quality of and access to developmentally-attuned mental health care using mixed- and community-based participatory action research methods. Dr. Klodnick focuses on designing service models to promote positive outcomes among young people with serious mental health needs, in addition to those who are also: aging out of child welfare, pregnant and parenting, and/or experiencing homelessness, justice system involvement and poverty.
Dr. Klodnick has trained 1500+ mental health professionals, consulted in 12 states, authored 40+ peer-reviewed journal manuscripts, delivered 80+ conference presentations, and created several publicly available practice manuals. Dr. Klodnick’s work is/has been funded by NIDILRR, NIH, state departments, and foundations. Dr. Klodnick previously served as Director of Youth & Young Adult Services Research & Innovation at Thresholds in Chicago where she successfully integrated continuous quality improvement and measurement-based care practices, as well as youth advocacy and evidence-based practice enhancements. Prior to Thresholds, Dr. Klodnick worked in child welfare as a case worker and therapist.
Dr. Klodnick earned her PhD at The University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy & Practice, a master’s degree at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin, and a bachelor’s degree at Kalamazoo College in Michigan. Dr. Klodnick is a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois and resides in Chicago. Dr. Klodnick loves people, a good story, running, live music and dancing with her daughter.
Current Projects
Emerge Model Feasibility & Efficacy Study, NIDILRR-funded in partnership with three community mental health service providers: Thresholds, Chicago, IL, Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, IL, and Integrated Services of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, MI
Virtual Cognitive Training Study with Young People diagnosed with early psychosis at Integral Care, funded by State of Texas NECMHR Initiative
The Empowerment Study, The Learning & Working During the Transition to Adulthood Rehabilitation Research & Training Center, The University of Massachusetts, NIDILRR-funded
Ontrack for Wellness Study, The Center on Integrated Healthcare and Self-Directed Recovery, The University of Illinois at Chicago, NIDILRR-funded Study in partnership with FIRST.IL Network in Illinois that includes 25 Early Psychosis Coordinated Specialty Care sites
EPINET-TX, NIMH-funded Learning Health System facilitated by UT-Austin researchers that includes 15 Early Psychosis Coordinated Specialty Care sites
Amplify Center Research & Evaluation, Dell Medical School, UT-Austin – Amplify is an Integrated Youth Service (IYS) Model influenced by Australia’s headspace Model
Travis County Jail Diversion Project, in partnership with Texas Health & Human Services and Integral Care, Austin, TX – Conducting a Process Evaluation of a Promising New Multidisciplinary Transitional Living Program called the Therapeutic Diversion Program.