Hello! My name is Jessica Johnson.
I am a Doctoral of Social Work candidate at the University of Kentucky, with an anticipated graduation date of May 7, 2022.
I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work from the University of the Cumberlands and a Master of Social Work Degree from Campbellsville University.
I have a Certified Social Work Licensure from the Kentucky Board of Social Work.
I have 21 years of social work experience.
My social work practice experience is in child welfare in both the public and private sectors, as well as in medical social work and higher education.
I previously held 8 years in leadership and administration within my child welfare agencies.
My current role as a social work practitioner is as a Social Worker Senior for University of Kentucky Health Care working as a medical case manager with HIV and infectious disease patients at the Bluegrass Care Clinic.
Additionally, I am an adjunct professor for the University of Kentucky College of Social Work.
I have committed my doctoral journey to advancing social work education surrounding police social work services.
As a social worker, I am committed to social justice informed education to address the foundational “whiteness” of social work education comparatively to that of the systemic racism and structural inequalities of policing.
Schools of social work, social work students, and social work practitioners must play an integral role to address the need for law enforcement reform, to bridge the gap between the police and the communities they serve.