معرفی
Dr. Irán Barrera is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Social Work Education at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State). He holds dual Ph.D.s from the University of Texas at Arlington and Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (Mexico), specializing in international comparative social welfare policy. His leadership roles include Chair of the Cultural Competency Track at the Council on Social Work Education (2016–2019) and membership on The Center for Law and Social Policy’s Mental Health Advisory Board. He served as President of Fresno State’s Latino Faculty/Staff Association (2018–2019).
Dr. Barrera’s education spans multiple institutions: a B.A. in Psychology (CSULB), M.S.W. in School Social Work (CSULB), and dual Ph.D.s in Social Work from UTA and UANL. His research focuses on addressing mental health disparities among Latino populations, particularly examining adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), cultural barriers to care, and rural health equity. He leads the $2 million HRSA-funded LaHm grant expanding the Latino/Hmong behavioral health workforce in California’s Central Valley.
His work integrates clinical practice, policy advocacy, and community engagement, with a focus on marginalized communities in California, Texas, and Mexico. Key themes in his research include trauma-informed interventions, housing-first programs, and culturally competent service delivery. Dr. Barrera’s grants total over $2.7 million, including prior HRSA funding for the CONSEJO behavioral health initiative.
Scientific awards include the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Interdisciplinary Research Leadership Fellowship and the CSWE Minority Fellowship Program. His speaking engagements span academic and community forums in both the U.S. and Mexico, emphasizing actionable solutions for health inequities.
