Johanna Thomas

Johanna Thomas serves as Professor and Director at the University of Arkansas School of Social Work, holding an LCSW license in Arkansas. Her leadership encompasses academic administration, clinical practice, and active engagement in federally funded research initiatives.

Her educational credentials include:

• Bachelor of Art in Sociology/Correction, University of Akron (2002)
• Master of Social Work, Louisiana State University (2006)
• PhD in Social Work, Louisiana State University (2011)

Dr. Thomas's research spans early childhood truancy prevention, school-based interventions for students with autism and high-need disabilities, and gun violence prevention. She investigates political advocacy mechanisms, policy implementation fidelity, and evaluation methodologies across poverty/inequality contexts, juvenile justice systems, social isolation phenomena, and developmental disability transitions.

She currently directs 11 federal grants totaling $29 million from SAMHSA, DOJ, and the Department of Education. These fund truancy intervention programs, Individual Development Accounts, TANF initiatives, Community Mental Health Centers, Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers, Adult Drug Treatment Courts, and Veterans Treatment Courts.

Her work involves cross-sector collaboration with educational institutions, community organizations, and government agencies to implement evidence-based solutions addressing systemic social challenges for vulnerable populations.