Whitney Grube

Whitney Grube is an Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. Her research focuses on child and adolescent mental health services, particularly the implementation of strengths-based models in case management and policy. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in 2020 with honors. Grube specializes in youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) and the impact of mental health interventions on families.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Social Welfare, University of Kansas, 2020 (Awarded with Honors)

Research Interests: Grube’s work emphasizes improving mental health service delivery through innovative case management approaches. Key areas include the Strengths Model for Youth Case Management, which prioritizes client-driven care, and evaluating interventions like Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-Up (ABC). She also investigates adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their long-term impacts on wellbeing.

Teaching: Grube instructs courses on grant writing, program evaluation, social work practice with children/families, and mental health integration in social work.

Service: She serves as a grant peer reviewer for SAMHSA and has contributed to national initiatives like the Kansas Early Childhood Initiative. Locally, she collaborates with Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center to implement strengths-based practices.

Awards:

• Dissertation Awarded with Honors (2020)