The University of Maryland School of Social Work's Institute for Innovation and Implementation has named Jessie Watrous as its acting director.
Watrous is an advocate for the application of research and learning to improve the public systems that serve the most vulnerable children and families. For over 25 years, she has worked with human service, philanthropic, academic, and community partners to strengthen efforts to improve the health and well-being of children and families impacted by poverty, violence, substance use and mental health disorders, and homelessness.
Watrous has been program director for evidence-based programs and practices for The Institute for the past six years. She has been responsible for training and technical assistance to child and family-serving agencies to strengthen local service arrays and the delivery of evidence-based and promising programs and practices with the goal of addressing the needs of vulnerable children, youth, and families. She serves as principal investigator for contracts with the Maryland Department of Human Services/Social Services Administration and has served as project director for contracts with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau.