Derrik Tollefson

derrik.tollefson@socwk.utah.edu

Specialties: Family violence, child welfare, progam evaluation.

Classes Taught: N/A

Favorite Quote:
"I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death." - Patrick Henry

Dr. Derrik Tollefson is an assistant research professor in the University of Utah’s College of Social Work where he functions as a research methodologist for SRI and teaches graduate-level research methods courses. He also serves as principle investigator and co-principle investigator on several SRI research projects. His degrees are from Utah State University (B.S.- social work, sociology), The University of Denver (M.S.W.), and The University of Utah (Ph.D.- social work). Dr. Tollefson has extensive experience working in the rural areas of Utah, Colorado, and Hawaii as a professional social worker and researcher. He worked in Utah’s rural public child welfare system for seven years prior to moving to research and academics. For his dissertation he evaluated a domestic violence treatment program located within a rural public child welfare agency. Prior to accepting a position with SRI he was on the faculty of Brigham Young University-Hawaii. While at BYU-H Dr. Tollefson worked with the rural communities of Ko’olauloa to help acquire much needed child welfare services and other social services. In partnership with the Salvation Army, he wrote a successful grant proposal seeking funds to establish domestic violence outreach services to underserved adult females living in Ko’olauloa. He also worked with various community organizations to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect and develop culturally appropriate strategies for addressing child abuse and neglect and other child welfare issues in Ko’olauloa. His research interests include child welfare, family violence, criminal and juvenile justice, and program evaluation.