Laurie Cook Heffron, LMSW

Program Coordinator

About

Laurie Cook Heffron, LMSW, is a research program coordinator with The University of Texas at Austin’s Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, where she has contributed to multiple research projects since 2001.

Current projects include a national pilot program to develop professional and organizational resiliency among child welfare workers, a program evaluation for services to victims of human trafficking, a statewide domestic violence prevalence study, and a program evaluation of Texas’ Non-Report Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Program. Recently, Laurie has worked with the Institute in completing a statewide evaluation on human trafficking and existing laws and social services in collaboration with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Office of the Attorney General. Laurie also worked with IDVSA in developing Texas-specific outcome measures to reflect service providers' needs, practices and resources in the area of sexual assault.

Laurie has both direct social work practice and research experience with a variety of refugee populations. Previously, she served as program coordinator for Green Leaf Refugee Services, a project now housed at Refugee Services of Texas, Inc., that provides intensive health and emotional health case management services to refugees, victims of trafficking, asylees, and other immigrants in Central Texas.

Laurie has been a member of the Central Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking since its inception. She currently volunteers with Refugee Services of Texas in serving the unique needs of Austin’s refugee communities and with My Healing Place, Austin’s center for grief, loss, and trauma support.

Laurie is a licensed social worker and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, having been posted in Niger, West Africa, where she worked with women and children in a rural community health initiative.

Professional Interests

Education

• M.S.W., The University of Texas at Austin
• B.S., Georgetown University