Kalea Benner, PhD, MSW, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) - Missouri, #SW005957

• Indiana University
  Dean, School of Social Work — 2024 – Present
  Professor, School of Social Work — 2024 – Present
• University of Kentucky
  Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, College of Social Work — 2019 – 2024
  Associate Professor, College of Social Work — 2019 – 2024
  Doris Y. Wilkinson Distinguished Professor in Social Work Education — 2019 – 2024
  Director of Graduate Studies, College of Social Work — 2019 – 2022
  Director of Undergraduate Studies, College of Social Work — 2015 – 2019; 2022 – 2023
  Assistant Professor, College of Social Work — 2015 – 2019
• University of Missouri
  Director, BSW Program, School of Social Work — 2008 – 2015
  Associate Director, School of Social Work — 2010 – 2012
  Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Social Work — 2001 – 2015

• School Social Worker
  Howard County School District — 2000 – 2001
• Director of Counseling Services
  William Woods University — 1998 – 2000
• Sole Proprietor & Administrator
  Benner & Associates — 1994 – 1998
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  Dresner, Stock & Associates — 1992 – 1994

Current Funded Projects, External

• EACH: Expanding Access to Critical Mental Health Supports
  U.S. Department of Education – Fort Wayne Community Schools, 2023 – 2027
  Principal Investigator: Kalea Benner
• IUSSW MSW Program at West Lafayette, Indiana
  North Central Health Services, 2024 – 2026
  Principal Investigator: Kalea Benner
• FitMindMove: A Personalized, AI-Supported Recovery Companion for Adults with Substance Use Disorders
  Sponsored by Intrepid Phoenix Ventures; $276,708 (including $100,000 Applied Research Institute Innovation Voucher Grant), 2025 – 2026
  Co-Investigator (PI: Saahoon Hong)

External Projects, under Review

• Behavioral Health Education, Supervision, and Training in Indiana (BHESTI)
  Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), 2025
  Total Amount Requested: $2,399,999
  Co-Investigator (PI: Susy Mariscal)
• Phase II – Generative AI for Addiction Recovery: Enhancing Personalized Engagements, Outcomes, and Predictive Relapse Prevention
  Department of Defense, Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), 2025
  Total Amount Requested: $176,000
  Role: Investigator (PI: Larry Smith)

Completed Funded Projects, External

• Building SUD Workforce Capacity in the Appalachia Region (Grant # T98HP33473)
  US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration — $1,349,970 — Principal investigator: Kalea Benner — 2019 – 2023
• ARMY Master of Social Work Degree
  Department of Defense, Army Medical Command — $1,252,318 — Principal investigator: Kalea Benner — 2022 – 2027
• Training Resource Center - Public Child Welfare Certification Program
  Eastern Kentucky University Training Consortium — Principal investigator: Kalea Benner — 2017 – 2025
• Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams (START)
  Kentucky Department of Community Based Services — $4,085,000 — Principal investigator: Missy Segress; co-investigator: Kalea Benner — 2020 – 2022
• ARMY Master of Social Work Degree
  Department of Defense, Army Medical Command — Principal investigator: Chris Flaherty; co-investigator: Kalea Benner — 2018 – 2022
• A multidisciplinary program to train health professionals in the screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment model (Grant # TI-025976)
  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — $942,150 — Principal investigator: Kalea Benner — 2015 – 2019
• Conceptualizing support systems for foster youth and alumni
  Foundation for Initiatives in Development and Education for All (IDEA) — Principal investigator: Jay Miller; co-investigator: Kalea Benner — 2016
• Training residents across disciplines in SBIRT services: Screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment medical residency program (Grant # TI020288)
  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — Principal investigator: Daniel Vinson, MD — 2010 – 2015

Funded projects, internal

• Supporting UK Students Engaged in Social Service Agencies and Communities
  University of Kentucky Women in Philanthropy — $40,500 — Principal investigator: Kalea Benner — 2019
• Creating Change: Co-curricular engagement and activism
  University of Kentucky Inclusive Excellence Award — $5,000 — Co-investigator: Kalea Benner — 2019
• Transformational Tuesdays: A month of social justice co-curricular programming
  University of Kentucky Inclusive Excellence Award — $10,000 — Co-investigator: Kalea Benner — 2018
• Social Justice Week: Celebrating unsung heroes
  University of Kentucky Inclusive Excellence Award — $15,000 — Principal investigator: Kalea Benner — 2017
• Faculty mentoring program
  University of Kentucky, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Excellence Retention Initiative — $14,063 — Principal investigator: Kalea Benner — 2016

Peer reviewed publications

• Benner, K., *Butler Modaff, R., Vallade, J. I., & *Hossain, M. S. (2025). Stigma as a barrier to medication for opioid use disorders in rural communities. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 49(4), 445–455. DOI: 10.1037/rmh0000315
• *Hossain, M., Pope, N. D., Benner, K., & Choi, Y. (2025). Nature and challenges of transnational family caregiving: A scoping review. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work. DOI: 10.1080/26408066.2025.2456751
• Vallade, J. I., & Benner, K. (2025). Strengthening social justice behavioral intentions through social work curricula. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, 30(1). DOI: 10.1891/JBSW-0114
• Benner, K., Hargons, C., *Davis, M., Osborne-Leute, V. A., & Yoon, D. P. (2024). There is hope: Preparing substance misuse practitioners. Field Educator. (Available as PDF)
• Fisher, S., Benner, K., *Huang, H., & *Day, E. (2024). Substance use screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment in urban settings: Barriers and facilitators to implementation. Journal of School Health. DOI: 10.1111/josh.13430
• Pope, N. D., Buchino, S., *Yokokura, K., *Clark, K., & Benner, K. (2024). Perceptions of social support usage among single men experiencing chronic homelessness. Journal of Social Distress and Homelessness. DOI: 10.1080/10530789.2024.2342059
• Barnhart, S., Benner, K., *Latimer, A., & Pope, N. (2023). Considerations in preparing social work students to thrive in health care settings. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 43(1), 116–133. DOI: 10.1080/08841233.2022.2120164
• Hargons, C., Benner, K., & *Wyman-Bookwalter, C. (2023). Identifying and addressing barriers to effective substance misuse treatment in rural settings. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 47(4), 201–210. DOI: 10.1037/rmh0000236
• Pope, N. D., Gibson, A., Benner, K., & *Littrell, L. (2023). Navigating trauma tourism in social work study abroad. Journal of Social Work Education, 59(2), 453–465. DOI: 10.1080/10437797.2022.2050870
• Latimer, A., Fantus, S., *Pachner, T., Benner, K., & Leff, V. (2022). Palliative and hospice social workers’ moral distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Palliative and Supportive Care, 1–6. DOI: 10.1017/S1478951522001341
• *Pachner, T. M., Loeffler, D., & Benner, K. (2022). Exploring undergraduate students’ understanding of intersectionality in a social justice class. Perspectives on Social Work, 17(1), 3–13.
• Pope, N. D., *Ratliff, S., *Moody, S., & Benner, K. (2022). Peer support for new foster parents: A case study of the Kentucky Foster Parent Mentoring Program. Children and Youth Services Review. DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106358
• Hargons, C., Benner, K., *Hollan, J., & *Bohmer, C. (2021). Striving, surviving, but not thriving: Mental health trainees adjusting during COVID-19. Field Educator Journal, 11(2).
• Salt, E., Wiggins, A. T., Cooper, G. L., Benner, K., Adkins, B., Hazelbaker, K., & Rayens, M. K. (2021). A comparison of child abuse and neglect encounters before and after school closings due to SARS-CoV-2. Child Abuse & Neglect, 18, 105–132. DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105132
• Pope, N., Miller, J., & Benner, K. (2020). Cultivating resilience in new foster parents through mentoring: A dyadic analysis. Children and Youth Services Review, 110. DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.104755
• *Otachi, J. K., & Benner, K. (2020). Social work students’ perspectives on understanding and addressing research anxiety. Perspectives on Social Work Journal, 15(3), 3–10.
• Benner, K., Loeffler, D., & *Buchanan, S. (2019). Understanding social justice engagement in undergraduate social work curriculum. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, 24(1), 321–327. DOI: 10.18084/1084-7219.24.1.321
• Miller, J., Benner, K., *Donohue-Dioh, J., & Segress, M. (2019). Supporting collegiate foster youth and alumni: A mixed-method planning approach for higher education. Evaluation and Program Planning, 72, 67–76.
• Ballard, J. R., Benner, K., & Elder, W. G. (2018). Role of family medicine physicians in substance use disorder assessment. Kentucky Academy of Family Physicians Journal, 89(3), 18–21.
• Benner, K., & Curl, A. (2018). Exhausted, stressed and disengaged: Does employment create burnout for social work students? Journal of Social Work Education. DOI: 10.1080/10437797.2017.1341858
• Callahan, A. M., & Benner, K. (2018). Building spiritual sensitivity through an online spirituality course. Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work. DOI: 10.1080/15426432.2018.1445574
• Miller, J., Lee, J., Benner, K., *Shalash, N., Barnhart, S., & Grise-Owens, E. (2018). Self-compassion among child welfare workers: An exploratory study. Children and Youth Services Review, 89, 205–211. DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.04.032
• Miller, J., Niu, C., Sauer, C., Bowman, K., Segress, M., & Benner, K. (2018). Foster parents’ knowledge of child trauma: An exploratory study. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma. DOI: 10.1080/10926771.2017.1422839
• Miller, J., Sauer, C., Bowman, K., Thrasher, S., Benner, K., Segress, M., & Niu, C. (2018). Conceptualizing adoptive parent support groups: A mixed-method process. Adoption Quarterly. DOI: 10.1080/10926755.2017.1387210
• Curl, A. L., & Benner, K. (2017). The influence of employment on college students' academic experiences. Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, 28(3), 183–200.
• Curl, A., & Benner, K. (2017). Volunteering enhances the social work student experience. Field Educator Journal, 7(2).
• Miller, J., Benner, K., *Kheibari, A., & Washington, E. (2017). Conceptualizing on-campus support programs for collegiate foster youth and alumni: A plan for action. Children and Youth Services Review, 83, 57–67. DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.10.028
• Miller, J., Benner, K., Pope, N., Dumas, T., Damron, J., Segress, M., *Thrasher, S., & Niu, C. (2017). Planning a foster parent mentor program: Does gender matter? Evaluation and Program Planning, 64, 78–84. DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2017.05.009
• Miller, J., Benner, K., Pope, N., Dumas, T., Damron, J., Segress, M., Slone, M., *Thrasher, S., & Niu, C. (2017). Conceptualizing effective foster parent mentor programs: A participatory planning process. Child & Family Services Review.
• Callahan, A., Benner, K., & *Helton, L. (2016). Creating spiritual competence through culturally responsive teaching. Faculty Focus: Diversity and Special Inclusion Report.
• Osborne, V. A., Benner, K., Sprague, D. J., & *Cleveland, I. (2016). Simulating real life: Enhancing alcohol screening and brief intervention education for social work students. Journal of Social Work Education, 52(3).
• Fitch, D., Benner, K., Cary, S., & Freelin, T. (2013). ePortfolios in social work curriculum: Demonstrating integrative and reflective learning. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, 18.
• Markward, M., Benner, K., & *Freese, R. (2013). Perspectives of parents on making decisions about the care and treatment of a child with cancer: A review of literature. Families, Systems, & Health, 31(4), 406–413.
• Osborne, V. A., Benner, K., Sprague, D., Vinson, D., & Horwitz, B. (2013). Lessons learned: Adapting the simulated patient medical model to social work education. Substance Abuse, 34(2), 212–213.
• Osborne, V. A., Benner, K. (2012). Utilizing screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment in social work education: Teaching assessment of substance abuse. American Journal of Public Health, 102(7), e37–e38.
• Osborne, V. A., Benner, K., Snively, C., Vinson, D., & Horwitz, B. (2012). Teaching screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment to social work students. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 7(Suppl 1): A64.

Submitted manuscripts

• Benner, K., *Pachner, T. M., Osborne-Leute, V. A., & *Wyman Bookwalter, C. (under review). Implementing routine substance misuse screening in trauma responsive social work. Journal of Social Work Education.
• Benner, K., *Latimer, A., Aker, R. M., Ballard, J., & Pope, N. D. (under review). Implementing and evaluating interprofessional education in health related disciplines. Health, Interprofessional Practice & Education.
• *Eubank, K., Garcia, A., Pope, N. D., Benner, K., & Weisenhorn, D. (under review). The role of spirituality among men engaged in substance abuse treatment. Families in Society.

In-preparation manuscripts

• Benner, K., Brown, A., & Hossain, M. S. (in preparation). Evaluation of an MSW program.
• Benner, K., *Latimer, A., Akers, R., & Ballard, J. (in preparation). Use of interprofessional education (IPE) to inform other disciplines regarding social work’s scope of practice. Journal of Social Work Education.
• Pope, N. D., Benner, K., *Latimer, A., Ford, J., & Weeks, P. (in preparation). Teaching social work students to navigate power and resistance to optimize patient care.
• *Latimer, A., Benner, K., & Pope, N. D. (in preparation). “I think I’m ready”: Managing expectations, emotions and readiness in social work students in practicum.

Books

• Benner, K., Loeffler, D. L., & Pope, N. D. (2026). Social, economic and environmental justice: Building social work practice skills (2nd ed.). Springer Publishing Company.
• Benner, K., Loeffler, D. L., & Pope, N. D. (2021). Social, economic and environmental justice: Building social work practice skills. Springer Publishing Company.

Book chapters and non-peer reviewed publications

• Benner, K., & Johnston, J. (2022). Designed, aligned, and ready to shine: Lessons learned developing and delivering online programs. In B. Bouchey, E. Gratz, & S. Kurland (Eds.), From grassroots to the highly orchestrated: Online leaders share their stories of the evolving online landscape in higher ed</em >. Online Learning Consortium Publishers.
• Benner, K., Pope, N. D., & Loeffler, D. N. (2021). Implementing justice informed social work practice. In K. Benner, D. N. Loeffler, & N. D. Pope (Eds.), Social, economic, and environmental justice: Building social work practice skills</em >. Springer Publishing Company.
• Benner, K., Pope, N. D., & Strawn, E. C. (2021). Setting the stage for justice driven social work practice. In K. Benner, D. N. Loeffler, & N. D. Pope (Eds.), Social, economic, and environmental justice: Building social work practice skills</em >. Springer Publishing Company.
• Loeffler, D. N., Pope, N. D., & Benner, K. (2021). Theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of justice driven practice. In K. Benner, D. N. Loeffler, & N. D. Pope (Eds.), Social, economic, and environmental justice: Building social work practice skills</em >. Springer Publishing Company.
• Markward, M. M., & Benner, K. (2021). Disparities in mental health services. In K. Benner, D. N. Loeffler, & N. D. Pope (Eds.), Social, economic, and environmental justice: Building social work practice skills</em >. Springer Publishing Company.
• Benner, K. (2018). Policy engagement exercises. Council on Social Work Education’s Policy Clearinghouse.
• Benner, K. (2004). Impact of substance use and dynamics of victimization. Department of Public Safety, Missouri Victim Services Academy Text.

Peer reviewed international and national presentations

• Benner, K., & Vallade, J. (2026). Identifying mechanisms for undergraduates to engage in social justice. Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference.
• Benner, K., & Vallade, J. (2025). Barriers to undergraduates engaging in social justice. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting.
• Benner, K., & *Vallade, J. (2025). Undergraduate barriers and incentives to engaging in social justice. Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference.
• Benner, K., *Butler-Modaff, R. (2024). Addressing stigma of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) through social work education. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting.
• Miller, J. D., & Benner, K. (2024). SLACKin' for self-care: A framework for supporting social workers. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting.
• Benner, K., Hossain, M. S., & Brown, A. (2024). Evaluating an MSW program using a competency based comprehensive exam. Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference.
• Benner, K., Barnhart, S., & *DiGiannantonio, V. (2023). Self-care among MSW students: Exploring relationships with ACEs and self-compassion. Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference.
• Benner, K., Barnhart, S., *DiGiannantonio, V., & *Hossain, M. S. (2023). Identifying the academic impact of childhood adversity in MSW student learning. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting.
• Barnhart, S., Benner, K., & *DiGiannantonio, V. (2023). Promoting MSW student academic performance: The potential benefits of self-compassion. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting.
• Benner, K., & Flaherty, C. (2022). Evaluation of teaching effectiveness in a unique military-focused curriculum. US Army Medical Center of Excellence, Graduate School Research and Education Symposium, Fort Sam Houston.
• Benner, K., & Latimer, A. (2022). Utilizing interprofessional education to increase knowledge regarding social work's scope of practice. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting.
• *Littrell, L., Pope, N., Gibson, A., & Benner, K. (2022). Trauma tourism vs. transnational solidarity engagement. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting.
• Benner, K., Loeffler, D., & *Latimer, A. (2021). Developing social justice engagement knowledge and skills in social work curriculum. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting.
• Pope, N. D., Gibson, A., Benner, K., & *Littrell, L. (2021). Ethical trauma tourism in social work study abroad: Missteps and lessons learned. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting (proposed).
• Barnhart, S., Benner, K., Pope, N., & *Latimer, A. (2020). MSW student perceptions of taking a strengths-based approach in healthcare settings. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting.
• Miller, J. J., Barnhart, S., Benner, K., & *Bode, M. (2020). Cross-national comparisons of social worker self-care: The global self-care initiative. Society for Social Work and Research.
• Pope, N. D., Miller, J. J., & Benner, K. (2020). Fostering resilience in new foster parents through mentoring: A dyadic analysis. Society for Social Work and Research.
• Benner, K., Weeks, P., Ford, J., & Barnhart, S. (2019). The role of interprofessional collaboration in promoting culturally competent social workers. Council on Social Work Education Annual Conference.
• Weeks, P., Benner, K., & Ford, J. (2019). Increasing awareness of the value of interprofessional education. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting.
• Miller, J., *Donahue-Dioh, J., & Benner, K. (2019). Examining the mentorship needs of medically fragile foster parents: A mixed-method approach. Society for Social Work and Research.
• Benner, K., Ford, J., & Weeks, P. (2018). The role of inter-professional collaboration in promoting culturally competent social workers. American Public Health Association Annual Meeting.
• Benner, K., Ford, J., & Weeks, P. (2018). Developing an inter-professional social work identity through integrated behavioral health education. Council on Social Work Education Annual Conference.
• Benner, K., Miller, J., Barnhart, S., & *Shalash, N. (2018). Self-compassion as a predictor of self-care: A study of child welfare workers. Council on Social Work Education Annual Conference.
• Benner, K., Curl, A., Miller, J. J., & *Aurand, S. (2018). The adviser’s role in creating community for academically vulnerable students. Social Work, Education and Social Development Biennial Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
• Benner, K., Loeffler, D., & *Buchanan, S. (2018). Increasing social justice understanding, awareness and engagement. Social Inclusion and Social Justice Conference (accepted).
• Benner, K., Loeffler, D., & *Coursey, C. (2018). Increasing social justice understanding, awareness and engagement in undergraduate social work curriculum. Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Annual Meeting.
• Loeffler, D., Benner, K., & *Pachner, T. (2018). What does intersectionality mean to students: Lessons from undergraduates and implications for teaching. Social Inclusion and Social Justice Conference (accepted).
• Loeffler, D., Benner, K., & *Pachner, T. (2018). How do undergraduates from across disciplines and professions understand and internalize intersectionality? Council on Social Work Education Annual Conference (to be presented).
• Benner, K., Miller, J., & *Kheibari, A. (2017). Identifying collegiate supports for foster youth and alumni: A plan for action. Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors.
• Callahan, A., & Benner, K. (2017). Teaching students to be spiritually sensitive: Learning from a spirituality course evaluation. Council on Social Work Education Annual Conference.
• Curl, A., & Benner, K. (2016). Influence of employment for social work students. Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development, Seoul, Korea.
• Benner, K., Miller, J., & *Kheibari, A. (2016). Conceptualizing support programs for collegiate foster youth: A plan for academic administrators. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting.
• Callahan, A., & Benner, K. (2016). Facilitating spiritual competence: A qualitative study of undergraduates. North American Association of Christians in Social Work Annual Convention.
• Benner, K., & Curl, A. (2016). Influence of employment on academic success for social work students. Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Annual Conference.
• Benner, K., & Osborne, V. (2015). Utilizing simulated clients for substance use assessment in social work education. Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Annual Conference.
• Osborne, V., Benner, K., Horwitz, B., & Vinson, D. (2012). Lessons learned: Adapting the simulated patient medical model to social work education. Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse.
• Osborne, V., Benner, K., Snively, C., Horwitz, B., & Vinson, D. (2011). Identifying substance misuse in practice: Teaching screening, brief intervention, referral and treatment to social work students. Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse.
• Osborne, V., Benner, K., Snively, C., Horwitz, B., & Vinson, D. (2011). Teaching screening, brief intervention, referral and treatment to social work students. International Network on Brief Interventions for Alcohol Problems.
• Benner, K., Kelly, M., & Sundet, P. (2006). Use of data driven decision making in child welfare. Fostering Court Improvement (sponsored by the Pew Foundation).

Regional presentations

• *Butler-Modaff, R., & Benner, K. (2024). The impact of stigma on implementation of medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Kentucky Association of Social Work Educators (KASWE) conference, Lexington, KY.
• Benner, K., & *Butler-Modaff, R. (2023). The impact of stigma on implementation of medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Substance Use Research Event (SURE), Lexington, KY.
• Benner, K., & *Butler-Modaff, R. (2023). The impact of stigma on implementation of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in Appalachian communities. Appalachian Research Day, Hazard, KY.
• Benner, K., & *Butler-Modaff, R. (2022). The odds are stacked against them: Use of medication-assisted therapy in the recovery process. Kentucky Rural Health Association (KRHA) Conference, Somerset, KY.
• Benner, K. (2017). Fundamentals of screening, brief intervention, referral and treatment (SBIRT) for substance misuse. Trauma and Substance Misuse Conference, Lexington, KY.
• Benner, K. (2017). Substance misuse screening with trauma survivors. Ending Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence Conference, Lexington, KY.
• Benner, K., & Brown, C. (2017). Theoretical foundations of SBIRT: Utilizing motivational interviewing. Trauma and Substance Misuse Conference, Lexington, KY.
• Benner, K. (2016). Application of SBIRT. Integrated Behavioral Health Conference, Lexington, KY.

Invited presentations and speaking events

• Benner, K. (2025, June 18). Invited speaker, You can't pour from an empty cup: The power of self-care. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Indianapolis.
• Benner, K. (2025, March 12). Invited speaker, Self-care as an ethical imperative. Indiana University Health, Arnett Hospital.
• Benner, K. (2025, May 1). Invited speaker, Self-care as a practice imperative. Indiana University School of Medicine.
• Benner, K. (2023, September 13). Invited panel speaker, Perpetuating the land-grant mission: Best practices for campus-community partnerships. University of Kentucky Engagement Academy.
• Miller, J., Brown, A., & Benner, K. (2023, July 12). Invited speaker, Self-care strategies for mitigating trauma and other inimical conditions. Mediator’s Institute of Ireland, University of Maynooth, Ireland.
• Benner, K. (2023, June 8). Invited plenary speaker, Enhancing diversity in curriculum to create change. Graduate School Research and Education Symposium, Medical Center of Excellence, Fort Sam Houston.
• Benner, K. (2022, June 9). Graduate School Research and Education Symposium, Medical Center of Excellence, Fort Sam Houston.
• Benner, K. (2022, July 26). Facilitator, Tiziana Dearing: Social innovation and leadership.
• Benner, K. (2022, April 8). Invited speaker, Proseminar.
• Benner, K. (2021, March 11). Invited panelist, Online Program Director’s Forum on Building Online Community.
• Benner, K. (2020, August 10). Invited testimony to Kentucky’s General Assembly on the role of the University of Kentucky in addressing substance misuse across the Commonwealth.
• Benner, K. (2020, July 29). Facilitator, Wendy Sherman: A conversation with social work leaders.
• Benner, K. (2018, December 6). Incorporating substance screening in community health. Training for Community Health Workers with Kentucky Homeplace, Hazard, KY.
• Benner, K. (2018, December 13). Incorporating substance screening in community health. Training for Community Health Workers with Kentucky Homeplace, West Liberty, KY.
• Benner, K. (2018, August 23). Our students: Who are they? Panel member, SW 790, University of Kentucky College of Social Work.
• Benner, K. (2018, March 5, 7, 9). Career opportunities and the MSW. Panel member, Psychology 195, University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences.
• Benner, K. (2017, October 25). SBIRT for family members of residents. Training, Chrysalis House, Lexington, KY.
• Benner, K. (2017, April 21). SBIRT. Training, Eastern State Hospital, Lexington, KY.
• Benner, K. (2017, January 13). Teaching influences. Invited lecture, University of Kentucky College of Social Work doctoral students.
• Benner, K. (2016). Teaching influences. Invited lecture, University of Kentucky College of Social Work doctoral students.
• Benner, K. (2016, May). UK’s BASW Program. Presentation to the Professional Advisory Board, University of Kentucky College of Social Work.
• Benner, K. (2015, October 7). Student Success and Career Readiness Seminar, University of Kentucky (invited facilitator).
• Benner, K. (2015, September 25). The joys, challenges and supports in teaching. Invited lecture, University of Kentucky College of Social Work doctoral students.
• Benner, K. (2015, September 17). Professional communication within the College of Social Work. Invited lecture, UK 101, University of Kentucky College of Social Work.
• Benner, K. (2014, October). External review facilitation and presentation. William Woods University.
• Benner, K. (2013, May). Application of ethics in social work practice. Missouri Department of Mental Health, Fulton State Hospital.
• Benner, K. (2010, September). Supervision for licensure. Clinical Social Work Supervision Training.
• Benner, K. (2012, April). Licensure supervision for social work practice. Social Work Annual Spring Forum.
• Benner, K. (2006, May). Parenting effectively despite divorce. Early Childhood Educators Association.
• Benner, K., Kelly, M., & Sundet, P. (2006). Use of data driven decision making in child welfare. Presented to the 13th Circuit Court, Boone and Callaway Counties, MO (sponsored by the Pew Foundation).

Popular press and media

• Kentucky Health News (2020, July). First graduates from federally funded UK program to build workforce to address substance-use disorder are at work. http://kyhealthnews.blogspot.com/2020/07/first-graduates-from-federally-funded.html
• UKnow (2020, July 2). UK students 1st to graduate from program aimed at combating opioid crisis. https://uknow.uky.edu/student-and-academic-life/uk-students-1st-graduate-program-aimed-combating-opioid-crisis?j=238205&sfmc_sub=169448950&l=20203_HTML&u=7361995&mid=10966798&jb=0
• Richmond Register (2019, August). UK social work awarded $1 million in federal dollars to combat opioid crisis. https://www.richmondregister.com/news/uk-social-work-awarded-million-in-federal-dollars-to-combat/article_6b3d2a50-4455-57bd-9da2-9372c9f33c78.html
• The Lane Report (2019, August). UK awarded $1.3 million to combat opioid crisis. https://www.lanereport.com/116420/2019/08/uk-awarded-1-3-million-to-combat-opioid-crisis/
• WTVQ (2019, August 27). UK receives $1 million federal grant to fight opioid crisis. https://www.wtvq.com/2019/08/28/uk-receives-1-million-federal-grant-fight-opioid-crisis/
• UKnow (2019, August 27). UK Social Work awarded $1 million in federal dollars to combat opioid crisis. http://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/uk-social-work-awarded-1-million-federal-dollars-combat-opioid-crisis?j=154167&sfmc_sub=122678056&l=19226_HTML&u=4738254&mid=10966798&jb=0
• UKnow (2018, August 31). Answering a call to action; more students pursuing careers in child welfare. https://uknow.uky.edu/student-and-academic-life/answering-call-action-more-students-pursuing-careers-child-welfare
• Jones, B. (Host, Social Work Conversations). (2018, March). Research on modern student challenges – A conversation with Dr. Kalea Benner. https://socialwork.uky.edu/podcast/
• UKnow (2017, April 21). Social work researcher trains students, health care professionals how to identify substance misuse. https://socialwork.uky.edu/social-work-researcher-trains-students-health-care-professionals-how-to-identify-substance-misuse/
• Cassis, L. (Vice President for Research). (2017, May 11). Research-based training to identify substance misuse (podcast). https://uknow.uky.edu/research/research-based-training-identify-substance-misuse

Graduate student committees

• Committee member
  Jennifer Ballard-Kang — Development and validation of the measure of perceived safety in the college classroom: a mixed methods phenomenological research study — 2020
• Committee member
  Kendra Eubank — The role of faith for fathers seeking addiction treatment and the impact it has on father involvement — 2024
• Co-chair
  Christine Fulmer — The influence of distance learning on undergraduate social work competency: an exploratory study at a private university — 2022
• Committee member
  Mohammad Sajjad Hossain — Exploring the challenges of transnational graduate student caregivers who provide care to their older parents back home — Anticipated 2026
• Co-chair
  Rujeko Machinga — Post-traumatic growth among intimate partner violence survivors — 2024
• Committee member
  Edward Richter — Ease of readjustment to civilian life for Special Forces veterans: systematic literature review — 2023
• Committee member
  Alisia Sullivan — Upstander behavior and racist hate speech: understanding the influence of social status — Anticipated 2026
• Committee member
  Rachel Womack — The role of the therapeutic relationship in mental health therapy with queer and disabled adults — 2024

Professional service

• Health Workforce Committee member
  State of Indiana — 2024 – Present
• Evidence-Based Practices Taskforce member
  Indiana University, Bowen Center — 2025 – Present
• Associate editor
  Journal of Rural Mental Health — 2024 – Present
• Military Curricular Guide Task Force member
  Council on Social Work Education — 2023
• Executive board member
  Kentucky Association of Social Work Educators — 2024
• Consulting editor
  Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work — 2018 – Present
• Reviewer
  Palliative Care and Social Practice — 2023 – Present
• Reviewer
  Substance Use and Misuse — 2020 – Present
• Reviewer
  Substance Misuse — 2020
• Reviewer
  Children and Youth Services Review — 2018 – Present
• Research Committee member
  Baccalaureate Program Directors (BPD) — 2014 – Present
• Technology and Distance Education Committee member
  Baccalaureate Program Directors (BPD) — 2014 – Present
• Member
  Baccalaureate Program Directors (BPD) — Dates not specified
• Member
  Council on Social Work Education — Dates not specified
• Conference planning committee member
  Integrated Behavioral Health Annual Conference — 2016 – 2017
• SBIRT Avatar Development Review Group member
  Kognito — 2013 – 2018
• SBIRT Experiential Learning Collaborative member
  NORC — 2013 – 2018
• Program evaluator and developer
  Law Enforcement and People in Crisis — 2014 – Present
• Institutional Review Board member
  William Woods University — 2012 – 2015
• Facilitator
  Community Action Council Poverty Simulation — 2011 – 2014
• Professional Advisory Committee member
  William Woods University — 2004 – 2006
• Alumni Advisory Board member
  University of Missouri School of Social Work — 2004 – 2008
• Board of directors member
  The Shelter — 2002 – 2004

College of social work service

• Academic Affairs Committee member
  College of Social Work — 2015 – Present
• Administrative Committee member
  College of Social Work — 2015 – Present
• Admissions Committee (ex-officio)
  College of Social Work — 2015 – Present
• Budget Committee member
  College of Social Work — 2018 – Present
• Continuing Education Advisory Committee member
  College of Social Work — 2015 – Present
• Curriculum Committee (ex-officio)
  College of Social Work — 2015 – Present
• Leadership Council member
  College of Social Work — 2022 – Present
• Faculty advisor, Phi Alpha
  College of Social Work — 2015 – Present
• Chair, Retention Committee
  College of Social Work — 2015 – 2016
• Scholarship Committee member
  College of Social Work — 2015 – Present
• Social Justice Co-Curricular Planning Committee member
  College of Social Work — 2016 – Present
• Faculty advisor, Social Work Association (SWA)
  College of Social Work — 2016

University service — University of Kentucky

• SACSCOC re-accreditation representative
  University of Kentucky — 2022 – 2023
• SACSCOC Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Committee member
  University of Kentucky — 2022 – 2023
• Search committee member, senior compliance officer
  University of Kentucky — 2023
• Search committee member, associate provost for graduate and professional education
  University of Kentucky — 2022 – 2023
• Community Partner Workstream member for return to classes during COVID-19
  University of Kentucky — 2020
• Advisory board member, Substance Use Priority Research Area (SUPRA)
  University of Kentucky — 2020 – Present
• Campus Leadership Team member
  University of Kentucky — 2019 – Present
• Faculty sponsor, Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority
  University of Kentucky — 2018 – Present
• Leadership team member
  Center for Interprofessional Health Education — 2018 – Present
• Steering Committee member, Wildcat Foundations
  University of Kentucky — 2017 – 2020
• University Assessment Council representative (College of Social Work)
  University of Kentucky — 2016 – Present
• Undergraduate Council member
  University of Kentucky — 2018 – 2019
• Advisory board member, Interprofessional Healthcare Residential College
  University of Kentucky — 2015 – 2017

University service — University of Missouri

• Undergraduate Curriculum Committee member
  University of Missouri — 2012 – 2015
• Academic Assessment Committee member
  University of Missouri — 2010 – 2015
• Residential Life Committee member
  University of Missouri — 2010 – 2015
• Health Activity Center member
  University of Missouri — 2004 – 2015
• Jefferson Club member
  University of Missouri — 1995 – 2008

School of social work service — University of Missouri

• Undergraduate Advisors’ Committee member
  University of Missouri School of Social Work — 2001 – 2015
• Faculty search committee member
  University of Missouri School of Social Work — 2008; 2011; 2014
• Off-campus and distance education committee member
  University of Missouri School of Social Work — 2009 – 2013
• Field coordination committee member
  University of Missouri School of Social Work — 2007 – 2013

• Women’s Executive Leadership Development program participant
  University of Kentucky — 2022
• Doris Y. Wilkinson Distinguished Professorship in Social Work Education
  University of Kentucky — 2019 – 2024
• Inclusive Excellence Award
  University of Kentucky — 2017; 2018; 2019
• Sarah Bennett Holmes Award nominee
  University of Kentucky — 2017
• Ken Freedman Outstanding Advising Award nominee
  University of Kentucky — 2017; 2018; 2019
• Wethington Award
  University of Kentucky — 2016 – 2023
• Chairs Academy participant
  University of Kentucky — 2015 – 2016
• Tribute to Women nominee
  University of Missouri — 2015
• SAGE/CSWE Award for Innovative Teaching in Social Work Education nominee
  Council on Social Work Education — 2014
• Student Identified Mentor, Mizzou ’39
  University of Missouri — 2013
• Educational Exemplar Publication
  NORC at the University of Chicago — 2012
• Honorary coach
  University of Missouri Women’s Basketball — 2011
• Outstanding Faculty Award
  University of Missouri — 2004
• New Faculty Teaching Scholar
  University of Missouri — 2004