Karen Bullock, Ph.D.
Profile Summary
Karen Bullock, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the area of Black Studies for Social Work Practice. Karen teaches courses in research methods, black studies, human behavior, and aging. Her areas of specialization include mental health, gerontology, cultural diversity, program development and evaluation.
Education
- Ph.D. - Boston University, Sociology and Social Work, 2000
- M.S.W. - Columbia University, Program Development & Administration, 1992
- B.S.W. - North Carolina State University, Generalist Social Work Practice, 1990
Research Interests
- Geriatric Social Work
- Care at End-of-Life
- Social Support Networks
- Health Care Disparities including Mental Health
Research and Scholarship Links
- coming soon
Contact
- Phone: (860) 570-9148
- E-mail: karen.bullock@uconn.edu
- Room: 303 SSWB
Professional Experience
Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut School of Social Work, 2002- Present
Undergraduate Program Director, Assistant Professor in Social Work and Nursing, University of North Carolina, 1999-2002
Assistant Professor, Salem State College, School of Social Work and Department of Sociology, 1995-1999
Adjunct Faculty, Smith College School for Social Work, 1997-1998 and 1994-1995
Visiting Lecturer, Salem State College, School of Social Work (Graduate & Undergraduate), 1994- 1995
Visiting Lecturer, Salem State College, Department of Sociology (Undergraduate), 1994- 1995
Publications
Books and Book Chapters
Bullock, K. (2007). Grandfathers Raising Grandchildren: An Exploration of African American Kinship Networks. In R.G. Wilson & S.E. Crewe (Eds.). Tradition and policy perspectives in kinship care (pp. 181-197). Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press.
Bullock, K . (2007). Resource Enrichment Center: An Internet resource for working with terminally ill patients and families. In Csikai, E.L. & B. Jones, Social work in end-of-life and palliative care: A Compendium of syllabi and teaching resources. Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books.
Bullock, K ., with Crystal Smith, Jessica Hernandez, Dalkis Muir, & Aaron Scott Taylor (2007). Narrative analysis of a strength-based approach to graduate and post-graduate education. In D.A. Brunson, B. Jarmon, & L.L.Lampl (Eds.), Letters from the future: Linking students and teaching with the diversity of everyday life , pp. 153-179. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishers.
Bullock, K. (2006). Get Thee Behind Me: African American Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Exposed to Domestic Violence. In R.L. Hampton and T. Gullotta (Eds.), Interpersonal violence in the African American community: Evidence-based prevention and treatment practices , pp. 149-163. New York, NY: Springer.
Bullock, K. (2005). “Ahora le voy a cuidar mis nietos: Rural Latino grandparents raising grandchildren of substance abusing parents. Reprint in M. Delgado (Ed.), Latinos and alcohol use/abuse revisited: Advances and challenges for prevention and treatment programs, pp. 107-130 . New York, NY: Haworth Press.
Bullock, K . (2004). Family Social Support. In P. J. Bomar (Ed.) Promoting Health in Families: Applying Family Research and Theory to Nursing Practice ( 3 rd ed.) , pp. 142-161 . Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier Publisher.
Journal Articles
Bullock, K., & McGraw, S.A. (2006). A community capacity- enhancement approach to breast and cancer screening among older women of color. Health & Social Work, 31 (1), 16-25.
Bullock, K. (2006). Promoting advance directive among African Americans: A faith-based model. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 9 (1), 183-195.
Bullock, K. (2005). “Ahora le voy a cuidar mis nietos: Rural Latino grandparents raising grandchildren of substance abusing parents. Alcoholism Quarterly, 23 (2/3), 107-130.
Bullock, K., McGraw, S.A., Blank, K., & Bradley, E.H. (2005). What matters to older African Americans facing end-of-life decisions? A focus group study. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care, 1 (3), 3-19.
Bullock, K. (2005). Grandfathers and the impact of raising grandchildren. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 32 (1), 43-59.
Bullock, K. (2004). The changing role of grandparents in rural families: The results of an exploratory study in Southeastern North Carolina.Families in Society, 85 (1), 45-54.
Bullock, K ., Crawford, S.L., & Tennstedt, S. L., (2003). Employment and Caregiving: An Exploration of African American Caregivers.Social Work, 48 (2), 150-162.
Bullock, K. (2001). Healthy Family Systems: The changing role of grandparents in rural America. Education & Ageing, 16 (2), 163-178.
Sellars, D.E., Crawford, S.L., Bullock, K., & McKinlay, J.B. (1997). Understanding the Variability in the Effectiveness of Community Heart Health Programs: A Meta-Analysis. Social Science and Medicine, 44 (9), 1325-1339.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Davidson, K., & Bullock, K. (2007). Zelda Foster and her contributions to end-of-life care in social work. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life Care, 3 (1), 69-82.
Bullock, K. (2007). Grandfathers Raising Grandchildren: An Exploration of African American Kinship Networks. Journal ofHealth and Social Policy , 22 (3/4), 181-197.
Bullock, K., & Thomas, R.L. (2007). The Vulnerability for Elder Abuse Among a Sample of Custodial Grandfathers: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 19 (3/4), 133-150.
Book Reviews
Bullock, K. (2008). The Caregiving Tales: Loss and Renewal in Memoirs of Family Life. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life Care.
Bullock, K. (2006). Talking about death [Book Review]. Virginia Morris. Reprint in Educational Gerontology 32 (5), 600-601.
Bullock, K. (2006). Talking about death [Book Review]. Virginia Morris. Educational Gerontology 32 (5), 389-390.
Bullock, K. (2005). Older people and their caregivers across the spectrum of care [Book Review]. Families in Society, 86 (3), 441-442.
Bullock, K. (2005). Prevention from the Inside Out [Book Review]. Journal of Primary Prevention, 26 (1), 63-65.
Bullock, K (2001). Elder abuse: Practitioner’s guide [Book Review]. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 15 (3), 304-305.
Grants and Sponsored Programs
New York Academy of Medicine/ Social Work Leadership Institute
Practicum Partnership Program; 2006, $75,000
To develop and enhance field education experiences in geriatric settings
John A. Hartford Foundation/ Gerontological Society of America
Preference for Medical Care Treatment; 2005, $100,000
To examine factors that influence the use of end-of-life treatment
NIH, University of Michigan Program for Research on Black Americans
Factors That Influence Advance Care Planning; 2005, ($20,000)
A pilot investigation of advance care planning among older African Americans
Institute of Living/ Hartford Hospital
Dying Experience Among Rcially Diverse Patients; 2004, $10,593
To design a study to examine racial differences in end-of-life care
Project on Death in America/Soros Foundation, End-of-Life Care
Resource Enrichment Center for Improving Care At End of Life; 2003, $65,000
Presentations, Conferences and Lectures
Invited Regional, National, and International Presentations, Workshops and Trainings
Convergence of Race/Ethnicity and Social Class: It's Impact on Child Welfare Services.First Annual Multi-Cultural Social Work Institute at North Carolina State University. Raleigh , NC . November. 1999
Caught in the Middle: Combining Work and Caring for the Elderly in African-American Families. Third Annual UNCW Social Work Student Conference, Wilmington, NC. November. 1999
Cultural Issues and End-of-Life Care. Second Annual End-of-Life Care Conference Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Wilmington, NC. November. 2000
Cultural Diversity for Advance Care Planning Facilitators Carolinas Center for Hospice and End-of-Life Care, Cary, NC, August. 2001
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Practice issues for the new millennium. The 4 th Annual UNCW Social Work Student Conference. Wilmington, NC, November. 2001
Bridging cultures through skills development . The 9th Annual Spring Bioethics Conference of the MAHEC. Asheville, NC. May. 2002
Reflections of Palliative Care: A Vision for the Future. UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine and Duke Institute Sponsored Conference . Wilmington , NC . March. 2003
Culture Matters: Cultural Competence for Quality Care. University of Connecticut Department of Continuing Studies End-of-Life Series. Stamford, CT. September. 2003
Information technology and the dynamics of global relations to meet educational needs: An example of an Internet based resource enrichment center. Presented at the Johns Hopkins University Bologna Center. Bologna, Italy. April. 2004
The impact of family violence on African American grandparents raising grandchildren. Yale University, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Prevention and Community Research. November. 2004
Bullock, K. & Covington, T.M. Promoting early detection and prevention [of Dementia] among minority elders. Presented at the Annual Education Conference of the Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter. Cromwell, CT. March. 2005
Diversity/Minority Issues. Gero-Ed Forum/AGE-SW Roundtable Sessions (Facilitator). Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting. Chicago, IL. February. 2006
The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: A reflection of the black experience. Student Education Forum. Millikin University, Decatur, IL, February. 2006
Cultural Proficiency in End-of-Life Care . New Jersey Health Decisions Statewide Educational Training for Practitioners. Union, NJ. May. 2006
African Americans and End-of-Life Decision Making . The Connecticut Council for Hospice and Palliative Care. Delivering Culturally Competent End-of-Life Care Educational Conference. Westbrook, CT. September. 2006
End-of-Life Care Decision-Making Among Elderly African Americana: Exploring Cultural Barriers to Palliative Care . Grand Rounds. Waterbury Hospital, Waterbury, CT. March 6. 2007
Invited Local Presentations, Seminars, and Workshops
Sociological Issues Influencing Fatherhood in Communities of Color Conference on Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders. Wayne Williams, MEd., Organizer Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, July. 1997
Career Choices in the Social Sciences Undergraduate Student Conference; M.W. Watson, PhD, Organizer Brandeis University, Waltham, MA. April. 1998
Multicultural Practice for Social Workers Cape Fear Chapter of NASW Wilmington , NC , April. 2000
African American Grandparents as Parents: A Needs Assessment. Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital. Grand Rounds. Hartford, CT. January. 2003
Cultural Issues Affecting the Dying Process. Annual Educational Conference of the Connecticut Coalition to Improve End-of-Life Care. Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital. November. 2003
Ethic Consultation. New Milford Hospital . New Milford, CT. February. 2004
End of Life Care and Considerations. Bullock, K., & Robison, J. Trinity College Health Fellows program, Hartford, CT. February. 2004
Cultural Issues and the Impact on Health Care . Hartford Hospital, Social Work Series. Hartford , CT. March. 2004
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: The Impact of Family Violence . Hartman Child & Family Scholars Symposium. Mystic, CT. May. 2004
Robison J, Bullock K, LaRocca C., Hickey E. Overcoming barriers to psychiatric treatment in a diverse population of urban elders . Presented at the Institute for Community Research national conference, Crossroads: Critical Issues in Community Based Research Partnerships, Hartford, CT. June. 2004
Working with families of older adult . Hartford Hospital, Adult Psychiatry Residency Program: Post-Graduate Year 3. Institute of Living, Hartford, CT. August. 2005
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Urban Communities . Caritas Conference. In Praise of Grandparents. Saint Joseph College. West Hartford, CT. May. 2006
Individuals in Crisis: The Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina . Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital. Grand Rounds. May. 2006
Working with families of older adult . Hartford Hospital, Adult Psychiatry Residency Program: Post-Graduate Year 3. Institute of Living, Hartford, CT. August. 2006
Colloquia, Workshops and Training (Unpublished Papers)
Grandparents as Parents: The Experience of African Americans . Meeting of Field Instructors. University of Connecticut School of Social Work. October. 2002
Culture Matters: Cultural Competence for Quality Care. University of Connecticut Health Center. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. February. 2003
Palliative and End-of-Life Care: The Social Work Context . University of Connecticut School of Social Work, STEP Program, February. 2003
Decision-making at End-of-Life: Advance Care Planning Goes Beyond Medical Ethics . University of Connecticut School of Social Work, STEP Program, October. 2003
Who Needs Social Support at the End-of-Life: A Comparison of Three Ethnic Groups of EldersUniversity of Connecticut School of Social Work, November. 2003
Fundamental of Geriatrics: Costs of Eldercare.University of Connecticut Health Center, Center on Aging, Fall Semester. 2003
Palliative and End of Life Care: The Social Work Context University of Connecticut School of Social Work, STEP Program, May. 2004
Decision-making at End-of-Life: Advance Care Planning Goes Beyond Medical Ethics . University of Connecticut School of Social Work, STEP Program, December. 2005
Palliative and End-of-Life Care: The Social Work Context . University of Connecticut School of Social Work, STEP Program, June. 2006
Honors, Fellowships and Distinctions
John A. Hartford/Gerontological Society of America Faculty Scholar, 2005-2007
NASW/CT Educator of the Year Award, 2007
University of Michigan Program for Research on Black Americans (MCUAAAR), 2005-2006
Hartman Family & Child Scholar Award, 2004-2005
Boston University Minority Research Center Fellow (NIDA sponsored) 2000-2002
Center for Teaching Excellence Award, UNC-Wilmington, 2001-2002
Minority Doctoral Student Leadership Program, Gerontological Society of America (GSA), 1997
Outreach and Service
University Service
University of Connecticut, School of Social Work
Black Studies Substantive Area, Chair, 2002-07
Department of Continuing Studies; Planning Committee, 2003-2007
Research Sequence, Chair, 2003-2007
Continuing Education Planning Committee for End-of-life Seminar Series, 2003-05
Educational Review Committee, 2003-2004
Education Policy Committee (Ad Hoc 2002), 2002-07
Professional Service
NASW/CT - Board of Directors 2008-present
Chrysalis Center, Inc. - Board of Directors 2007-present
Connecticut Coalition to Improve End-of-Life Care; Executive Board Member, 2004-08
Hartford Hospital Ethics Committee, Member, 2003-08
Connecticut Public Health Association, Member, 2003-08
Community Service
Connecticut Association for Home Care, Diversity Advisory Board Member, 2006-08
North Central Area Agency on Aging; Executive Board; (elected) V-Pres., President, 2003-08
Truth in Youth and Family Services, Inc., Clinical Consultant, 2001-05