While IACFP is very excited about its next steps on the IACFP Strategic Pillars 2025-2031, it is also sad to say “good-bye” to one of its drafters, i.e. Matt Epperson. Matt joined the board six years ago when IACFP was trying to increase its diversity not only internationally but also in terms of professional areas of specialization. They wanted another “voice” at the leadership table. IACFP specifically sought to find someone known for their research and practice in social work AND that aligned with the IACFP mission. They couldn’t have found anyone better than Matt Epperson, MSW, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Chicago, Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice.
During the six years that Matt has served on the board, he has become known for his contributions to board discussions. As one board member said, “I don’t think the I’ve ever heard Matt make a comment that wasn’t measured, thought-through and always worth considering”. One explicit example of that was when IACFP developed and published its 2020 statement condemning racism. Another example was when he nominated and helped to arrange for Dr. Reuben Jonathan Miller to be the 2022 IACFP Distinguished Scholar to present a keynote lecture to the ICPA Annual Conference.
Matt has also been a leader and voice for community corrections. He co-chaired the two-year IACFP project that resulted in the 2023 publication of “Mental Health and Community Corrections: International Perspectives”, a report and recommendations. The project required the IACFP to select a project director and four research assistants to make up a global team that could not only complete a literature review but also conduct a survey and interviews around the world and complete a thematic analysis upon which to base recommendations. The team demonstrated another way of doing business for IACFP as well as examined a critical area of concern, i.e., community corrections. Three of the research assistants published their work in Advancing Corrections and the team presented at the virtual ICPA annual conference in 2021 and the 3rd CRS Symposium in Porto, Portugal. One of the recommendations for continuing professional development resulted in webinars on motivational interviewing for co-occurring disorders and trauma-informed practices and MI, both of which continue to be available to IACFP members. Several board members have noted that Matt’s leadership on this project left a lasting mark on the organization.
The final area where Matt made significant contributions to IACFP was as a member of the Student Research Award Committee. Every year that Matt served on the board, he took time to review all of the applications for the student research awards. His reviews were thoughtful and balanced a consideration for solid research with potential for innovation. He was a consistent advocate for IACFP to provide additional awards when the quality of research warranted it.
In the last year, Matt was appointed as director of his school’s doctoral program. The workload associated with this appointment along with his work as Director, Smart Decarceration Project and his ongoing research led Matt to end his IACFP board service as he completes his current term at the end of this year. He shared with the board that while his professional priorities were a consideration, he also feels that the board is in a great place to advance its mission. He ended his message to them with, “…while I believe that my ‘outside’ perspective has been helpful, I think the current board and leadership is uniquely equipped to have considerable impact in the years to come. I truly hope that my replacement on the board will only strengthen that potential for impact.” Matt’s perspective, thoughtful and informed contributions have had an impact. As IACFP advances the voice of psychology in corrections in the future, it will be heavily influenced by Matt’s voice and focus on social work, those who are impacted by carceral systems and community.
