“Social work really aligned with my desire to help people like those I grew up with find resources for mental health, financial assistance, food assistance, even scholarships for college like I found for myself,” she said.

Johnson, who earned a bachelor’s in social work degree from the UofL Kent School of Social Work and Family Science in May, said she faced financial and family hardships growing up in the Portland neighborhood and debated whether to go to college. Fortunately, Johnson ultimately found her ideal path as a first-generation student at Kent School. She interned at the Department of Child-Based Services through Kentucky’s Child Welfare CW-PREP, an innovative career preparation program that provides scholarship funds and a path to employment for students interested in making a positive impact serving the children and families of Kentucky.

“I grew up around individuals impacted by the child welfare system, and it shaped my desire to be a social worker who leads with understanding rather than judgment,” Johnson said.

As a Kroger Scholar, Johnson has been a coordinator for Nourish the Ville, a food drive targeting the West Louisville “food deserts” and partnering with the local non-profit Cabbage Patch. She also founded the Black Business Society, a club which connects UofL students with networking, career assistance, financial literacy, mental health and other resources. Johnson hopes to continue both these community service activities beyond graduation.

UofL News talked to Ka’Lynn about how University of Louisville and Kent School have influenced her life path and what’s next for her.

UofL News: As a recent Kent School graduate, what have you learned about the impact social workers can make?

Johnson: Social workers create impact at every level for individual, family, and community by being both advocates and support systems. For individuals, social workers provide guidance, mental health support and resources during vulnerable moments. For families, they help strengthen communication, promote reunification when safe and connect them to tools that build stability. On a community level, social workers address systemic issues such as poverty, food insecurity and access to health care.

UofL News: How has your social work education and training in CW Prep enhanced your understanding of the clients you hope to serve?

Johnson: The training has given me a greater understanding of trauma, resilience and systemic barriers. From coursework and hands on experience in child welfare, I have learned that families are often navigating generational challenges, not just isolated problems. It also helped me understand the importance of trauma-informed practice, ethical decision-making, clear communication and empathy while maintaining professional boundaries.

UofL News: How does social work embody your passion and purpose?

Johnson: Social work reflects my personal mission to create stability and opportunity for families who may feel unheard or unsupported. My passion is in helping families break cycles of instability and access the resources they deserve. Social work allows me to turn my experiences, education, and leadership into meaningful action.

UofL News: How do you hope to help your clients in the field?

Johnson: I want to provide trauma-informed mental health support and empower them to see their own strengths. I want families to leave services feeling more stable, confident and hopeful about their future. I also hope to mentor other students entering social work, especially those facing personal hardship, to show them that resilience and purpose can coexist. I want to model leadership that is grounded in service and integrity.

UofL News: What are your post-graduation plans?

Johnson: I currently work as a pharmacy technician at Kroger but hope to transition soon to work at DCBS and gain a few years of experience there before considering other options like perhaps starting my own non-profit. I want to become a licensed social worker and plan to begin my MSSW (master of science in social work) program at UofL in spring 2027.

UofL News: What has been the best part of your UofL Kent School experience?

Johnson: As a Kent School graduate, I am proud to be part of a 90-year legacy that values service, advocacy and community transformation. My journey has not been easy, but it has strengthened my commitment to becoming a future licensed clinical social worker who leads with empathy and courage. I am grateful for the education and mentorship that have prepared me to carry this mission forward.

Behavioral Health Service Organizations fall under a license category created by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The designation was established to increase the number of entities in Kentucky that provide behavioral health services to Medicaid recipients in community-based programs.

“This classification allows our team to provide behavioral health services to a broader spectrum of our community, as many vulnerable individuals rely on these programs to receive mental health care,” said Anna Faul, executive director of the UofL Trager Institute. 

Faul says the change means the institute can hire more providers and scale services to their already existing statewide network established through the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) and Behavioral Health Workforce Enhancement Program (BHWEP).

The UofL Trager Institute grant-supported GWEP and BHWEP programs provide health care and behavioral care training, care coordination and health resources through a partnership network that includes all 15 Area Development Districts covering 120 counties in Kentucky.

The institute philosophy integrates behavioral health and primary care, as reflected in their  – a care coordination approach to health and well-being that addresses six comprehensive determinants of a patient’s health. 

“Mental health is deeply connected to our overall health and well-being as we age,” said Joe D’Ambrosio, director of wellness at the UofL Trager Institute. “The greater emotional strain of loss, mobility restrictions and physical changes can cause older adults to be at greater risk of developing serious, chronic mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety. In our practice, we are finding that both depression and anxiety are on an increase across all ages.”

Approximately 20% of adults in the United States age 18 and older are affected by . For older adults, but least recognized disorders.

D’Ambrosio says, “In addition to the emotional and psychological toll, untreated mental health issues can cause greater physical distress through increased inflammation and stress on the body. Untreated mental health issues can, therefore, lead to further negative physical decline, especially for those who may have multiple chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or COPD.”

The importance of expanding accessible and affordable behavioral health services to all individuals, and especially older adults, is underscored by data showing 30-to-80% of all primary care visits are driven in part by behavioral health conditions. Evidence equally suggests that integrating a comprehensive behavioral health approach to primary care can improve emotional and mental well-being while increasing adherence to chronic disease treatment protocols.

The UofL Trager Institute provides a variety of behavioral health service options and modalities at its Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic, including individual and group therapy, couples and marriage counseling and  for addressing depression in older adults. All services are available virtually.

To learn more about the behavioral health and tele-health offerings, visit .