Karla Shockley McCarthy, PhD, LMSW, FSW, TRCC (she/her), joined GRC in 2024, where she serves as a Senior Research Consultant. She specializes in mixed methods research, has expertise in developing and validating surveys and measures, and has extensive experience in spatial intervention, evaluation, and implementation research. Karla has collaborated with federal and state agencies on projects aimed at promoting family unity and well-being for families involved in the child welfare and judicial systems due to parental opioid misuse. At GRC, Karla serves as the principal investigator for the Next Generation Managed Care: Monitoring and Evaluation (MNGE) and the Ohio Medicaid Health Care Safety Net Evaluation (OHSN) projects.
Dr. Shockley McCarthy is a licensed mental health professional and educator whose research focuses on promoting resilience and well-being among professionals, children, and families. Drawing on her interdisciplinary background in history, economics, education, and business, she explores themes of identity, values, and belonging, as well as the social drivers of health and resilience. Her work includes participatory research and the development of psychoeducational tools to translate research into practical resources for families, educators, and providers.
Dr. Karla Shockley McCarthy holds a B.A. in History with a concentration in Economics from Allegheny College, a Secondary Social Studies Teaching Certification from the University of Pittsburgh, and both an MSW and Ph.D. in Social Work from The Ohio State University. She has presented her research at leading national and international conferences and published in top-tier peer-reviewed journals across public health, social work, and education. Her scholarly publications are available on her Google Scholar profile.