September 26, 2017
Mitzi Lauderdale awarded grant from Social Security Administration
Submitted by College of Human Ecology
Mitzi Lauderdale, doctoral student in personal financial planning, has been awarded a grant from the Social Security Administration's Analyzing Relationships between Disability, Rehabilitation and Work Small Grant Program.
Lauderdale's project, "Work transitions among Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients nearing retirement: Employer accommodations, private insurance and individuals with mental health disability," looks to explore work transitions, employer accommodations, private insurance, and focus on individuals reporting disability due to mental illness.
The one-year stipend will allow Lauderdale to conduct supervised independent researched designed to foster new analysis of work, rehabilitation and disability issues, which may develop innovative and fresh perspectives on disability.
Stuart Heckman, assistant professor of personal financial planning, served as Lauderdale's faculty mentor.
"Mitzi's award from the Social Security Administration highlights the quality of our graduate students and the quality of their research," Heckman said. "The award also gives Mitzi an opportunity to have a real impact on society — her results will be helpful in shaping public policy on disability and transitions back to work."