Young Leaders in Public Service with Washtenaw County Commissioner Justin Hodge

Ford School students are invited to join the Program in Practical Policy Engagement for a discussion with Justin Hodge, Washtenaw County Commissioner and U-M clinical assistant professor of social work.

About our speaker

Justin Hodge is a clinical assistant professor of social work at the University of Michigan. He is the co-lead for the Policy & Political Social Work Pathway and the director of the Online Certificate in Political Social Work. Hodge is committed to increasing the presence of social workers in policy and political spaces. He teaches courses that provide students with the tools to engage in politics and approach policy work from a social justice perspective.

Hodge was elected to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners in November 2020. As a county commissioner, he brings his social work perspective to addressing the most pressing problems facing Washtenaw County. Professor Hodge has a particular focus on addressing inequities in the county and promoting economic opportunity.

Nationally, Hodge serves as the director of education for the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy, which works to expand the participation of social workers in federal legislative and policy processes. As director of education, Hodge designs curricula on topics important for the field of social work to engage in, such as protecting democracy and criminal justice reform.

Hodge is dedicated to mental health and public health on both a policy and individual level. He has provided therapy to children and families, case management to individuals with developmental disabilities and has coordinated clinics for children in crisis. By leveraging his experiences as both a clinical and macro social work practitioner, Hodge aims to bridge the gap between the two for students. He feels strongly that all social workers should be involved in our democracy and works individually with students to help them find how their desired career can align with that.

P3E's Young Leaders in Public Service series provides the opportunity for a small group of Ford School students to hear from and talk with elected officials and staff who will share their journeys, what led them to dedicating their lives to public service, and the skills that have helped them be successful.

• Local government
• public policy