Michigan State University School of Social Work
Dr. Vélez Ortiz, M.S.W., Ph.D., is an assistant professor with a joint appointment in the School of Social Work and the Julian Samora Research Institute. He is from Puerto Rico and has been in the Midwest, specifically Indiana and Illinois, throughout his higher education. His areas of research are in Latino older adults, mental health services, community service integration, and organizational factors relating to service delivery. His long-term work aims to integrate community mental health literacy and services into community spaces where older adults, particularly Latino groups, naturally gather. He would like to develop a link between disconnected systems of care using technology and other available resources. Dr. Vélez Ortiz has deep commitment to an applied focus in his research, where he has advanced knowledge with an emphasis on improving the lives of Latinos and other minorities across different age groups. He is also active in outreach and leadership. For instance, he collaborates with the State of Michigan Office of Services to the Aging. He enjoys opportunities to serve and present research or educational workshops.