Research Staff > Liz Tillander

Liz Tillander, LLMSW, oversees Detroit community outreach activities under the direction of Sheryl Pimlott Kubiak, Ph. D., Associate Professor, MSU School of Social Work. Tillander, earned her MSW from Wayne State University in 2008 and a BBA from Walsh College in 1996. She brings 17 years of business management experience to her work with women involved with the criminal justice system. Tillander most recently served as manager of women’s programs at Matrix Human Services in Detroit, overseeing programs focused on meeting the needs of women with histories of incarceration, domestic violence, substance abuse, and homelessness. She currently serves on the board of directors and executive committee for Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) in Pontiac and as a group facilitator at Boys and Girls Clubs of South Oakland County in Royal Oak and Renaissance Unity in Warren.

Current Research Projects

Assessing the Needs and Help Seeking Behaviors of Women Exiting Criminal Justice Institutions.

Project Coordinator. Focus groups and individual interviews conducted to determine women's prioritization of need in several domains: housing, treatment/health, physical safety, family relationships, employment and education, etc. This research is located within Wayne County and involves the jail and several community agencies. Funded by the MSU Office of Outreach and Engagement.

Assessing Performance Measurement in Community-Based Treatment Purchased by DOC.

Project Coordinator. Seven-state case study approach examining within and between state policies and practices regarding the treatment of individuals involved in the criminal justice system that are in community settings. Funded by Robert Wood Johnson Substance Abuse Policy Research Program.

Evaluation of Wayne County Mental Health Court.

Research Specialist. Process and outcome evaluation of the Third Circuit Court Mental Health Court in Wayne County. Funded by the State Court Administrative Office and Detroit/Wayne County Community Mental Health.

Community Involvement

In my research and consulting I have worked with the following community-based organizations:

Board of Directors, Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency, Pontiac, MI
Group Facilitator, Boys and Girls Clubs of South Oakland County, Royal Oak, MI
Group Facilitator, Renaissance Unity, Warren, MI