Bios

Alison updyke-neff, msw, dsw, lsw

Alison Updyke Neff (she/her), MSW, DSW is an Associate Professor of Graduate Social Work at West Chester University, where she is also the new Program Director for the HRSA/BHWET grant. Alison co-founded The Center for Carceral Communities in 2015, where she serves as the Clinical Director, coordinating psychosocial care for people impacted by the incarceration system. Her research focuses on clinical and structural interventions in the area of incarceration, with a focus on violence-prevention and diversion support for gun-related charges. She trains agencies and service providers in implementing evidence-based treatment and organizational modalities like motivational interviewing and clinical group interventions. Alison has worked closely with community partners, such as the Community College of Philadelphia, the Public Defender’s Office, and District Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia, as well as with Housing Works in New York to address the needs of marginalized clients.  

Alison previously worked for 10 years as a social worker, therapist, and clinical supervisor with children and families in the Philadelphia foster care system. She also worked for several years as a medical social worker in a center city hospital, where she primarily focused on providing psychosocial support to patients and families experiencing medical crises and trauma.

Cheryl neale-mcfall, PhD, LPC 

Dr. Cheryl Neale-McFall currently serves as the Associate Provost for Research and Creative Activities at West Chester University. Over the past five years, she has served in a variety of leadership roles and has been afforded the opportunity to collaborate with a vast number of colleagues across disciplines, departments, colleges, and the community. She has served as Co-PI and Program Evaluator for the HRSA BHWET grant since its inception in 2017 and has authored/co-authored more than 25 peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and book chapters, and secured over $5M in grant funding. As a part of the EPIC Team, data from the HRSA BHWET grant has been shared and presented locally, regionally, and nationally.

Prior to the HRSA BHWET grant, Dr. Neale-McFall facilitated multiple program evaluations in her postdoctoral training, at community service board agencies, at WCU and for private entities. She also had the opportunity to work in an Integrated Care setting during her time as a doctoral student at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where she worked with medical doctors, behavioral specialists, social workers, and psychiatrists to advocate for patients to receive the care they needed.

Wendy myers, lsw 

Wendy has been working with the WCU HRSA Grant Program since she assisted in writing the first HRSA Grant application in 2017 as a Graduate Assistant. She has served as the Program Coordinator since 2018. Wendy works collaboratively with the Directors of Practicum Experience from the MSW, MEd School Counseling, and PsyD departments in maintaining continuous contact with EPIC Awardees, practicum sites, and acts as the liaison between EPIC, WCU, and the community. She brings her experience as Interim Director of Practicum Education for the Graduate Social Work department, having developed a relationship with a majority of MSW practicum sites. Prior to moving from Chester County, she helped establish the Chester County ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Coalition and interned as a hospice social worker.

In addition to her role with EPIC, Wendy currently works full-time as a Palliative Care Social Worker on an integrated care team at a Level 1 Trauma Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. The team supports patients and families as they navigate goals and decision-making while being treated for chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

Wendy has an MSW and a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology from West Chester University and a BA in Management Science and Economics from Lycoming College. She lives in Pittsburgh with her family and their beautiful rescued hound, Frida.

WEndy Li, mS Candidate

Wendy Li serves as a Graduate Assistant with the EPIC Program at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU). Since joining the program this year, Wendy has played a role in supporting the team’s planning, implementation, and data analysis efforts. Her contributions are enriched by her previous experience as a Graduate Research Assistant, where she developed a strong foundation in research methodologies.

Wendy’s diverse background includes mentoring minority high school students, a role that allowed her to engage with and support underrepresented communities. Her professional journey has also encompassed significant work in organizational development and survey development, particularly during her roles at Volvo Group, Parkway Corporation, and Johnstone Supply. These experiences have equipped Wendy with extensive expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research, which she now brings to the EPIC team.

During her Master of Science program at WCU, Wendy discovered her passion for psychometrics and assessments, areas in which she has since focused her academic and professional endeavors. Her work with the EPIC Program reflects her commitment to applying her expertise in these fields to enhance program outcomes and support the development of innovative educational initiatives.