By Christian Wommack and Jaelon Jackson
School of Social Work
Tiffany Tate, CEO of The Family Place and UTA graduate
Today, we spotlight Tiffany Tate, CEO of The Family Place, the largest domestic violence service provider in Texas. In this interview, Tiffany shares her journey, experiences at the University of Texas at Arlington’s School of Social Work, and valuable advice for the next generation of social workers.
Q: Why did you choose to attend UTA’s School of Social Work?
Tiffany: At the time I was a wife and mother to a teenager and two toddlers. UTA offered a commuter program for working adults with class times that I could work into my busy schedule. I was so grateful that UTA provided an option for me to continue my education in a non-traditional manner.
Q: Describe your experience at UTA.
Tiffany: What I loved most about UTA when I attended was the family feeling. UTA was really small—I don’t believe there were even dormitories at the time—but attending class in the Social Work building felt like showing up to a family reunion. The professors were so invested in our success, and the students were so engaged, supportive, and excited to be there. I loved that feeling, and it made the twice-a-week drive from Richardson to Arlington not so bad!
Q: Tell us a little about “The Family Place,” the largest domestic violence service provider in Texas.
Tiffany: The Family Place is the largest provider of comprehensive family violence services in Texas, serving over 44,000 people in 2023. Programs include a 24-hour hotline, three emergency shelters (including the state's only shelter for men and their children), a transitional housing program with 25 apartments, three counseling centers, two medical clinics, a dental clinic, a job readiness program, violence prevention education programs for schools, court-ordered supervised visitation, court-ordered counseling for abusers, and legal services. All survivor services are free and provided in Spanish and English.
Q: How did UTA help prepare you for your career?
Tiffany: I grew so much both personally and professionally during my time at UTA. My experiences inside and outside of the classroom all helped shape my skillset and my passion for social work. My UTA education really has been the foundation of my career and played an important role in my journey to where I am now as the CEO of The Family Place.
Q: What aspects of your social work degree have been most valuable in leading a nonprofit organization?
Tiffany: I could name many, but I believe critical thinking and problem-solving skills are at the top of the list. Nonprofit organizations are founded to help solve critical challenges in our communities, and those challenges are constantly evolving. It’s so important to have those skills to remain nimble and able to adjust to the needs of your service area. This probably goes without saying, but I can’t help but add the importance of passion. That is the core driver of why I do what I do at The Family Place: to support women, men, and children in need of safety from domestic violence.
Q: How do principles from social work practice influence your leadership style and decision-making?
Tiffany: The principles of social work—service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence—influence my leadership style daily and have helped to form the legacy I want to establish. The whole practice of social work is servant leadership. Of course, this is how we operate as an organization in serving survivors, but I also feel like it has influenced my leadership and decision-making style. Prioritizing connections with our hard-working employees, who make everything we do at The Family Place possible, is very important to me. I believe that a positive relationship-based culture is key to serving our clients well.
Q: Is there a particular social work theory or practice that continues to inspire you in your work today?
Tiffany: Social work theory provides frameworks for understanding human behavior and social systems that guide effective practice in the field. There are three theories that continue to inspire my work today: Psychosocial Theory, Systems Theory, and Empowerment Theory. In working with survivors, or any disenfranchised population, it is important that we assess and understand the impact of a person’s history and also how experiences across the lifespan and experiences in various systems impact their functioning in the present. In addition, I wholeheartedly believe that people are most successful when we focus on their strengths as opposed to their weaknesses. People are motivated by a kind, empathic connection that results from seeing the good in each individual and not what needs to be corrected.
Q: What advice do you have for the next generation of social workers?
Tiffany: Never underestimate the impact you can make. I have the privilege of witnessing firsthand the difference that every single individual on our team makes every day for survivors of domestic violence. Especially when you have passion and dedication, there’s no limit to what you can accomplish.
