PAMELA A. CLARKSON FREEMAN, PHD, MSW
University of Maryland School of Social Work
Ruth H. Young Center for Families & Children
525 West Baltimore Street Baltimore, MD 21201
PHONE 410-706-6349 • E-MAIL
EDUCATION
Ph.D. University at Albany, State University of New York, 2007
M.S.W. University at Albany, State University of New York, 1999
B.A. Hartwick College, 1996
SKILLS
· Program Evaluation and Quantitative Methods
· Applied Statistics
· Intervention Research with At-Risk Youth and Families
· Social Work Practice with Children and Families
CAREER INTERESTS
· Prevention of child maltreatment and adverse childhood experiences
· Early childhood trauma, mental health, and social-emotional development
· Research methodology and statistics
INDEPENDENT EXTERNAL RESEARCH FUNDING
2014-2016 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Extramural Pediatric Loan Repayment Program (LRP), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD, $54,283)
2012–2014 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Extramural Pediatric Loan Repayment Program (LRP), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD, $63,939)
2009-2012 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative Community Treatment and Services Centers Grant (Category III); The Safety Net with Young Children (Co-author and Evaluator; $1.2 million)
2011-2012 University of Maryland School of Social Work Designated Research Initiative Fund (DRIF) Award (PI, $25,000)
2010-2011 Administration for Children and Youth (ACY) State Advisory Council on Early Care and Education, Office of the Governor (TA and Evaluation, $70,000)
2007-2011 Title IV-E, Utah Division of Child and Family Services (Research PI, $300,000/year)
2008-2010 Maternal and Child Health Bureau State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Grant (Co-author and Evaluator, $120,000)
2008-2009 University of Utah Interdisciplinary Seed Grant (Co-PI; $5,000)
2008-2010 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Community Mental Health Block Grant, Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (Co-PI, $250,000)
2008-2009 National Alliance on Mental Illness of Utah (Evaluator, $50,000)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2011 – present Research Assistant Professor
University of Maryland School of Social Work
Ruth H. Young Center for Families & Children
Baltimore, Maryland
2007 – 2011 Research Assistant Professor/Associate Director
University of Utah College of Social Work, Social Research Institute
Salt Lake City, Utah
2006 – 2007 Research Consultant/Project Manager
Utah Department of Health Office of Health Care Statistics
Salt Lake City, Utah
2004 - 2005 Research Assistant
University of Colorado Kempe Center
Denver, Colorado
2002 - 2004 Research Assistant/Project Manager
School of Social Welfare
University at Albany, State University of New York
2002 – 2004 Adjunct Faculty
School of Social Welfare
University at Albany, State University of New York
2000 – 2006 Adjunct Faculty
Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, New York
2001 – 2002 Field Instructor
School of Social Welfare
University at Albany, State University of New York
2000 – 20002 Psychiatric Social Worker
New York State Capital District Psychiatric Center
Albany, New York
1999 – 2000 Day Treatment Social Worker
Parsons Child and Family Center
Albany, New York
1999 Prevention Social Worker
Trinity Institution – Home Perkins Centers, Inc.
Albany, New York
1998 - 1999 Clinical Social Work Intern
Parsons Child and Family Center
Albany, New York
1997 – 1998 School Social Work Intern
Albany City School District
Albany, New York
EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW
Research
· The National Center for Evidence-Based Practice in Child Welfare. (HHS-2013-ACF-ACYF-CT-0595). Evaluation Director. Examining the implementation and impact of Partnering for Success, an integrated, sustainable, cross-systems workforce competency model to improve mental health outcomes for child welfare-involved children and youth. (2013-2018).
· Initiative to Reduce Long-Term Foster Care (HHS-2010-ACF-ACYF-CT-0022). Co-Principal Investigator. Examining the impact of the Safety Intervention Permanency System (SIPS), the integration of the Safety Assessment Family Evaluation system (SAFE) and Family Connections (FC) program, in reducing the number of children in long-term foster care. (2010 - 2015).
· Early Identification of Risk (Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University). Principal Investigator. This “connection” grant was submitted to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University to continue work utilizing a revised adult and child ACEs screening to identify risk among young children. This is a collaborative effort that includes multiple states engaged in the ACEs workgroup as part of the Frontiers of Innovation Initiative. (2013-2014).
· New York City Family Connections Collaborative (NYC FCC). (DePanfilis, D., PI). NYC FCC is replicating Family Connections across nine preventive child welfare agencies in New York City. My primary responsibilities include quality assurance development and execution; workforce survey development and analysis; and, the use of the computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) to examine various risk and protective factors. (2013-2014).
· Florida Family Connections Collaborative (FL FCC). (DePanfilis, D., PI). The purpose of FC, as applied by the Florida Family Connections Collaborative, is to serve children in the most appropriate, least restrictive setting, decrease the recurrence of child maltreatment, and address factors related to child maltreatment in order to decrease the risk of out-of-home placement. KIDS Central and Partnership for Strong Families adopted the Family Connections model to implement evidence-based and outcomes-oriented family services. This is consistent with DCF’s Safety Methodology, which determines the safety of children and the family’s risk for future maltreatment by conducting the DCF Family Functioning Assessment (FFA). For families where the FFA determined the children to be safe but at risk of maltreatment, Family Connections would work to decrease the likelihood of future maltreatment. My primary responsibilities include quality assurance development and execution, and workforce survey development and analysis. (2013-2014).
· Family Connections, Baltimore. Evaluator. Examining the impact of Family Connections Baltimore, Grandparent Family Connections and Trauma Adapted Family Connections on family and child well-being, safety, and permanency. (2011- present).
· Maryland LAUNCH (1SM061290-01). Evaluation Principal Investigator. Enhancing the collaboration among State and local child-serving agencies; increasing the use of early screenings, assessments, and mental health consultations; increasing integration of behavioral health and primary care; enhancing home visiting; and, providing family strengthening and parent skills training to promote the physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and behavioral wellbeing of children birth to age eight and their families. (2012-2014)
· Promise Heights Child Welfare Early Education Collaboration (HHS-2012-ACF-CO-0315). Evaluation Principal Investigator. Building cross-agency and cross-community collaborations to improve outcomes for infants, toddlers, and families who are in, or at risk of entering, the child welfare system. (2012-2014)
· University of Maryland School of Social Work Designated Research Initiative Fund (DRIF) Award. Examining the impact of complex trauma on children engaged in the child welfare system. (2011-2012)
· Making Place Matter through Family Kin Connections (HHS-2009-ACF-ACYF-CF-0078). Evaluator. Examining the impact of Family Kin Connections on permanency and child and family well-being for children at risk of entering, or residing in, foster care. (2010 - 2012).
· The Safety Net Program for Families with Young Children (1U79SM059489-01). Evaluator. Examining the impact of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), and Wrap-Around Services for children and families who have experienced trauma. (2009 - 2012).
· Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation. Evaluator. Implementing and evaluating the impact of early childhood mental health consultation in early care and education settings. (2009 – 2010).
· Evaluation of the Peer Parenting Program in Utah. Principal Investigator. Mixed-methods study examining the administrative and personal impact of the peer parenting program on the lives of children and their families. (2009 – 2011).
· Disproportionality in the Utah Child Welfare System Across Points of Decision-Making. Principal Investigator. Examination of disproportionality in the Utah foster care system using Utah administrative data. (2009 – 2010).
· Needs Assessment for Individuals with Mental Health and/or Co-Occurring Substance Use/Abuse Disorders. Principal Investigator. Exploration of gaps and needs in services for individuals across the state of Utah with current or previous mental health and/or substance use/abuse disorders. (2009 – 2010).
· Increasing Coordination and Collaboration among Early Childhood Systems of Care. Grant writer and Facilitator. Facilitate meetings for the submission of a grant proposal for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to improve coordination and collaboration among early childhood education and care program and services. (2009 – 2013).
· Child Care Needs Assessment for Faculty, Staff, and Students. Conducting a University-wide survey of child care needs for faculty, staff, and students as part of a child care task force affiliated with the University of Utah Presidential Commission on the Status of Women. (2009 – present).
· Whole Health Collaboration Project. Evaluator. Evaluated a mental health integration program being implemented in two community-based health clinics. (2008 – 2009).
· The Beliefs, Attitudes, and Experiences with Physical and Mental Health Care among Individuals with Immigrant or Refugee Backgrounds. Principal Investigator. Qualitative study of Hispanic, Somali, and Somali Bantu men and women who have moved into Utah. (2008-2009).
· Statewide Survey of Challenging Behaviors for Young Children in Early Care and Education Settings. Principal Investigator. Conducted a statewide survey of all licensed early care and education settings across the state of Utah to examine the occurrence of challenging behaviors among children birth to age eight. (2008-2009).
· Adoptive Parenting Program. Evaluator. Evaluated the impact of an adoptive parenting program provided to individuals who were, or were interested in becoming, foster care parents in Utah. (2007-2008).
Clinical
· Psychiatric Social Worker - Conducted individual and group therapy with adults suffering from chronic mental illness residing in a New York State psychiatric hospital (Capital District Psychiatric Center); Engaged in discharge planning with a multi-disciplinary team. (2000-2002).
· Day Treatment Clinician - Conducted family and individual therapy with children as Emotionally Disturbed (ED) engaged in an alternative education setting. Collaborated with children, families and school personnel to manage crises and obstacles in returning the child to his/her home school district. (1999-2000).
· Prevention Social Worker – Collaborated with families, children, and Child Protective Services (CPS) to prevent out-of-home placement for at-risk youth; conducted in-home visits with children and families; advocated for clients in school and legal settings. (1999).
Teaching
· Social Work Research – University of Maryland School of Social Work, MSW Program, Fall 2013, Fall 2014
· Evaluation Research – University of Maryland School of Social Work, MSW Program, Spring 2013
· Advanced Research II in Public Services – University of Utah College of Social Work, MSW Program
· Independent Study – Applied Statistics – University of Utah College of Social Work, PhD Program
· Applied Research Methods – University of Utah College of Social Work, PhD Program
· Family Violence and Abuse – Online Course offered through Empire State College, BA Program, Saratoga Springs, New York
· Introduction to Research Methods – University at Albany, School of Social Welfare, BSW Program
· Human Behavior in the Social Environment I & II – University at Albany, School of Social welfare, MSW Program
· Field Instructor – University at Albany, School of Social Welfare, MSW Program
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
Clarkson Freeman, P.A. (in press). Prevalence and Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Child Behavior Among Young Children Engaged in the Child Welfare System. Infant Mental Health Journal.
Murray, K.W., Rushovich, B., Clarkson Freeman, P.A., & Woodruff. K. (under review). Maryland's Kinship Navigator Program: A comprehensive approach to support informal kinship caregivers. Journal of Public Child Welfare.
Bettmann, J.E., Clarkson Freeman, P.A., Parry, K.J. (under review). Differences between adopted and non-adopted adolescents in wilderness and residential treatment. Journal of Experiential Education.
Bettmann, J.E., Penney, D., Clarkson Freeman, P.A., & Lecy, N. (under review). Somali Refugees’ Perceptions of Mental Illness. Journal of Refugee Studies.
Collins, K., Clarkson Freeman, P.A., Strieder, F., & Baldwin, C. (under revision). A treatment outcome study of reducing developmental and complex trauma symptomatology with families to prevent child abuse and neglect: Trauma Adapted Family Connections. Families in Society.
Clarkson Freeman, P.A., Penney, D., Bettmann Schaefer, J.E., & Lecy, N. (2013). “The Intersection of Health Beliefs and Spirituality among Somali Refugees: A Qualitative Study”. Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work, 32(1), 1-13.
Collins, K., Strieder, F., DePanfilis, D., Tabor, M., Clarkson Freeman, P.A., Linde, L., & Greenberg, P. (2011). “Trauma Adapted Family Connections (TA-FC): Reducing Developmental and Complex Trauma Symptomatology to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect”. Child Welfare, 90(6), 29-47.
Shah, G.H., Clarkson Freeman, P.A., Cofrin, K., & Xu, W. (2007). “Cesarean Deliveries and Newborn Injuries: Evidence from Linked Utah Birth Certificate and Inpatient Discharge Data.” Utah’s Health: An Annual Review, XII, 10-24.
Clarkson-Freeman, P. (2005). The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA): Its Impact on Those Seeking Same-Sex Marriages. Journal of Homosexuality, 48(2), 1-19.
Book Reviews:
“Distance Counseling: Expanding the Counselor’s Reach and Impact” by J.F. Malone, R.M. Miller, and G.R. Walz. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 2009, 27(3), 252-255.
“Suppressed, Forced Out, and Fired: How Successful Women Lose Their Jobs” by Martha E. Reeves. AFFILIA: Journal of Women and Social Work, Winter 2002, 17(4).
REPORTS
Clarkson Freeman, P.A., DePanfilis, D., & Bartley, L. (2014, August). SAFE-FC Fidelity Review: Protective Capacity Family Assessment (PCFA) and SMART Case Planning, Change Focused Intervention, Safety Management, and PCFA/Closure Report - report submitted to the Washoe County Department of Social Services. Baltimore, MD: Ruth H. Young Center for Children and Families at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.
Clarkson Freeman, P.A., DePanfilis, D., & Bartley, L. (2014, February). New York City Family Connections Collaborative (NYC FCC) Fidelity Review: Astor Family Services – report submitted to Astor Family Services. Baltimore, MD: Ruth H. Young Center for Children and Families at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.
Clarkson Freeman, P.A., DePanfilis, D., & Bartley, L. (2014, February). New York City Family Connections Collaborative (NYC FCC) Fidelity Review: Catholic Guardian Services (CGS) – report submitted to Catholic Guardian Services. Baltimore, MD: Ruth H. Young Center for Children and Families at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.