Traci L LaLiberte

Traci L LaLiberte is a Research Director in the Department of Social Work at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She has served as Principal Investigator on 61 projects since 2005, with ongoing grants from the Minnesota Department of Human Services and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services until 2029. Her work centers on Title IV-E child welfare training programs and systemic reforms.

• Institution: University of Minnesota Twin Cities
• Role: Research Director
• Primary Funding: Minnesota Department of Human Services

Research Interests include child well-being, safety, child protection, foster care, permanency, disability, and system change. She specializes in:

• Child protection policy and practice
• Disability-inclusive social services
• Data-driven child welfare reforms
• Workforce training (Title IV-E programs)
• Family support systems
• Permanency planning

Publication Trends (2018-2021) show sustained focus on Title IV-E training efficacy, child protection workforce diversity, and outcomes in foster/adoption care. Methodologically, she employs latent class analysis and policy evaluation frameworks. Key collaborations with J. Kim, K. Piescher, and E. Lightfoot appear across child welfare journals.

Training Programs: As Director of Title IV-E BSW/MSW training academies, she leads initiatives for child welfare workforce development. Notable projects include:

• Training Academy 100% Child Welfare Training (2019-2029)
• Title IV-E MSW Training (2022-2027)
• Child Protection Workforce Diversification Research