Clark Peters

Clark Peters is an Associate Professor at the University of Missouri School of Social Work, with cross-appointments at the Truman School of Public Affairs and the University of Missouri Law School. He serves as a Policy Research Scholar at the Institute of Public Policy, focusing on vulnerable youth transitions to adulthood, child welfare services, and judicial oversight of dependency cases.

• PhD, University of Chicago (2010)
• MSW, University of Chicago (2005)
• JD, Cornell University (1992)

His research spans foster care, financial literacy, juvenile justice, and community-engaged methodologies. Recent projects include partnerships with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to integrate financial capability into child welfare and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation initiative to reduce youth violence through school-community collaboration.

The 15 most recent publications highlight his interdisciplinary approach, combining social work, law, and public health. Themes include resilience-building, prison reform, and the intersection of policy and practice in child welfare systems.

• 2015 Outstanding Faculty Award from the School of Social Work’s Alumni Association

Dr. Peters leads the Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program and has developed courses on social justice, law, and interdisciplinary teaching. His work with the Annie E. Casey Foundation and FACE underscores his commitment to systemic change and community health.