Colleen Katz

Colleen Katz is Associate Professor at Silberman School of Social Work (CUNY) researching child welfare outcomes and trauma-informed interventions. Doris Duke Fellow with expertise in foster care transitions and intimate partner violence. Primary investigator on studies examining suicidal behavior among transition-age foster youth.

Research focuses on:

• Mental health outcomes for foster youth
• Child welfare workforce retention and well-being
• Intimate partner violence prevention
• Trauma-informed assessment protocols

Recent publications (2023-2025) emphasize suicide prevention, reproductive justice, and workforce sustainability in child welfare systems. Work demonstrates strong commitment to culturally responsive assessment and intervention design.

Leads Photovoice For Change project and Building the Case initiative to find families for older foster youth. Recipient of PSC-CUNY research awards and Doris Duke Fellowship for Child Well-Being.

Teaches human behavior courses integrating trauma-informed perspectives and child welfare policy.