LeaAnne DeRigne

LeaAnne DeRigne is a Professor at the Sandler School of Social Work, Florida Atlantic University. Her expertise lies in health care policy, particularly mental health access for children and familial impacts of having children with special needs. She holds a PhD and MSW from Washington University in St. Louis, and a BS in Psychology from Missouri State University. Previously, she served as a Visiting Professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (2006-2008) and worked as a policy analyst and lobbyist. Her research focuses on labor market effects of caregiving, financial stability, and workplace benefits.

Her research interests include analyzing how family dynamics and public policies intersect, with particular attention to the economic and psychological impacts of caregiving roles. She has explored topics such as paid sick leave policies, foreclosure effects on health, and disparities in healthcare access for marginalized groups.

DeRigne’s work consistently highlights the connection between workplace policies and public health outcomes. Over 15 recent publications address topics like paid sick leave's impact on financial stability, caregiving’s effect on retirement savings, and the relationship between social policies and health equity. She advises the student organization organizing the annual Tallahassee Lobby Day trip, emphasizing advocacy in social work education.