Rosalind S. Ford

Rosalind S. Ford is a Part-Time Lecturer in the Department of Social Work at Rutgers University-Newark with over two decades of clinical practice, community health education, and program development experience. She concurrently serves as Director of Behavioral Health at Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, overseeing The Wellness Community mental health and substance use initiative.

Her educational background includes:

• Master of Social Work (MSW) from Rutgers University, New Brunswick (1999)
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Health, Physical Education & Recreation from Rutgers University, New Brunswick (1984)

Dr. Ford's professional expertise centers on Mental Health and Substance Abuse counseling with specialized HIV/AIDS treatment and advocacy. She integrates trauma-informed frameworks and cultural responsiveness across Social Justice initiatives, Health Education, Human Sexuality instruction, and Clinical Supervision. Her work emphasizes strengths-based perspectives and systems theory in community settings.

Her contributions have been honored with numerous awards including:

• Hyacinth Foundation Leadership Award (2022)
• Rutgers University School of Social Work Distinguished Field Instructor Recognition (2017)
• Rutgers University School of Social Work Field Instructor Recognition, New Brunswick (2017)
• Rutgers University Newark College of Arts and Sciences Department of Social Work Certificate of Appreciation (2017)
• Hyacinth AIDS Foundation Community Award (2015)
• You Make A Difference Award – Red Ribbon Fellowship, Elizabeth, NJ (2014)
• Hyacinth AIDS Foundation Employee Who Has Shown the Most Growth (2013)
• Abbott Laboratories Division Vice President/General Manager’s Award Virology Franchise (2008)
• Abbott Laboratories Pioneering Achievement Caring Enduring (PACE) Award (2007)
• Abbott Laboratories Program Award (2007)
• Abbott Laboratories Above and Beyond Awards (2006-2009)

As an educator, Dr. Ford serves as Field Education Coordinator for Rutgers’ Brookdale program and has mentored BSW/MSW students for over 20 years through field instruction and classroom teaching of core courses including Theory & Methods and Senior Seminar. Her clinical supervision and program development work have directly shaped social work pedagogy and community health outcomes.

At Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, she leads The Wellness Community initiative which implements cross-disease mental health services through individual psychotherapy, group counseling, and community programming for diverse populations.