Wendy Zeitlin

Dr. Wendy Zeitlin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work and Child Advocacy at Montclair State University, affiliated with the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She holds a BS in Financial Management from the University of Maryland, and both an MSW and PhD in Social Welfare from Yeshiva University. Her work bridges research, teaching, and community engagement, with a focus on child well-being, disabilities, and underserved populations.

Dr. Zeitlin’s research emphasizes improving outcomes for families impacted by intellectual disabilities, particularly in child welfare systems, and enhancing follow-up adherence in pediatric hearing programs. In 2023, she secured an NIH grant supporting her community-based studies. She has authored four books, including Writing for Social Work (2024) and SSD for R: An R Package for Analyzing Single Subject Data (2021), and collaborates with the New Jersey Department of Health on public health initiatives.

• Educations:
  • BS in Financial Management, University of Maryland
  • MSW, Yeshiva University
  • PhD in Social Welfare, Yeshiva University

Her research trends highlight mixed-methods approaches to address systemic barriers in healthcare access and child welfare, with recent work focusing on racial disparities and program efficacy. Notable findings include the efficacy of Project IMPACT in preventing family separation and identifying predictors of social-emotional functioning in children.

• Awards:
  • NIH Grant (2023)

In advising and grants, Dr. Zeitlin has secured major funding and collaborated with governmental and academic partners to design culturally competent interventions. Her lab focuses on policy-relevant research, such as toolkits for modifying evidence-based practices to enhance cultural competence.

She leads interdisciplinary teams addressing child welfare, public health, and pedagogical challenges, often emphasizing real-world applications of research to improve service delivery and workforce retention.