Faculty and Staff
Amanda Cruce, PhD, MSW, LCSW
Assistant Professor |
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Amanda Cruce, PhD, MSW, LCSW, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work
at the 911±¬ÁÏÍø. She obtained her BA in international relations
(Austin College), her MSW (University of Texas at Arlington) and her PhD (University
of Pittsburgh School of Social Work). Her research examines child well-being and flourishing
among children, youth, and families involved in child welfare, with particular interests
in structurally marginalized youth, children with medical complexity, and participatory
research methods that center the voices of individuals with lived experience. Her
scholarship is grounded in community-engaged research and focuses on translating evidence
into policies and practices that strengthen child welfare systems and improve outcomes
for children and families. She collaborates with national, state, and community partners,
including Casey Family Programs, the Capacity Building Center for States, and child
welfare agencies across the United States, to advance research-informed policy and
systems change.
In addition to her academic work, Dr. Cruce brings more than a decade of lived experience
as a foster parent who has cared for over 60 children. She previously served as President
of the Florida State Foster and Adoptive Parent Association and currently serves as
Chair of the Council of State Affiliates for the National Foster Parent Association,
where she advances foster parent engagement and child welfare policy at the state
and national levels. Her research, teaching, and service are informed by a commitment
to partnering with children, youth, families, and communities to build equitable,
strengths-based systems that promote lifelong well-being.