Jill Duerr Berrick is a Distinguished Professor and the Zellerbach Family Foundation Professor of Social Welfare. She also holds a joint appointment as a Professor II at the University of Bergen, Norway.
Dr. Berrick's research focuses on the child welfare system and efforts to improve the experiences of children and families touched by foster care. Her interests target the intersection of poverty, childhood development, parenting and the service systems designed to address family well-being. Berrick’s research approach typically relies upon the voices of service system consumers or providers to identify the impacts of social problems and social service solutions on family life.
For over three decades Dr. Berrick has conducted a range of studies examining child welfare services for vulnerable families. She has written or co-written 121 books and numerous articles on topics relating to family poverty, child maltreatment and child welfare. Her most influential works have examined the benefits and limitations of kinship foster care; the characteristics of highly effective foster caregivers; and the human impacts of poverty-related policies for children and families at risk of foster care involvement.
One of her books, The Impossible Imperative: Navigating the Competing Principles of Child Protection (Oxford University Press), lays out a framework for conducting principled child welfare practice. Dr. Berrick argues that the field is shaped by competing ideas that force child welfare professionals to make choices that are both contested and contentious. Although the principles serve to animate child welfare practice and policy, they are fraught with contradiction when placed in a real-world context. Joined by 15 co-authors who are former Berkeley students and who have served as child welfare professionals across California, these writers share their stories about working on the front lines of child protection. Using these rich case exemplars, the book draws the reader into that liminal space where ethics, pragmatics, and reasoned choice are challenged. The book can be used as a teaching tool for aspiring professionals and as motivation for those looking to social work to make a difference in children’s and families’ lives.
In addition to her work relating to child protection professionals, Berrick's understanding of child protection systems in the U.S. has been enhanced by her international comparative analyses of child welfare policies and practices. She has previously studied decision making in edge of care child welfare cases — those where the risk of placement into foster care is high — in diverse countries such as England, Finland, Norway, and the US. She has also conducted studies of public attitudes about child welfare in Norway and the U.S. in collaboration with her research partner, Professor Marit Skivenes
Her most recent book with Professors Neil Gilbert (UC Berkeley) and Marit Skivenes (University of Bergen, Norway), The Oxford Handbook of Child Protection Systems (Oxford University Press, 2023), features an analysis of child protection systems across six continents and 50 countries. Based upon data from these 50 countries, they have devised a Global Typology for Child Protection systems that seeks to characterize some of the fundamental similarities and differences in supportive arrangements for vulnerable families.
Having studied issues of family poverty and its relationship to child welfare system involvement, Berrick has recently engaged in developing a national coalition of organizations to reshape public policy as it pertains to child support enforcement and foster care. Currently, many states and local jurisdictions require birth parents to pay for their child's stay in foster care by means of child support enforcement. Berrick is working with a team of students to bring visibility to the issue and legislative change. More information about these efforts can be found at their website: FamiliesNotFees
Finally, Dr. Berrick is deeply involved in campus life at UC Berkeley. She co-founded Berkeley Hope Scholars, a program to support UC Berkeley students who have experiences in the foster care system. She previously served as chair of the Committee on Undergraduate Scholarships, Honors, and Financial Aid (CUSHFA), and as Chair of the Admissions, Enrollment, and Preparatory Education campus committee.
Dr. Berrick currently serves as the chair of the undergraduate major in the School of Social Welfare.
.pdf of CV available upon request
Teaching
- SW 110: Introduction to the Profession
- SW 230: Child Welfare Policy
- SW 287: Doctoral seminar: Navigating Doctoral Education and the Academy Beyond
In the News
Reunification philosophy, practice and research: We can do better for families (Centre on Law and Social Transformation 8.4.22)
Reunification philosophy, practice, and research: We can do better for families (Center for Research on Discretion and Paternalism, University of Bergen, Norway, Blog 8.4.22)
The federal government will allow states to stop charging families for foster care (NPR 7.1.22)
California tries to force parents to pay for their children's foster care. That's crazy (Sacramento Bee 4.2.22)
Reduce number of CPS families required to pay for foster care (Cal Matters 3.14.22)
Who pays for foster care? In the U.S., parents do (Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism 12.2.21)
The Ultimate Denial of Children's Rights (Centre for Research on Discretion and Paternalism 10.13.20)
The Research Doesn't Support Child Welfare Abolition (The Imprint 10.5.20)
Philly battle over same-sex foster care exposes an unequal system | Opinion (Philadelphia Inquirer 3.3.20)
When kids are harmed in foster care, we're all responsible (Oklahoman 09.05.18)
Favoring Reunification for Children in Foster Care is a Legal Mandate, not Bias Against Foster Parents co-author J. Lawson (Chronicle of Social Change 05.15.17)
Government benefits work (San Jose Mercury News 11.04.13)
Time to treat child poverty as a public health disaster (Oakland Tribune 01.11.12)
Without a safety net, teen foster kids need a lift into adulthood (San Francisco Chronicle 05.14.10)
Who Claims the Family Policy Agenda? (San Francisco Chronicle 10.10.08)
Foster Youth’s Eternal Quest for a "Forever Family" (San Francisco Chronicle 11.28.06)
Kids in Care, Waiting for a Change (San Francisco Chronicle 05.30.06)
Governor’s Budget Shortchanges Children (Oakland Tribune 10.25.06)
Welfare Grants: An Uncertain Future for the Poor (San Francisco Examiner 10.16.95)
Publications
Books
Berrick, J. D., Gilbert, N., & Skivenes, M. (Eds.). (2023). Oxford Handbook of Child Protection Systems. New York: Oxford University Press.
Berrick, J.D. (2018). The Impossible Imperative: Navigating the contested principles of child protection. New York: Oxford University Press.
Berrick, J. D. (2009). Take me home: Protecting America's vulnerable children and families. New York: Oxford University Press.
Berrick, J. D., & Gilbert N. (Eds.) (2008). Raising children: Emerging needs, modern risks, and social responses. New York: Oxford University Press.
Berrick, J. D., & Fuller, B. (Eds.). (2005). Good parents or good workers? How policy shapes families’ daily lives. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Berrick, J. D., Needell, B., Barth, R. P., & Jonson-Reid, M. (1998). The tender years: Toward developmentally-sensitive child welfare services for very young children. New York: Oxford University Press.
Berrick, J. D., Barth, R. P., & Gilbert, N. (Eds. ) (1997). Child welfare research review (Vol. II). New York: Columbia University Press.
Berrick, J. D. (1995). Faces of poverty: Portraits of women and children on welfare. New York: Oxford University Press.
Barth, R. P., Berrick, J. D., & Gilbert, N. (Eds. ) (1994). Child welfare research review (Vol. I). New York: Columbia University Press.
Barth, R. P., Courtney, M., Berrick, J. D., & Albert, V. (1994). From child abuse to permanency planning: Child welfare services, pathways, and placements. Hawthorne, NY: Aldine de Gruyter.
Berrick, J. D., & Gilbert, N. (1991). With the best of intentions: The child sexual abuse prevention movement. New York: Guilford Press.
Gilbert, N., Berrick, J. D., LeProhn, N., & Nyman, N. (1989). Protecting young children from sexual abuse: Does preschool training work? Lexington, MA: Lexington.
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Berrick, J.D., Skivenes, M., & Hellend, H. (in preparation). Public rights orientation and views about permanency for children.
Berrick, J. D., Skivenes, M., & Roscoe, J. N. (2023). Public perceptions of child protection, children’s rights, and personal values: An assessment of two states. Children and Youth Services Review, 150, 106960. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106960
Berrick, J.D., Barth, R.P., Drake, B., Garcia, A., Jonson-Reid, M., Gyourko, J., & Greeson, J. (2022). Research to consider while effectively re-designing child welfare services: A response to commentaries. Research on Social Work Practice, 32(5), 542–552, https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315211050000.
Magruder, J., & Berrick, J.D. (2022). A longitudinal investigation of infants and out-of-home care. Journal of Public Child Welfare. doi.org/10.1080/15548732.2022.2036294.
Berrick, J.D., Skivenes, M., & Roscoe, J. (2022). Parental freedom in the context of risk to the child: Citizens’ views of child protection and the state in the U.S. and Norway. Journal of Social Policy. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0047279421001021.
Berrick, J.D., Skivenes, M., Roscoe, J. (2021). Children’s rights and parents’ rights: Popular attitudes about when we privilege one over the other. International Journal of Social Welfare, 1-14.
Berrick, J.D. (2021). Imagining a new future: Elimination of child support obligations for child welfare-involved families. Journal of Public Child Welfare.
Barth, R.P., Berrick, J.D., Garcia, A., Drake, B., Jonson-Reid, M., Greeson, J., Gyourko, J. (2021). Research to consider prior to effectively re-designing child welfare services. Research on Social Work Practice.
Chambers, J., Roscoe, J. Berrick, J.D., Lery, B., and Thompson, D. (2021). Safely increasing connection to community-based services: A study of multi-disciplinary team decision making for child welfare referrals. Child Maltreatment.
Barth, R.P., Jonson-Reid, M., Greeson, J.K.P., Drake, B., Berrick, J.D., Garcia, A.R., Shaw, T.V., & Gyourko, J.R. (2020). Outcomes following child welfare services: What are they and do they differ for Black children? Journal of Public Child Welfare.
Berrick, J.D., Dickens, J., Poso, T., & Skivenes, M. (2020). Are child protection workers and judges in alignment with the citizens when considering interventions into a family? A cross-country study of four jurisdictions. Children and Youth Services Review, 108.
Berrick, J.D., Dickens, J., Poso, T., & Skivenes, M. (2019). Children’s and parents’ involvement in care order proceedings : A cross-national comparison of judicial decision makers’ views and experiences. Journal of Social Work and Family Law, DOI: 10.1080/09649069.2019.1590902
Hernandez, J., & Berrick, J.D. (2018). Probate kinship guardianship : An important permanency option for children. Families in Society, 100(1), 34-51.
Berrick, J.D., Dickens, J., Poso, T., & Skivenes, M. (2018). International perspectives on child-responsive courts. International Journal of Children’s Rights, 26, 1-27.
Berrick, J.D., Dickens, J., Poso, T., & Skivenes, M. (2018). Care order forms as institutional scripts in child protection : A cross-country analysis. Children and Youth Services Review. 84(40-47).
Berrick, J.D., Dickens, J., Poso, T., & Skivenes, M. (2017). A cross-country comparison of child welfare systems responses to children appearing to be at risk or in need of help. Child Abuse Review, 26(4), 305-319.
Berrick, J.D., Dickens, J., Poso, T., & Skivenes, M. (2016). Time and its relationship to quality decision making : A Cross-country analysis. Human Service Organizations Management, Leadership, and Governance. 40 (5), pp. 451-468.
Berrick, J.D. & Boyd, R. (2016). The financial well-being of children in family-based foster care: Exploring variation in income supports for kin and non-kin caregivers. Children and Youth Services Review, 69, 166-173.
Berrick, J.D. & Hernandez, J. (2016). Developing consistent and transparent kinship care policy and practice: State mandated, mediated, and independent care. Children and Youth Services Review, 68, 24-33.
Berrick, J.D., Peckover, S., Poso, T., & Skivenes, M. (2015). The formalized framework for decision making in child protection care orders: A cross-country comparison. Journal of European Social Work.
Berrick, J.D. (in preparation). The end of foster care as we know it.
Berrick, J.D. (2015). Protecting children from maltreatment in the US. Arbor (Spanish journal).
Lee, C., & Berrick, J.D. (2014). Experiences of youth who transition to adulthood out of care: Developing a theoretical framework.Children and Youth Services Review,. 46, 78-84.
Berrick, J.D.& Durst, W. (2014). Court appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteerism: Preparing MSW students for public child welfare practice. Journal of Social Work Education, 50(1), 176-183. doi:10.1080/10437797.2014.856247
Berrick, J.D., & Skivenes, M. (2013). Fostering in the welfare states of the U.S.A. and Norway. Journal of European Social Policy. 23(4), 423-436.
Lawson, J., & Berrick, JD. (2013). Establishing CASA as an evidence-based practice. Journal of Evidence-Based Practice. 10:4, 321-337, DOI: 10.1080/15433714.2012.663674
Berrick, J.D. & Skivenes, M. (2012). Dimensions of high quality foster care : Parenting Plus. Children and Youth Services Review, 34(9), 1956-1965.
Berrick, J.D., Cohen, E., & Anthony, E. (2011). Partnering with parents: Promising approaches to improve reunification outcomes for children in foster care. Journal of Family Strengths, 11(1).
Berrick, J. D., Shauffer, C., & Rodriguez, J. (2011). Recruiting for excellence in foster care: Marrying child welfare research with brand marketing strategies. Journal of Public Child Welfare. 5(2).
Berrick, J. D., Young, E. W., Cohen, E., & Anthony, E. (2011). “I am the face of success:” Peer mentors in child welfare. Child and Family Social Work. 16(2).
Conley, A., & Berrick, J. D. (2010). Community-based child abuse prevention: Outcomes associated with a Differential Response program in California. Child Maltreatment.
Berrick, J. D., Choi, Y., D’Andrade, A., & Frame, L. (2008). Reasonable efforts? Implementation of the reunification exception provisions of ASFA. Child Welfare, 87(3).
Conley, A., & Berrick, J. D. (2008). Implementing Differential Response in ethnically diverse neighborhoods Protecting Children.
Fox, A., Berrick, J. D., & Frasch, K. (2008). Safety, family, permanency, and child well-being: What we can learn from children. Child Welfare, 87(1), 63-90.
Coakley, J. F., & Berrick, J. D. (2008). Research review: In a rush to permanency: Preventing adoption disruption. Journal of Child and Family Social Work, 13(1), 101-112.
Ayasse, R. H., Donahue, J., & Berrick, J. D. (2007). The school enrollment process for group home youth: An examination of interagency collaboration on behalf of youth transitioning into new group homes. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 1(3), 95-114.
Berrick, J. D. (2007). A response to David Crampton’s response to: Neighborhood-based foster care: A critical examination of location-based placement criteria.Social Service Review 81(2), 347-349.
Frame, L. C., Conley, A., & Berrick, J. D. (2006). “The real work is what they do together:” Peer support and child welfare services. Families in Society87(4), 509-520.
Berrick, J. D. (2006). Neighborhood-based foster care: A critical examination of location-based placement criteria. Social Service Review, 80(4), 569-583.
Fox, A., & Berrick, J. D. (2006). A response to No one ever asked us:A review of children’s experiences in out-of-home care. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal
Frame, L., Berrick, J. D., & Coakley, J. F. (2006). Essential elements of implementing a system of concurrent planning.Journal of Child and Family Social Work, 357-367.
D’Andrade, A., & Berrick, J. D. (2006). When policy meets practice: The untested effects of permanency reforms in child welfare. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare 33(1), 31-52.
D’Andrade, A., Frame, L., & Berrick, J. D. (2006). Concurrent planning in public child welfare agencies: Oxymoron or work in progress? Children and Youth Services Review 28(1), 78-95.
Berrick, J. D. (2005). Marriage, motherhood, and welfare reform. Social Policy and Society4(2). 133-146.
Mitchell, L., Barth, R. P., Green, R., Wall, A., Biemer, P., Berrick, J. D., et al. (2005). Child welfare reform in the United States: Findings from the NSCAW Local Agency Survey.Child Welfare 84, 5-14.
Frame, L., & Berrick, J. D. (2003). The effects of welfare reform on families involved with public child welfare services: Results from a qualitative study. Children and Youth Services Review 25(1-2), 113-138.
Barth, R. P., Biemer, P., Runyan, D., Webb, M. B., & Berrick, J. D. (2002). Methodological lessons from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being: The First Three Years of the USA's First National Probability Study of Children and Families Investigated for Abuse and Neglect. Children and Youth Services Review 24 , 513-544.
Geen, R., & Berrick, J. D. (2002). Kinship care: An evolving service delivery option. Children and Youth Services Review 24(1-2), 1-14.
Geen, R., & Berrick, J. D. (2002). Kinship care: An evolving service delivery option. Children and Youth Services Review 24(1-2), 1-14.
Shlonsky, A. R., & Berrick, J. D. (2001). Assessing and promoting quality in kin and non-kin foster care. Social Service Review 75 (1), 60-83
Frame, L., Berrick, J. D., & Brodowski, M. L. (2000). Understanding reentry to foster care for reunified infants. Child Welfare 74(4), 339-369.
Berrick, J. D., Frasch, K., & Fox, A. (2000). Assessing children’s experiences of out-of-home care: Methodological challenges and opportunities. Social Work Research 24(2), 119-127.
Berrick, J. D. (1999). Entitled to what? Welfare and child welfare in a shifting policy environment. Children and Youth Services Review, 21(9/10), 709-718.
Berrick, J. D., Needell, B., & Minkler, M. (1999). The policy implications of welfare reform for older caregivers, kinship care, and family configuration. Children and Youth Services Review, 21(9/10), 843-864.
Austin, M. J., Martin, M., Carnochan, S., Goldberg, S., Berrick, J. D., Weiss, B., & Kelley, J. (1999). Building a comprehensive agency-University partnership: A case study of the Bay Area Social Services Consortium. Journal of Community Practice 6(3), 89-106.
Minkler, M., Berrick, J. D., & Needell, B. (1999). Impacts of welfare reform on California grandparents raising grandchildren: Reflections from the field. Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 10(3), 45-64.
Berrick, J. D. (Spring, 1998). When children cannot remain home: Temporary foster care and kinship care. Future of Children 8(1),72-87.
Berrick, J. D. (1997). Assessing quality of care in kinship and foster family care.Family Relations 46(3), 273-280.
Berrick, J. D., Barth, R. P., Needell, B., & Jonson-Reid, M. (1997). Group care and young children. Social Service Review 71(2), 257-273. ;
Berrick, J. D. (Summer/1996). From mother’s duty to personal responsibility: The evolution of AFDC. Hastings Women’s Law Review Journal 7(2), 257-274.
Courtney, M. E., Barth, R. P., Berrick, J. D., Brooks, D., Needell, B., & Park, L. (March/April, 1996). Race and child welfare services: Past research and future directions. Child Welfare >75 (2), 99-137.
Berrick, J. D., & Duerr, M. (January, 1996). Maintaining positive school relationships: The role of the school social worker vis-à-vis full-service schools. Social Work in Education 18(1), 53-59.
Berrick, J. D., & Karski, R. L. (Fall, 1995). Emerging issues in child welfare: A state survey of child welfare administrators. Public Welfare 53(4), 4-11.
Berrick, J. D., & Barth, R. P. (1994). Research on kinship foster care: What do we know? Where do we go from here? Children and Youth Services Review 16(1-2), 1-6.
Berrick, J. D., Barth, R. P., & Needell, B. (1994). A comparison of kinship foster homes and foster family homes: Implications for kinship foster care as family preservation. Children and Youth Services Review 16(1-2), 33-64.
Berrick, J. D., Courtney, M. E., & Barth, R. P. (1993). Specialized foster care and group home care: Similarities and differences of children in care. Children and Youth Services Review 15, 453-473.
Berrick, J. D. (February, 1993). Group care for children in California: Trends in the '90s. Child and Youth Care Forum, 22(1), 7-22.
Berrick, J. D., & Barth, R. P. (December, 1992). Child sexual abuse prevention: Research review and recommendations. Social Work Research and Abstracts, 28(4), 6-15.
Berrick, J. D. (July, 1991). Welfare and child care: The intricacies of competing social values. Social Work, 36(4), 345-352.
Berrick, J. D., & Barth, R. (April, 1991). The role of the school social worker in child abuse prevention. Social Work in Education, 13(3), 195-202.
Berrick, J. D. (1991). Sexual abuse prevention training for preschoolers: Implications for moral development. Children and Youth Services Review, 3(1-2), 61-76.
Berrick, J. D. (Summer, 1989). Sexual abuse prevention education: Is it appropriate for the preschool child? Children and Youth Services Review, 11(2), 146-158.
Berrick, J. D. (Fall, 1988). Parental involvement in child abuse prevention training: What do they learn? International Journal of Child Abuse and Neglect, 12(4), 543-554.
Other Publications
In Press
Berrick, J.D. (in preparation). Child protection systems: Cross national trends and developments. In E. Fernandez (Ed.) Routledge Handbook of Child and Family Social Work Research: Knowledge-building, application, and impact. Routledge Press.
Berrick, J.D. (in press). Invited Forward. In R. Denby, C. Ingram, and C. James-Brown. Child and family serving systems: A five-volume compendium of policy and practice. Washington, D.C.: Child Welfare League of America.
Berrick, J.D. (in press). Public policy towards the removal of children from the family. In M. Daly, B. Pfau-Effinger, N. Gilbert, & D. Besharov (Eds.) The Oxford handbook of family policy: A life-course perspective. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Lawson, J., & Berrick, J.D. (in press). Child protection in the United States. In Berrick, J.D., Gilbert, N., & Skivenes, M. (Eds.). International Handbook of Child Protection Systems. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Published
Hernandez, J., & Berrick, J.D. (2022). Child welfare reform from the bottom up: A case study of San Francisco County. In G. Anderson & K. Briar-Lawson, (Eds). Strategic child welfare agency-university partnerships to advance workforce development. Washington, D.C.: Child Welfare League of America Press.
Johnson-Motoyama, M., Berrick, J.D., & Lane, A. (2021). Child welfare policy for children and families. In M. Fraser, W. Hall, J. Jensen, & P. Lanier (Eds.) Social policy for children and families. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage publications.
Berrick, J.D. (2021). Adoption from care: Policy and practice in the U.S. In M. Skivenes, J. Thoburn, & T. Poso (Eds.). Adoption from care: International perspectives on children’s rights, family preservation, and state intervention. Bristol, UK: Policy Press.
Berrick, J.D. (2020). Carers of looked after children. In E. Fernandez & P. DelFabbro (Eds.), Child protection in Australia. Routledge Publishing UK.
Berrick, J.D. (2020). The relationship of the state to kinship caregivers: A sociological autobiography. In M. Testa, R.B. Hill, & C. Ingram (Ed.) Reflections on kinship care. Washington, D.C.: Child Welfare League of America Press.
Berrick, J.D. & Chambers, J. (2020). Discourses, approaches and strategies on errors and mistakes in child protection in the U.S.A. In K. Biesel, J. Masson, N. Parton, & T. Poso (Eds.). Errors and mistakes in child protection: International discourses, approaches, and strategies. Policy Press.
Berrick, J.D., & Heimpel, D. (2020). How federal laws relating to foster care financing shape child welfare services. In J. Dwyer (Ed.) Oxford Handbook of Children and the Law. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Berrick, J.D., & Lawson, J., (2019). Foster care. In E. Ponzetti (Ed.). Macmillan Encyclopedia of Intimate and Family Relationships: An interdisciplinary approach. Macmillan Press.
Kimberlin, S. & Berrick, J.D. (2015). Poor for how long? Chronic vs. transient child poverty in the United States. In E. Fernandez (Ed.). Theoretical and empirical insights into child and family poverty: Cross national perspectives. Springer Publisher.
Berrick, J.D. (2015). Protecting children from maltreatment in the U.S. Arbor (Spanish journal). http://arbor.revistas.csic.es/index.php/arbor/issue/current
Berrick, J.D. (2015). Research and practice with families in foster care. In S. Browning & K. Pasley (Eds.) Contemporary families: Translating research into practice. Routledge Press.
Berrick, J. D. (2011). Trends and issues in the U. S. child welfare system. In N. Gilbert, N. Parton, & M. Skivnes (Eds.) Child protection systems: International trends and orientations. (17-35). New York: Oxford University Press.
Berrick, J. D. & Henry, C. (2011). Child welfare. Oxford Bibliographies Online. : Social Work. doi: 10.1093/obo/9780195389678-0011.
Berrick, J. D., Weissinger, E., & Lawson, J. (2011). Adoption. Oxford Bibliographies Online. : Social Work. doi: 10.1093/OBO/9780195389678-0010.
Frame, L. C., Berrick, J. D., & Knittel, J. (2010). Parent mentors in child welfare: A paradigm shift from traditional services. The Source, 20(1), 2-6.
Berrick, J. D. (2008). Kinship care. In T. Fitzpatrick, H. Kwon N. Manning, J. Midgley, & G. Pascall (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Social Policy. London: Routledge.
Berrick, J. D. (2008). Income maintenance and support: The changing face of welfare. In J. Midgley, M. B. Tracy, and M. Livermore (Eds.), Handbook of social policy. (336-346). Revised edition. Thousands Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Berrick, J. D. (2008). From private to public: Paying grandparents as caregivers. In Berrick, J. D., & Gilbert, N. (Eds.) Raising children: Emerging needs, modern risks, and social responses. (27-43). New York: Oxford University Press.
Berrick, J. D., Frame, L., Langs, J., & Varchol, L. (2006). Working together for children and families: Where TANF and child welfare meet. in R. Hoefer and J. Midgley (Eds.), International perspectives on welfare to work policy. Haworth Press.
Thomas, K. L., Cohen, E., & Berrick, J. D. (2003). California’s Waiver evaluation of FGDM: A unique opportunity. Protecting Children, 18(162), 52-56.
Berrick, J. D. (2001). Personal Responsibility, Private Behavior, and Public Benefits: Targeting social welfare in the United States. In N. Gilbert (Ed.), Targeting social benefits. New York, NY: Transaction Books. (Translated into Chinese: China Labor and Social Security Publishing House (2004).
Berrick, J. D. (2000). The benefits of kinship care. In M. Kluger, G. Alexander, and P. Curtis (Eds.), What works in child welfare? Washington, DC: Child Welfare League of America.
Berrick, J. D. (2000). Income maintenance and support: The changing face of welfare. In J. Midgley, M. B. Tracy, and M. Livermore (Eds.), Handbook of social policy. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Berrick, J. D. & Needell, B. (1999). Recent trends in kinship care: Public policy, payments, and outcomes for children. In P. A. Curtis and G. Dale (Eds.), The foster care crisis: Translating research into practice and policy. University of Nebraska Press.
Berrick, J. D., Needell, B., & Barth, R. P. (1998). Kin as a family and child welfare resource: The child welfare worker’s perspective. In R. L. Hegar and M. Scannapieco (Eds.), Kinship foster care: Policy, practice, and research. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Berrick, J. D. & Duerr, M. (1998). Maintaining positive school relationships: The role of the social worker vis-à-vis full-service schools. In E. M. Freeman, C. G. Franklin, R. Fong, G. L. Shaffer, and E. M. Timberlake (Eds.), Multisystem skills and interventions in school social work practice. Washington, DC: NASW Press.
Berrick, J. D. & Duerr, M. W. (1997). Preventing child neglect: A study of an in-home program for children and families. In J. D. Berrick, R. P. Barth, and N. Gilbert (Eds.), Child welfare research review (Vol. II). New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
Berrick, J. D. & Gilbert, N. (1995). Prevention of child sexual abuse in American primary schools. In B. Marquardt-Mau (Ed.), Prevention of child sexual abuse in school: Between hope and reality. Background and experiences from different countries. Kiel, Germany: Juventa Publishers.
Berrick, J. D. & Gilbert, N. (1994). Should children be required to participate in school programs designed to prevent child molestation? In M. A. Mason and E. Gambrill (Ed.), Debating children's lives: Current controversies on children and adolescents. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Berrick, J. D., Barth, R. P., Needell, B., & Courtney, M. E. (1993). Relative foster care and the preservation of families. Papers from the Sixth Annual Conference on Family Based Services. Cedar Rapids, IA: National Association for Family Based Services.
Book Reviews
Berrick, J.D. (2011). [Review of Gainsborough, J.F., Scandalous politics: Child welfare policy in the United States.] Social Service Review, 85(4), 667-670.
Berrick, J. D. (2009). [Review of Chaskin, R., & Rosenfeld, J., Research for action: Cross-national perspectives on connecting knowledge, policy, and practice for children.] International Journal of Social Welfare, 18(3), 324-325.
Berrick, J. D. (2005). [Review of M. Rank, One nation, underprivileged: Why American poverty affects us all.] International Journal of Social Welfare, 14(1), 69.
Berrick, J. D. (2002). [Review of J. Horwath (Ed. ), The child’s world: Assessing children in need.] European Journal of Social Work, 5(2), 244-246.
Berrick, J. D. (2002). [Review of J. P. Gleeson & C. F. Hairston (Eds. ), Kinship care: Improving practice through research.] Children and Youth Services Review.
Berrick, J. D. (2001). [Review of Rush, Loving across the color line.] Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 28(3), 229-232.
Berrick, J. D. (1999). [Review of M. Harder and K. Pringle, Protecting children in Europe: Towards a new millennium.] European Journal of Social Work, 2(1), 106-107.
Berrick, J. D. (1999). [Review of Hughes and Rycus, Developmental disabilities and child welfare.] Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 16(4), 317-320.
Berrick, J. D. (1998). [Review of Holloway, Fuller, Rambaud, and Eggers-Pierola, Through my own eyes: Single mothers and the culture of poverty.] Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare.
Berrick, J. D. (1997). [Review of Gensler, The American welfare system.] Journal of Social Service Research, 23(1).
Berrick, J. D. (1997). [Review of L. B. Costin, H. J. Karger and D. Stoesz, The politics of child abuse in America.] Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 24(4), 161-164.
Berrick, J. D. (1994). [Review of V. Polokow, Lives on the edge.] Children and Youth Services Review, 17(1-2).
Berrick, J. D. (Spring, 1991). [Book review of National Conference of State Legislators The child care guarantee in welfare reform.] Children and Youth Services Review.
Berrick, J. D. (1991). [Review of J. J. Krivacska, Designing child sexual abuse prevention programs.] Children and Youth Services Review, 3(1-2), 61-76.
Berrick, J. D. (Summer, 1990). [Review of J. J. Krivacska, Designing child sexual abuse prevention programs.] Issues in Child Abuse Accusations, 2(3), 175-177.
Reports
Cohen, E., Fawley, K., & Berrick, J. D. (2009). Outcomes of the Contra Costa County Transition-Age Youth Survey. (University of California, Berkeley, Center for Social Services Research).
Anthony, E., Berrick, J. D., Cohen, E., & Wilder, E. (2009). Partnering with Parents: Promising Approaches to Improve Reunification Outcomes for Children in Foster Care. (University of California, Berkeley, Center for Social Services Research).
Berrick, J. D., & Frame, L. (2005). CalWORKs/Child Welfare Partnership Project Evaluation (University of California, Berkeley, Center for Social Services Research).
Berrick, J. D., D’Andrade, A., Frame, L., & Coakley, J. (2004). Child Welfare Permanency Reforms (University of California, Berkeley, Center for Social Services Research).
Sogar, C., Berrick, J. D., Frame, L., & Frasch, K. (2001). Experiences of Living Through Welfare Reform in One California County (University of California, Berkeley, Center for Social Services Research).
Berrick, J. D., & Edelstein, S. (2001). Foster Care and Adoption: How Prop 10 Commissions Can Help California’s Most Vulnerable Children (University of California, Los Angeles).
D’Andrade, A., Choice, P., Martin, M., Berrick, J., & Austin, M. (2000). Concurrent Planning: The Influence of Bypass and Poor Prognosis Indicators on Child Welfare Outcomes (University of California, Berkeley, Bay Area Social Services Consortium).
Brooks, D., Berrick, J. D., Webster, D., & Barth, R. P. (1998). An Overview of the Child Welfare System in California: Today’s Challenges and Tomorrow’s Innovations(University of California, Center for Social Services Research).
Ferguson, C., Berrick, J. D., & Barth, R. P. (1998). Strengthening Families Through Family Resource Centers: Understanding the Elements and Significance of Public and Private Partnerships (University of California, Center for Social Services Research).
Minkler, M., Berrick, J. D., & Needell, B. (1998). The Impact of Welfare Reform on California Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (University of California, Berkeley, Center for Social Services Research).
Berrick, J. D., Brodowski, M. L., & Frame, L. (1997). Factors Associated with Family Reunification Outcomes: Understanding Reentry to Care (University of California, Bay Area Social Services Consortium).
Berrick, J. D., Jonson-Reid, M., Barth, R. P., & Lurkis, L. (1997). Child Abuse Prevention Through Community Empowerment (University of California, Child Welfare Research Center.)
Berrick, J. D., Needell, B., Barth, R. P., & Jonson-Reid, M. (1996). The Tender Years: Toward Developmentally-Sensitive Child Welfare Services for Very Young Children(University of California, Berkeley, Child Welfare Research Center).
Berrick, J. D. (1996). Assessing Quality of Care in Kinship and Foster Family Care(University of California, Berkeley, Center for Social Services Research, Bay Area Social Services Consortium).
Jonson-Reid, M., Berrick, J. D., & Barth, R. P. (1996). Roseville Family Cooperative Project(University of California, Berkeley, Child Welfare Research Center).
Rogers, K., Berrick, J. D., & Barth, R. P. (1996). Collaboration and Community Empowerment for Primary Prevention (University of California, Child Welfare Research Center).
Berrick, J. D., Buchanan, S., & Barth, R. P. (1996). Strengthening Families Through Family Resource Centers (University of California, Child Welfare Research Center).
Rogers, K., Berrick, J. D., & Barth, R. P. (1996). Auburn Greens’ Family Cooperative Project: First Year Report (University of California, Child Welfare Research Center).
Duerr, M., Berrick, J. D., & King, D. (1994). Local Efforts to Address and Reduce Child Neglect LEARN (Duerr Evaluation Resources).
Berrick, J. D., Barth, P., Needell, B., & Jonson-Reid, M. (1993). Research Regarding Young Children in Group Care (University of California, Berkeley, Child Welfare Research Center).
Berrick, J. D., & Adams, A. (1993). Evaluation of SB 689--GAIN (University of California, Berkeley, Family Welfare Research Group).
Gilbert, N., Berrick, J. D., & Meyers, M. K. (1992). GAIN Family Life & Child Care Study(University of California, Berkeley, Family Welfare Research Group).
Berrick, J. D., Barth, B., Courtney, M., & Albert, V. (1992). Pathways Through Child Welfare Services (University of California, Berkeley, Child Welfare Research Center).
Gilbert, N., & Berrick, J. D. (1990). Evaluation of California's First and Third Grade Sexual Abuse Prevention Programs (University of California, Berkeley, Family Welfare Research Group).
Barth, R. P., Berrick, J. D., Courtney, M., & Pizzini, S. (1990). A Snapshot of California's Families and Children Pursuant to the Child Welfare Reforms of the 1980's (University of California, Berkeley, Child Welfare Research Center).
Barth, R. P., Berrick, J. D., & Courtney, M. (1990). A Second Snapshot of Families, Children and Child Welfare Services in California (University of California, Berkeley, Child Welfare Research Center).
Barth, R. P., Berrick, J. D., & Courtney, M. (1990). A Third Snapshot of California's Children and Families in the Context of the External and Internal Environment(University of California, Berkeley, Child Welfare Research Center).
Barth, R. P., Berrick, J. D., & Courtney, M. (1990). A Fourth Snapshot of Services to California's Children and Families (University of California, Berkeley, Child Welfare Research Center).
Gilbert, N., Daro, D., Berrick, J. D., Le Prohn, & Nyman, N. (1988). Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: Evaluation of Education Materials [Preschool Programs] (University of California, Berkeley, Family Welfare Research Group).
Experience
Professional Experience
2008 - Present | Zellerbach Family Foundation Professor, School of Social Welfare, U.C. Berkeley
2017 - 2022 | Professor II, Department of Administration and Organizational Theory, Center for Research on Discretion and Paternalism, University of Bergen, Norway
2003 – 2008 | Professor, School of Social Welfare, U.C. Berkeley
2000 – 2003 | Associate Professor, School of Social Welfare, U.C. Berkeley
1996 – 2000 | Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Social Welfare, U.C. Berkeley
1990 - 1996 | Research Specialist and Lecturer, School of Social Welfare, U.C. Berkeley
Administrative Experience
2000 – 2017 | Co-Director, Center for Child and Youth Policy, U.C.B.
2004 - 2006 | Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Social Welfare
1994 – 2001 | Director, Center for Social Services Research
1990 – 1995 | Director, National Child Welfare Research Center
Research Experience
2022 – 2027 | Co-Investigator, “CPS-World.” Norwegian National Research Council
2019 - 2022 | Co-Investigator, “Foster care mental health family navigator.” National Institute of Mental Health.
2019 - 2020 | Principal Investigator, “Citizens’ views of child protection and the state: Welfare state theory, values, and risk.” Peder Sather funding.
2018 – 2019 | Principal Investigator, “The basis for legitimate and justified state intervention in families: USA & Norway.” Peder Sather funding.
2018 – 2020 | Principal Investigator, “Multi-disciplinary team decision making: An innovative strategy to keep children safe.” HFC Foundation
2014 – 2019 | Research consultant, “Legitimacy and fallibility in child welfare decision making.” Norwegian National Research Council.
2014 – 2019 | Principal Investigator, “California Child Welfare Leadership Training” (CalCWLT). National Child Welfare Workforce Institute
2016 – 2017 | Principal Investigator, “Implications of cross-national child welfare research for local program development.” Peder Sather funding.
2014 - 2016 | Principal Investigator, “Outcomes and experiences of children in family-based care settings.” Zellerbach Family Foundation and Walter S. Johnson Foundation.
2013 – 2014 | Principal Investigator, “A cross country study of decision making.” Peder Sather funding.
2011 – 2013 | Principal Investigator, “Promoting positive child welfare outcomes: A study of CASA effectiveness.” Walter S. Johnson Foundation.
2010 - 2012 | Principal Investigator, “What to expect when you’re a foster parent.” Funding from the Silberman Fund and the Fahs-Beck fund for Research.
2007 - 2009 | Principal Investigator, “Partnering for Permanence.” Funding from US DHHS, Administration for Children and Families, passed through Contra Costa County.
2006 – 2008 | Principal Investigator, “An Assessment of Differential Response: Implications for Social Work in Diverse Communities.” Funding from the California Social Work Education Center.
2002 – 2005 | Principal Investigator, “CalWORKS/Child Welfare Partnership Evaluation. Funding from California Center for Research on Women and Families.
2001 – 2005 | Principal Investigator, “Child Welfare Reform in California.” Funding from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Stuart Foundations, and the California Endowment.
1998 – 2002 | Co-Principal Investigator, “California’s Child Welfare Waiver Demonstration Evaluation.” Funding from California Department of Social Services.
2000 | Principal Investigator, “Education for Foster Children.” Funding from Bay Area Social Services Consortium
2001 | Co-Principal Investigator, “Daily Lives of Poor Families.” Funding from Evelyn and Walter Haas Foundation.
1999 – 2000 | Principal Investigator, “Outcomes of Concurrent Planning.” Funding from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
1999 – 2000 | Principal Investigator, “Study of the Educational Placement of Children Residing in Group Homes.” Funding from the California Department of Education, Subcontract to American Institutes for Research.
1998 – 2001 | Principal Investigator, “Understanding Families in CalWORKs and the Child Welfare System: Case Management for Public Child Welfare Workers.” Funding from California Social Work Education Center.
1998 – 2001 | Principal Investigator, “Assessing the Effects of Welfare Reform on California’s Most Precarious Families.” Funding from Urban Institute and Stuart Foundations.
1998 – 2000 | Principal Investigator, “National Longitudinal Study of Children and Families in the Child Welfare System (NSCAW).” Subcontract from the Research Triangle Institute with funding from the Children’s Bureau, DHHS.
1998 – 2000 | Co-Principal Investigator, “Best Practices in Concurrent Planning for Timely Permanence.” Funding from San Mateo County Human Service Agency, Santa Clara County Human Service Agency, and Zellerbach Family Foundation.
1998 – 2001 | Principal Investigator, “Assessing Integrated Services to Promote Permanency for Infants and Toddlers.” Funding from Stuart Foundations.
1997 – 2000 | Principal Investigator, “Children’s Experiences of Out-of-Home Care: Elements of a Successful Foster Care System.” Funding from California Social Work Education Center and Lucile Packard Foundation.
1996 – 1998 | Principal Investigator, “Family Resource Centers: An Evaluation of the Family Cooperative Project.” Funding from Stuart Foundations.
1998 | Co-Principal Investigator, “Child Welfare Services in California: The Interface Between Private Philanthropy and and Public Services.” Funding from S.H. Cowell Foundation.
1997 – 1998 Co-Principal Investigator, “The Impact of Welfare Reform on California Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.” Funding from Public Policy Institute of California.
1997 – 1998 | Co-Principal Investigator, “Understanding the Elements and Significance of Public-Private Partnerships in Family Resource Centers.” Funding from S.H. Cowell Foundation.
1996 – 1998 | Principal Investigator, “Assessing the Quality of Kin and Non-Kin Foster Care.” Funding from California Social Work Education Center and David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
1996 – 1998 | Project Director, “Public Assistance, Child Abuse, and Child Welfare: Understanding the Connections for Families with Young Children.” Funding from Smith Richardson Foundation.
1995 – 1997 | Project Director, “California Children’s Services Data Archive.” Funding from Stuart Foundations and California Department of Social Services.
1994 – 1997 | Project Director, “Child Abuse Prevention Through Community Empowerment – Evaluation.” Funding from California Department of Social Services, Office of Child Abuse Prevention.
1996 | Principal Investigator, “Evaluation of Strengthening Families Initiative.” S.H. Cowell Foundation.
1996 | Principal Investigator, “Factors Associated with Family Reunification Outcomes: Understanding Reentry to Care for Infants.” Funding from Alameda County Social Services Agency.
1990 – 1995 | Director, National Child Welfare Research Center. Funding from U.S. DHHS, Children’s Bureau and Office of Planning and Evaluation.
1995 – 1996 | Principal Investigator, “Kinship Care in Santa Clara County: Assessing Quality of Care.” Funding from County of Santa Clara, Social Services Agency.
1994 – 1995 | Project Director, “Kinship Care in California.” Funding from California Social Work Education Center.
1994 – 1995 | Project Director, “Child Welfare Services for Very Young Children.” Funding from David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
1992 – 1995 | Project Director, “Multi-State Data Archive.” Funding from Chapin Hall Center for Children.
1990 – 1994 | Co-Principal Investigator, “Evaluation of LEARN – A Child Neglect Prevention Program.” Study conducted through Duerr Evaluation Resources, Chico, California. Funding from State Department of Social Services, Office of Child Abuse Prevention.
1992 – 1993 | Principal Investigator, “Welfare Reform in Three Counties.” Funding from County of Santa Clara, Social Services Agency.
1991 – 1993 | Principal Investigator, “Faces of Poverty Research Project.” Funding from Smith Richardson Foundation.
1991 – 1992 | Project Director, “Pathways Through Child Welfare Services.” Funding from State Department of Social Services, Office of Child Abuse Prevention.
1989 – 1992 | Project Director, “GAIN Child Care and Family Life Study.” Funding from Walter S. Johnson Foundation and Smith Richardson Foundation.
1989 – 1991 | Research Consultant, “Strategic Planning for Child Welfare Services in California.” Funding from Irvine Foundation and State Department of Social Services, Office of Child Abuse Prevention.
1989 – 1990 | Principal Investigator, “An Evaluation of School-Based Primary Prevention Services.” Study conducted through East Bay Agency for Children, Oakland, California. Funding from Walter S. Johnson Foundation.
1988 – 1990 | Project Director, “Elementary School Child Abuse Prevention Evaluation.” Funding from Conrad Hilton Foundation and Walter S. Johnson Foundation.
1988 – 1989 | Research Consultant. “Cross-cultural Family Intimacy and Discipline: Implications for Child Abuse Prevention.” Funding from Conrad Hilton Foundation.
1986 – 1988 | Research Associate. “Evaluation of Preschool-Based Child Abuse Prevention.” Funding from U.S. National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect.
1985 – 1986 | Evaluation Intern. New Connections Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counseling Center, Concord, California.
Teaching Experience
1991 - present | UCB School of Social Welfare courses:
Undergraduate:
- Social Welfare and Social Problems in the Community
- Social Work: Introduction to the Profession
- Introduction to Social Policy and Social Work
- Honors Thesis Seminar
- Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Young Child in Society
- Assisting Vulnerable Children and Families
MSW-level:
- Social Welfare Research
- Social Policy
- Social Welfare Policy Practice: Advocacy Skills for Social Change
- Social Policy: Children and Families
- Reflections on Contemporary Child Welfare Services
PhD-level:
- Seminar: Preparation for qualifying papers and exams
- Navigating doctoral education and the academy
1994 – 1997 | U.C. Extension courses: The Network of Services for Children and Families
1984 – 1985 | Teacher: Friends Preschool and Day Care, Palo Alto, California
1983 – 1984 | Head Teacher: Menlo Montessori Preschool, Menlo Park, California
1983 | Teacher / Counselor: Battered Women’s Shelter and Preschool, San Diego, California
1983 | Teaching assistant: English Literature, University of California Santa Cruz
Curricula
Berrick, J. D., Helalian, H. S., Frame, L., Fabella, D., Lee, K., & Karpilow, K. (2010). Child Welfare and CalWorks: Opportunities for Collaboration to Benefit Children and Families (University of California, Berkeley, Center for Social Services Research).
Conley, A. & Berrick, J. D. (2008). Differential Response: Implications for Social Work Practice in Diverse Communities (University of California, Berkeley, Center for Child and Youth Policy).
Berrick, J. D. & Ayasse, R. (2004). Improving Educational Services for Foster Youth Living in Group Homes (University of California, Berkeley, Child Welfare Research Center).
Frame, L., Berrick, J. D., Sogar, C., Berzin, S. C., & Pearlman, J. (2001). CalWORKs and Child Welfare: Case Management for Public Child Welfare Workers (University of California, Berkeley, Center for Social Services Research).
Fox, A., Frasch, K., & Berrick, J. (2000). Listening to Children in Foster Care (University of California, Berkeley, Center for Social Services Research).
Berrick, J. D., Needell, B., Shlonsky, A., Simmel, C., & Pedrucci, C. (1999). Assessment, Support, and Training for Kinship Care and Foster Care: An Empirically-Based Curriculum (University of California, Berkeley, Center for Social Services Research).
Frame, L., Berrick, J. D., Lee, S., Needell, B., Cuccaro-Alamin, S., Barth, R. P., Brookhart, A., & Pernas, M. (1998). Child Welfare in a CalWorks Environment: An Empirically-Based Curriculum (University of California, Child Welfare Research Center).
Berrick, J. D., Needell, B., & Barth, R. P. (1995). Kinship Care in California: An Empirically-Based Curriculum (University of California, Berkeley, Child Welfare Research Center).
Special Issues Guest Editor
2002 | Children and Youth Services Review, Special Issue: Kinship Care
1999 | Children and Youth Services Review, Special Issue: Welfare Reform and Child Welfare
1994 | Children and Youth Services Review, Special Issue: Kinship Care
- Systems of Care for Children/Families/Older Adults
- Family Policy
- Child and Family Poverty
- Child Abuse and Neglect
- Foster Care
- Kinship Care
- Child Welfare Services
