Ruth McDonald Chambers California State University Long Beach, USA

Ruth M. Chambers, PhD, LCSW, is an associate professor in the School of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach.  Her specialty areas are child welfare, service delivery, service integration, and policy practice.  Her primary research focuses on the child welfare system where she uses mixed methods to examine child neglect, poverty, services, and family outcomes. Dr. Chambers has conducted numerous research studies; published a book and several articles; and presented at national and international conferences, workshops, and community agencies on these topics. Prior to obtaining her PhD, she was a social worker who specialized in children, youth, and families and worked in a variety of settings such as residential treatment, community organizations, and public agencies for over 20 years.  Dr. Chambers currently teaches bachelor’s level courses in direct practice and policy analysis, and master’s level courses in social welfare policy, policy practice, and thesis advisement.  She also provides consultation to various advocacy groups, public agencies, and children’s rights organizations throughout the United States.  She received her MSW degree from San Diego State University in 1989 and a PhD in social work from the University of Denver in 2006.