Profile

Dr. Schweer-Collins’ research uses a prevention science framework to tackle issues surrounding child maltreatment, justice involvement, and substance use. Part of this work relies on applying research synthesis methods to better understand for whom and under what conditions programs and practices are most effective. In her role at the HEDCO Institute, she and collaborators partner with education practitioners to identify pressing needs that can be addressed through research syntheses and translated into practical recommendations and tools.

Dr. Schweer-Collins is also running a longitudinal study following the lives of women with histories in juvenile justice and child welfare and their children. Ultimately, this work seeks to identify the assets and positive factors that contribute to discontinued involvement in the justice and child welfare systems to enhance tailored supports for families affected by these systems. She and her collaborators use different methods to study these topics including administrative data, surveys, behavioral coding, and biospecimens. Her research has been supported by extramural funding from the National Institute of Justice, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.