Professor Azzi Lessing Co-Edits CWLA’s Special Issue, “Poverty, Race, & Child Welfare”
In a special double issue of “Poverty, Race, & Child Welfare,” guest co-editors Professor Lenette Azzi-Lessing and University of Colorado Boulder Professor Vandra Sinha begin their foreword with the same struggle many have encountered over the past two years: “We couldn’t have envisioned the transformative events that would take place by the time of the […]
Professor Azzi-Lessing Named Senior Fellow at Child Welfare League of America
Clinical Professor Lenette Azzi-Lessing has been named a Senior Fellow at the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), where she has worked with 30 years. As a Senior Fellow, Azzi-Lessing will have the opportunity to use her extensive experience in child welfare to further the mission of CWLA. The organization’s mission is to convene a […]
Professor Azzi-Lessing’s Keynote Address at Hong Kong Symposium Focuses on Meeting Needs of Vulnerable Children & Families
Clinical Professor Lenette Azzi-Lessing recently gave a keynote address to 700 participants at the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong’s Symposium on Early Childhood Intervention. Titled “Policies and Practices to Address the Needs of Highly Vulnerable Young Children and Their Families,” her presentation drew from her extensive experience as a social worker, administrator, […]
WGBH: Professor Azzi-Lessing Explains How Cash Assistance Reduced Poverty in U.S. During COVID-19
In a recent interview with WGBH, Professor Lenette Azzi-Lessing discussed how cash assistance, such as government stimulus checks, had an overwhelmingly positive effect on individuals and families struggling with poverty. “Early on, there was grave worry that the most vulnerable individuals and families–those with little or no savings and those living paycheck to paycheck–would fall […]
Professor Azzi-Lessing Named Founding Member of National Committee on Equity at Child Welfare League of America
Addressing and solving inequity, particularly for Black and Indigenous children, is the focus of the Child Welfare League of America’s (CWLA) new National Standing Committee on Equity. Tapping into her expertise in advancing economic and racial equity and her experience in child welfare system reform, CWLA named BUSSW Professor Lenette Azzi-Lessing a member of the […]
The Hill: “Reform the Child Welfare System to Protect Vulnerable Children,” By Prof. Azzi-Lessing
In an opinion piece first published by The Hill, BU School of Social Work professor Lenette Azzi-Lessing explains why the United States should reform child protective services – not abolish them. Excerpted from “Reform the Child Welfare System to Protect Vulnerable Children” (The Hill), by Lenette Azzi-Lessing: The child welfare system — like other powerful […]
AP News: Professor Azzi-Lessing on ‘Common Good and Coronavirus’
BU School of Social Work clinical professor Lenette Azzi-Lessing speaks to Associated Press reporter Ted Anthony about individualism and interdependence. Excerpted from “Me and we: Individual rights, common good and coronavirus” (Associated Press): Individualism tends to favor groups that are in power, economically or socially. In short, doing what one wants is a lot easier when […]
Professor Azzi-Lessing Works with South African Researchers to Improve Home-Visiting Services in Eastern Cape Province
At a conference held in Cape Town, South Africa for the nation’s social work educators, clinical professor Lenette Azzi-Lessing joined South African researcher and professor Kim Schmidt to present findings from their study on the experiences of home-visitors working with some of that nation’s most vulnerable families. Early childhood development (ECD) home-visiting, a model of […]
Podcast with Professor Azzi-Lessing Tackles “America’s War on the Poor”
Clinical Professor Lenette Azzi-Lessing is the featured guest on this week’s “Story in the Public Square,” a weekly television show and podcast that highlights stories impacting public policy and knowledge. In this episode, Azzi-Lessing discusses themes from her book, Behind from the Start: How America’s War on the Poor is Harming Our Most Vulnerable Children, […]