Astraea Augsberger

Assistant Professor

Specialties

• Child Welfare Policy and Programs

• Youth Engagement

• Positive Youth Development

• Health Equity

• Community Engaged Research

Astraea Augsberger

faculty details

Bio

Astraea Augsberger has dedicated her social work career to promoting the rights of children, youth and families to have a voice in organizational and institutional practices, programs and policies that directly or indirectly impact their lives. Her research program examines multi-level factors that inhibit or facilitate a person’s ability to participate in decision making within multiple institutions including child welfare, municipal government, education, and health care.

Augsberger’s research has been shaped by 15+ years of clinical social work practice with children and families involved in multiple systems. Prior to pursuing her PhD, she was a forensic social worker and supervisor at the Juvenile Rights Practice of the Legal Aid Society in New York City Family Court and directed mental health programs at International House, New York.

Augsberger’s research has been published in peer-reviewed journals including BMC-Health Services Research, Children and Youth Services Review, Journal of Community Psychology, and Journal of Adolescent Research. Augsberger has served as an expert advisor on youth engagement strategies and best practices to multiple federal, state and local advisory boards focused, such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Youth MOVE National, and the Boston Mayor’s Office.

Education

BS (Human Development & Family Relations)

University of Connecticut

MSW (Advanced Generalist Practice & Programming)

Columbia University

PhD (Advanced Clinical Practice)

Columbia University

Courses

WP 707 Social Welfare Policy and Programs on Children
CP 759 Introduction to Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups
CP 770 Clinical Practice with Individuals
SR 906 Qualitative Research Methods

Courses

WP 707 Social Welfare Policy and Programs on Children
CP 759 Introduction to Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups
CP 770 Clinical Practice with Individuals
SR 906 Qualitative Research Methods

Publications

Augsberger, A., Toraif, N., Young, A., Dimitri, N., Garcia, S., Idahor, O., Pierre, J., Lee, C., Jusme, C. & Gergen Barnett, K. (2022). COVID-19 shines a light on health inequities in communities of color in the greater Boston area: A youth-driven photovoice inquiry. Journal of Community Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22866

Augsberger, A., Collins, M., & Levine, B. (2022). Family engagement in child welfare system-level change: A review of current models. Families in Society: Journal of Contemporary Social Services. https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894211067855

Gecker, W., Augsberger, A., Collins, M., & Barber, K. (2021). Eyes on Parkland: Coverage of youth civic engagement in the aftermath of a mass shooting. Children, Youth and Environments. 31(3), 137-14. https://doi.org/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.31.3.0137

Toraif, N., Augsberger, A., Young, A., Murillo, H., Lee, C., Batista, R., Garcia, S., Sprague-Martinez, L., & Gergen-Barnett (2021). How to be an antiracist: Youth of color’s critical perspectives of antiracism in a youth participatory action research context. Journal of Adolescent Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/07435584211028224

Teixeira, S., Augsberger, A., Richards-Schuster, K., & Sprague-Martinez, L. (2021). American Journal of Community Psychology. Participatory research approaches with youth: Ethics, engagement, and meaningful action. doi: 10.1002/ajcp.12501 (Top Cited Article 2020-2021).

Teixeira, S., Augsberger, A., Richards-Schuster, K., Sprague Martinez, L., & Evans, K. (2021). Opportunities to “Make Macro Matter” through the grand challenges for social work. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044389420972488

Collins, M.C., Augsberger, A. & Kerzner-Sirois, L. (2021). Examining civic engagement opportunities for system-involved youth: A comparative analysis. Journal of Youth Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2021.1892617.

Augsberger, A., Zeitlin, W., Rao, T., Weisberg, D., & Toraif, N. (2020) Examining a child welfare parenting intervention for parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Research on Social Work Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731520958489

Augsberger, A., *Toraif, N., Springwater, J., Hilliard-Koshinsky, G., & Sprague Martinez, L. (2020). Strategies for engaging youth currently and formerly involved in foster care child welfare policy advocacy: Lessons from the New England Youth Coalition. Child Welfare Special Issue, 97 (6), 251-270.

Collins, M., & Augsberger, A. (2020). Leaving care workers in a time of coronavirus: Discretion and constraints. Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1080/13876988.2020.1841560.

Zeitlin, W., Augsberger, A., Weisberg, D., Rao, T., & *Toraif, N. (2020) Measuring parenting skills: Validating the skills assessment for parents with intellectual disability. Journal of Evidence Based Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1080/26408066.2020.1830909.

Sprague Martinez, L., Tang Yan, C., Augsberger, A., Ndulue, U., Libsch, M., Pierre, J., Freeman, E., & Gergen-Barnett, K. (2020). Changing the face of health care delivery: The importance of youth participation. Health Affairs, 39 (10), 1776-1782. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00728

Augsberger, A., Springwater, J.S., Hilliard-Koshinsky, G., *Barber, K., & Sprague-Martinez, L. (2019) Youth engagement in policy-advocacy: Examination of a multi-state former and current foster care youth coalition. Children and Youth Services Review, 107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104491

Augsberger, A., *Gecker, W.A. & Collins, M.E. (2019). “We make direct impact on people’s lives:” Youth empowerment in the context of a participatory budgeting project. Journal of Community Psychology. 2018, 1-15. DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22131

Publications

Augsberger, A., Toraif, N., Young, A., Dimitri, N., Garcia, S., Idahor, O., Pierre, J., Lee, C., Jusme, C. & Gergen Barnett, K. (2022). COVID-19 shines a light on health inequities in communities of color in the greater Boston area: A youth-driven photovoice inquiry. Journal of Community Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22866

Augsberger, A., Collins, M., & Levine, B. (2022). Family engagement in child welfare system-level change: A review of current models. Families in Society: Journal of Contemporary Social Services. https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894211067855

Gecker, W., Augsberger, A., Collins, M., & Barber, K. (2021). Eyes on Parkland: Coverage of youth civic engagement in the aftermath of a mass shooting. Children, Youth and Environments. 31(3), 137-14. https://doi.org/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.31.3.0137

Toraif, N., Augsberger, A., Young, A., Murillo, H., Lee, C., Batista, R., Garcia, S., Sprague-Martinez, L., & Gergen-Barnett (2021). How to be an antiracist: Youth of color’s critical perspectives of antiracism in a youth participatory action research context. Journal of Adolescent Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/07435584211028224

Teixeira, S., Augsberger, A., Richards-Schuster, K., & Sprague-Martinez, L. (2021). American Journal of Community Psychology. Participatory research approaches with youth: Ethics, engagement, and meaningful action. doi: 10.1002/ajcp.12501 (Top Cited Article 2020-2021).

Teixeira, S., Augsberger, A., Richards-Schuster, K., Sprague Martinez, L., & Evans, K. (2021). Opportunities to “Make Macro Matter” through the grand challenges for social work. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044389420972488

Collins, M.C., Augsberger, A. & Kerzner-Sirois, L. (2021). Examining civic engagement opportunities for system-involved youth: A comparative analysis. Journal of Youth Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2021.1892617.

Augsberger, A., Zeitlin, W., Rao, T., Weisberg, D., & Toraif, N. (2020) Examining a child welfare parenting intervention for parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Research on Social Work Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731520958489

Augsberger, A., *Toraif, N., Springwater, J., Hilliard-Koshinsky, G., & Sprague Martinez, L. (2020). Strategies for engaging youth currently and formerly involved in foster care child welfare policy advocacy: Lessons from the New England Youth Coalition. Child Welfare Special Issue, 97 (6), 251-270.

Collins, M., & Augsberger, A. (2020). Leaving care workers in a time of coronavirus: Discretion and constraints. Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1080/13876988.2020.1841560.

Zeitlin, W., Augsberger, A., Weisberg, D., Rao, T., & *Toraif, N. (2020) Measuring parenting skills: Validating the skills assessment for parents with intellectual disability. Journal of Evidence Based Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1080/26408066.2020.1830909.

Sprague Martinez, L., Tang Yan, C., Augsberger, A., Ndulue, U., Libsch, M., Pierre, J., Freeman, E., & Gergen-Barnett, K. (2020). Changing the face of health care delivery: The importance of youth participation. Health Affairs, 39 (10), 1776-1782. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00728

Augsberger, A., Springwater, J.S., Hilliard-Koshinsky, G., *Barber, K., & Sprague-Martinez, L. (2019) Youth engagement in policy-advocacy: Examination of a multi-state former and current foster care youth coalition. Children and Youth Services Review, 107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104491

Augsberger, A., *Gecker, W.A. & Collins, M.E. (2019). “We make direct impact on people’s lives:” Youth empowerment in the context of a participatory budgeting project. Journal of Community Psychology. 2018, 1-15. DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22131

Presentations

Augsberger, A., Collins, M., & Levine, B. (2022). Engaging family voice in child welfare program and policy change: Understanding current practice. Poster presentation, 26th Annual Society for Social Work and Research Conference, Washington D.C.

Augsberger, A. & Pierre, J. (2021). Youth advisory boards in healthcare settings: Lessons from research and practice. Black Minds Matter: Rise Up Conference. Boston Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA.

Augsberger, A., Toraif, N., Young, A., Dimitri, N., Pierre, J., Bautista, R., Le, C., Idahor, O., & Gergen-Barnett, K. (2021). COVID-19 shines a light on health inequities in Communities of Color in the Greater Boston Area: A Youth-led Photovoice Inquiry. Plenary session oral presentation, Boston Area Research Initiative (BARI), Boston, MA.

Augsberger, A., Toraif, N., Young, A., Murillo, H., & Gergen Barnett, K. (2022). Youth advisory boards in healthcare settings: An ethnographic study of youth participation in an accountable care organization. Poster presentation, 26th Annual Society for Social Work and Research Conference, Washington D.C.

Augsberger, A., Zeitlin, W., *Toraif, N., & Chontow, K. (2021). Child welfare risk factors and program interventions for parents with intellectual developmental disabilities (I/DD): A systematic review of the literature. Poster presentation, American Public Health Association 2021 Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.

Augsberger, A., Zeitlin, W., & *Toraif, N. (2021). Keeping Families Together: A mixed methods study of a parenting intervention for parents with intellectual disability. Poster presentation, 25th Annual Society for Social Work and Research Conference, Virtual Conference.

Augsberger, A., Zeitlin, W., Toraif, N., & Chitrow, K., (2021). Supporting parents with intellectual disabilities in child welfare: A systematic review. Oral presentation, 6th Annual International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) Europe Congress 2021.

Zeitlin, W., Lorr, S. & Augsberger, A. (2021). Under the radar: Parents with intellectual disability in the U.S. child welfare system. Roundtable presentation, 6th Annual International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) Europe Congress 2021.

Presentations

Augsberger, A., Collins, M., & Levine, B. (2022). Engaging family voice in child welfare program and policy change: Understanding current practice. Poster presentation, 26th Annual Society for Social Work and Research Conference, Washington D.C.

Augsberger, A. & Pierre, J. (2021). Youth advisory boards in healthcare settings: Lessons from research and practice. Black Minds Matter: Rise Up Conference. Boston Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, MA.

Augsberger, A., Toraif, N., Young, A., Dimitri, N., Pierre, J., Bautista, R., Le, C., Idahor, O., & Gergen-Barnett, K. (2021). COVID-19 shines a light on health inequities in Communities of Color in the Greater Boston Area: A Youth-led Photovoice Inquiry. Plenary session oral presentation, Boston Area Research Initiative (BARI), Boston, MA.

Augsberger, A., Toraif, N., Young, A., Murillo, H., & Gergen Barnett, K. (2022). Youth advisory boards in healthcare settings: An ethnographic study of youth participation in an accountable care organization. Poster presentation, 26th Annual Society for Social Work and Research Conference, Washington D.C.

Augsberger, A., Zeitlin, W., *Toraif, N., & Chontow, K. (2021). Child welfare risk factors and program interventions for parents with intellectual developmental disabilities (I/DD): A systematic review of the literature. Poster presentation, American Public Health Association 2021 Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.

Augsberger, A., Zeitlin, W., & *Toraif, N. (2021). Keeping Families Together: A mixed methods study of a parenting intervention for parents with intellectual disability. Poster presentation, 25th Annual Society for Social Work and Research Conference, Virtual Conference.

Augsberger, A., Zeitlin, W., Toraif, N., & Chitrow, K., (2021). Supporting parents with intellectual disabilities in child welfare: A systematic review. Oral presentation, 6th Annual International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) Europe Congress 2021.

Zeitlin, W., Lorr, S. & Augsberger, A. (2021). Under the radar: Parents with intellectual disability in the U.S. child welfare system. Roundtable presentation, 6th Annual International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) Europe Congress 2021.

Grants

2022-2023 Principal Investigator. Examination of Family Engagement in Leadership and Support Programs. Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition, Office of Family Initiatives. (Pending Contract)

2021-2022 Co-Principal Investigator. Youth Emergency Mental Health Response in Boston. Boston University Initiative on Cities, Pilot Grant. (PI Green). $10,000.

2021-2022 Co-Principal Investigator. Examining Dually Involved Black Indigenous Youth of Color’s Re-entry Experiences in Massachusetts. Boston University Initiative on Cities Pilot Grant. (PI: Toraif). $10,000

2021 Faculty Mentor. Healthcare Provider Perspectives on a Data-Driven Youth-led Health Promotion Campaign. Boston University Institute for Health System Innovation and Policy. Student Summer Research Program. $4,800.

2020-2021 Principal Investigator. A Data Driven Youth Led Health Promotion Strategy for a Safety Net Accountable Care Organization. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through Boston University-Clinical & Transitional Science Institute, Pilot Grant. (1UL1TR00143). (Co-PI Gergen Barnett). $50,000.

2019-2020 Principal Investigator. Social Mobility and Research Training (SMART): A workforce development and youth participatory action research program for youth with lived experiences of homelessness. Liberty Mutual Foundation. $75,000.

2019-2020 Principal Investigator. County Child Welfare and University Collaboration:
Building Evidence for a Preventive Parenting Intervention for Clients with Intellectual Disabilities. Boston University Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health. $15,000.

2018 Co-Principal Investigator. My Summer in the City, Youth Led Evaluation. Boston University School of Social Work, Boston MA. The Boston Foundation and MassHousing. (PI Sprague Martinez). $44,148

2014-2015 Principal Investigator. The Social Justice Function of Youth Councils. Boston University, Boston, MA. Boston University, Initiative on Cities, Seed Grant. $5,000.

2010-2013 Principal Investigator, Youth Participation in Child Welfare Decision Making: A Focused Ethnography. Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY. Fahs Beck Fund, New York Community Trust and New York Foundling Vincent Fontana Center, Doctoral Dissertation Grant. $8,500.

Grants

2022-2023 Principal Investigator. Examination of Family Engagement in Leadership and Support Programs. Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition, Office of Family Initiatives. (Pending Contract)

2021-2022 Co-Principal Investigator. Youth Emergency Mental Health Response in Boston. Boston University Initiative on Cities, Pilot Grant. (PI Green). $10,000.

2021-2022 Co-Principal Investigator. Examining Dually Involved Black Indigenous Youth of Color’s Re-entry Experiences in Massachusetts. Boston University Initiative on Cities Pilot Grant. (PI: Toraif). $10,000

2021 Faculty Mentor. Healthcare Provider Perspectives on a Data-Driven Youth-led Health Promotion Campaign. Boston University Institute for Health System Innovation and Policy. Student Summer Research Program. $4,800.

2020-2021 Principal Investigator. A Data Driven Youth Led Health Promotion Strategy for a Safety Net Accountable Care Organization. National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through Boston University-Clinical & Transitional Science Institute, Pilot Grant. (1UL1TR00143). (Co-PI Gergen Barnett). $50,000.

2019-2020 Principal Investigator. Social Mobility and Research Training (SMART): A workforce development and youth participatory action research program for youth with lived experiences of homelessness. Liberty Mutual Foundation. $75,000.

2019-2020 Principal Investigator. County Child Welfare and University Collaboration:
Building Evidence for a Preventive Parenting Intervention for Clients with Intellectual Disabilities. Boston University Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health. $15,000.

2018 Co-Principal Investigator. My Summer in the City, Youth Led Evaluation. Boston University School of Social Work, Boston MA. The Boston Foundation and MassHousing. (PI Sprague Martinez). $44,148

2014-2015 Principal Investigator. The Social Justice Function of Youth Councils. Boston University, Boston, MA. Boston University, Initiative on Cities, Seed Grant. $5,000.

2010-2013 Principal Investigator, Youth Participation in Child Welfare Decision Making: A Focused Ethnography. Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY. Fahs Beck Fund, New York Community Trust and New York Foundling Vincent Fontana Center, Doctoral Dissertation Grant. $8,500.

Professional Activities and Certifications

2021-present Member. Comprehensive Behavioral Health Model (CBHM) Research Team. Boston Public Schools Behavioral Health Department.

2019-present Co-Convener & Advisory Board Member. Coalition on Boston’s Youth Mental Health and Crisis Response. BU Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health, BU Wheelock School of Education, and Boston Medical Center Department of Psychiatry.

2019-present Faculty Affiliate. BU Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health.

2015-present Faculty Affiliate. Boston University Initiative on Cities.

2018-present Invited Expert Advisor. Youth MOVE National. Best Practices Committee; Research & Evaluation Subcommittee.

2019-2020 Expert Advisor. Trauma Pamphlet Project. Family Resources Center, Boston, MA.

2018-2019 Advisory Board Member. Community-based Culture of Health Accelerator (CoHA), Boston Medical Center, Family Medicine Department, Boston, MA

2018 Invited Expert Advisor. Youth Engagement in Federally Funded Projects, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Consulting Editor
2013-2017 Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services

Ad Hoc Reviewer (journals listed alphabetically)
Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research
Applied Developmental Science
Child Care in Practice
Child and Family Social Work
Child and Youth Care Forum
Children and Youth Services Review
Child Welfare
Cities
Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology
Early Intervention in Psychiatry
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services
Health Expectations
Human Service Organizations: Management, Leadership, & Governance International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Journal of Adolescent Research
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse
Journal of Community Practice
Journal of Community Psychology
Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work
Journal of Youth Studies
Youth and Society
Urban Research and Practice

Book Reviewer
2022 & 2017 Oxford University Press, Social Justice and Youth Community Practice Series
2020 Springer Publishing Company, Behavioral Sciences, Book Proposal

Licensure
2006-present New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker (#074109)

Professional Activities and Certifications

2021-present Member. Comprehensive Behavioral Health Model (CBHM) Research Team. Boston Public Schools Behavioral Health Department.

2019-present Co-Convener & Advisory Board Member. Coalition on Boston’s Youth Mental Health and Crisis Response. BU Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health, BU Wheelock School of Education, and Boston Medical Center Department of Psychiatry.

2019-present Faculty Affiliate. BU Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health.

2015-present Faculty Affiliate. Boston University Initiative on Cities.

2018-present Invited Expert Advisor. Youth MOVE National. Best Practices Committee; Research & Evaluation Subcommittee.

2019-2020 Expert Advisor. Trauma Pamphlet Project. Family Resources Center, Boston, MA.

2018-2019 Advisory Board Member. Community-based Culture of Health Accelerator (CoHA), Boston Medical Center, Family Medicine Department, Boston, MA

2018 Invited Expert Advisor. Youth Engagement in Federally Funded Projects, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Consulting Editor
2013-2017 Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services

Ad Hoc Reviewer (journals listed alphabetically)
Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research
Applied Developmental Science
Child Care in Practice
Child and Family Social Work
Child and Youth Care Forum
Children and Youth Services Review
Child Welfare
Cities
Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology
Early Intervention in Psychiatry
Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services
Health Expectations
Human Service Organizations: Management, Leadership, & Governance International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Journal of Adolescent Research
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse
Journal of Community Practice
Journal of Community Psychology
Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work
Journal of Youth Studies
Youth and Society
Urban Research and Practice

Book Reviewer
2022 & 2017 Oxford University Press, Social Justice and Youth Community Practice Series
2020 Springer Publishing Company, Behavioral Sciences, Book Proposal

Licensure
2006-present New York State Licensed Clinical Social Worker (#074109)

Awards and Honors

2013 Doctoral Student Commencement Speaker

2013 New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) Outstanding Student Award

Awards and Honors

2013 Doctoral Student Commencement Speaker

2013 New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) Outstanding Student Award
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