Elizabeth Powers

BA in Psychology, Webster University (2004)

MSW, Fordham University (2008)

Spring 2016: Forensic Social Work Practice

Elizabeth Powers is the Director of Youth Justice at the Children’s Defense Fund – New York (CDF-NY) where she oversees the Juvenile Justice and Education Justice policy portfolios. Prior to CDF-NY Elizabeth was a Forensic Social Worker at the Legal Aid Society working as part of a legal team representing children in New York City’s Family Court. Following her work in the Bronx and Brooklyn Legal Aid Society trial offices, she served on the Legal Aid Society’s Special Litigation and Law Reform Unit where she contributed to class action law suits on behalf of children in the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice systems. Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Webster University in 2004 and her Master in Social Work degree from Fordham University in 2008. She completed her Master’s thesis as an intern for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, analyzing a pilot mental health treatment modality for inmates held in punitive segregation at Rikers Island.