AWARDS & HONORS

2025 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

Norfolk State University

2025 PRESIDENT EMERITA

National Organization of Forensic Social Work

2024 ALUMNI STARS AWARD

Virginia Commonwealth University

2023 DONALD R. FRIDLEY MEMORIAL AWARD for EXCELLENCE in TRAINING and MENTORING

Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma

2023 OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL IN ACADEMIA

Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy

2020 THE HONORABLE SOL GOTHARD LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

National Organization of Forensic Social Work

2019 PRESIDENT EMERITA

National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan

2019 CSWE LEADERSHIP SCHOLAR

Council of Social Work Education

2018 OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD

American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children

2016 PRESIDENT EMERITA

American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children

2015 CHILD WELFARE CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION

Family and Children's Trust Fund of Virginia (formerly Governor's Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect)

2014 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD for SOCIAL WORK

Champions for Children (formerly Prevent Child Abuse Hampton Roads)

2013 EXCELLENCE IN CHILD ADVOCACY

Children's Rights Commissioner for the President of the Russian Federation

2012 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

National Association of Social Workers - Virginia Chapter

2011 SERVICE AWARD for EDITORSHIP - JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SOCIAL WORK

National Organization of Forensic Social Work

2011 OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD IN MENTAL HEALTH

National Children's Advocacy Center

1993 - 1995 GRADUATE STUDIES FELLOWSHIPS

Virginia Commonwealth University

EDUCATION

2013 MASTER OF JURISPRUDENCE

Loyola University,   Chicago, IL

• Children's Law and Policy Concentration

2003 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN SOCIAL WORK

Virginia Commonwealth University,   Richmond, VA

• Clinical Research and Social Policy Concentration
• Dissertation: Nonoffending Mothers Parenting Their Sexually Abused Children

1987 MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK
Norfolk State University,   Norfolk, VA

• Clinical Practice Concentration

1985 BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Old Dominion University,   Norfolk, VA

• Psychology Major
• Women's Studies Certificate

Postgraduate Education

2019 MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Graduate School of Education, Harvard Institutes of Higher Education

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

2014 CERTIFICATE in INTERDISCIPLINARY LEADERSHIP

International Academy of Collaborative Professionals,   Phoenix, AZ

CREDENTIALS

1991 LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER

Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Social Work #0904-001680

EXPERT WITNESS EXPERIENCE

• Regularly serve as an expert witness in all jurisdictions within the Hampton Roads' Courts.
• Evaluated and/or consulted on more than 3000 child abuse and neglect cases.
• Majority of referrals were from Social Services and the Courts.
• Qualified more than 700 times as an expert in child welfare cases in Juvenile and Domestic Relations, Circuit, and Federal Courts including 22 jurisdictions in Virginia and several other states, as well as three branches of U.S. Military Court.

CLINICAL & FORENSIC EXPERIENCE
Vaughan-Eden Counseling Services, PLC

• Child and Family Resources
• Collaborative Divorce Solutions

• Mental Health and Forensic Services to children and families who have experienced maltreatment, childhood psychiatric disorders, and/or foster care and adoption issues.
• Child Specialist and Coach for divorcing couples using collaborative practice.
• Trainer and Consultant to national and international professionals of various disciplines on child development and maltreatment issues.
• Editorial board member and reviewer for several national peer-refereed journals.
• Board Director for various local and national child welfare organizations.