Nancy Rolock, PhD

Nancy Rolock (she|her|hers) is the Henry L. Zucker Associate Professor of Social Work Practice at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University. She has conducted child welfare research since 1996. Dr. Rolock is committed to using anti-racist practice, intervention research and implementation science to build evidence-informed services and supports for children and families involved in the child welfare system.

Dr. Rolock has directed research related to disparities and stability for children currently or formerly child welfare involved. She has conducted an in-depth analysis of the reasons for instability for children in foster care, and worked with policy makers, caseworkers and agency leadership to bring change to the system. She directed the research across eight sites for the National Quality Improvement Center for Adoption and Guardianship Support and Preservation that implemented and evaluated interventions aimed at families who have adopted or taken guardianship of children previously in foster care. She also served as the Principal Investigator for a five-year federally funded Understanding Post Adoption and Guardianship Instability project that examined family experiences and outcomes post legal finalization of adoption or guardianship. Nancy is currently collaborating with colleagues at the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund, the Ohio State University, the University of Pittsburg, and community collaborators in three Ohio counties, on the Family Success Network that aims to prevent child maltreatment in these areas.

Dr. Rolock is the Associate Editor for Adoption Quarterly. She also serves on advisory boards that help community organizations with their research and evaluation needs. This includes serving on the Board of Kinnect, a non-profit agency working to find permanent families for all children who experience foster care.

Understanding the risk and protective factors associated with the long-term stability of children, youth, parents and guardians is of utmost importance to the understanding of child and family well-being. Dr. Rolock seeks to illuminate these issues through her research. 

Curriculum Vitae
Biosketch
Google Scholar

Why I Teach

One of the courses I teach is a foundational research class at the MSW level. One of the most satisfying aspects of teaching this class is when students start the semester saying they don’t like research and end the semester saying that they now can see the value of research in their work and lives. I teach to help break down barriers to understanding and using research to improve the lives of those we seek to serve as social workers. I also teach so that I can continue to learn and grow through my interactions with our dedicated and inspiring group of students. 

Why I Chose this Profession

As social workers, we are embedded in complex systems and address wicked problems that don’t have easy answers. These challenges, while sometime daunting, inspire me. I am also inspired by radical advocacy that is part of our social work history and am motivated to work with communities to create a shared sense of belonging and advance equity and social justice.