Selected Publications
Persons with Disabilities, Maltreatment and the Child Welfare and Social Service System
Articles and Book Chapters
Cho, M., Lightfoot, E. & Ihm, J. (In Press). Rates and risk factors for the recurrence of substantiated maltreatment reports between low-income parents with and without disabilities. Child Maltreatment.
DeZelar S. & Lightfoot, E. (2021). Enhancing supports for parents with disabilities: A qualitative inquiry into parent centered planning. Journal of Family Social Work
DeZelar S. & Lightfoot, E. (2020). Who refers parents with intellectual disabilities to the child welfare system? An analysis of referral sources and substantiation. Children and Youth Services Review. DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105639.
Lightfoot, E., *Zheng, M. & DeZelar, S. (2020). Substantiation of child maltreatment among parents with disabilities in the United States. Journal of Public Child Welfare. DOI: 10.1080/15548732.2020.1773369
Lightfoot, E., & DeZelar, S. (2020). Parent Centered Planning: A new model for working with parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Children and Youth Services Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105047
DeZelar, S. & Lightfoot, E. (2019). Parents with disabilities: A case study exploration of support needs and the potential of a supportive intervention. Families in Society. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1044389419841172
Helton, J., Lightfoot, E., Hu, J. & Bruhn, C. (2019). Prevalence and severity of child impairment in a US sample of child maltreatment investigations. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (40)4, 285-292. https://doi.org/10.1097/dbp.0000000000000655
Lightfoot, E. & DeZelar, S. (2019). Social work with parents with disabilities: Historical interactions and contemporary innovations. Social Work Review, 2, 1-10.
Lightfoot, E. & LaLiberte, T. & *Cho, M. (2018). Parental supports for parents with disabilities: The role of informal supports. Child Welfare, 96(4), 89-110.
*DeZelar, S., & Lightfoot, E. (2018). Use of parental disability as a removal reason for children in foster care in the US. Children and Youth Services Review, 86, 128-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.01.027
Slayter, E., Lightfoot, E. & Leisey, M. (2018). Intimate partner violence among transitional-aged women with disabilities. Journal of Agreession, Maltreatment & Trauma, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2017.1382630
Hill, K. & Lightfoot, E. (2018). Youth with disabilities in foster care. In Trejos-Castillo, E & Trevino-Schafer, N. (Eds.) Handbook of Foster Youth. New York: Routledge, pp. 319-334.
Aunos, M., Feldman, M., Callow, E., LaLiberte, T. & Lightfoot, E. (2017). Parenting by persons with intellectual disabilities. In Wehmeyer, M., Brown, I., Percy, M., Shogren, K. & Fung, W. A Comprehensive Guide to Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Second Edition. Baltimore: Brookes, pp. 595-606.
Lightfoot, E. & LaLiberte, T. & *Cho, M. (2017). A case record review of termination of parental rights cases involving parents with a disability. Children and Youth Services Review, 79, 399-407. DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.06.037
Lightfoot, E. & *DeZelar, S. (2016). The experiences and outcomes of children in foster care who were removed because of a parental disability. Children and Youth Services Review, 62, 22–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.11.029
Lightfoot, E. (2015). Children and youth with disabilities in the child welfare system: An overview. Child Welfare, 93(2), 23-45.
Lightfoot, E. (2015). Social work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In Corcoran, K. & Roberts, A. (Ed.). Social workers’ desk reference. (3rd Edition). New York: Oxford University Press.
Lightfoot, E. (2015). Disabilism. In Wright, J. (Ed). International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2nd Edition, Volume 6: Second Edition. Oxford: Elsevier, 446-451.
Lightfoot, E. & Slayter, E. (2014). Disentangling over-representation of parents with disabilities in the child welfare system: Exploring child maltreatment risk factors of parents with disabilities. Children and Youth Services Review, 47(3), 283-290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.10.001
LaLiberte, T. & Lightfoot, E. (2013). Breaking down the silos: Examining the intersection between child welfare and disability. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 7(5), 471-479. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15548732.2013.865962
Lightfoot, E & LaLiberte, T. (2011) Parental supports for parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 49(5), 388-391. DOI: 10.1352/1934-9556-49.5.388
Lightfoot, E., *Hill, K. & LaLiberte, T. (2011). Prevalence of children with disabilities in the child welfare system. Children and Youth Services Review, 33, 2069-2075, DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.02.019.
*Hill, K., Lightfoot, E., & *Kimball, E. (2011). Independent living services for youth with disabilities as they transition from foster care. Child Welfare, 89(6), 62-81.
Lightfoot, E., *Hill, K. & LaLiberte, T. (2010). Disability in the termination of parental rights and other child custody statutes. Child Abuse and Neglect, 34, 927-934, DOI:10.1016/j.chiabu.2010.07.001.
Lightfoot, E. & Williams, O. (2009). The intersection of disability, domestic violence and diversity: Results of national focus groups. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma, 17(2), 133-152. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926770802675551
Lightfoot, E. & Williams, O. (2009). Domestic violence and people of color with disabilities: An overview. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma, 17(2), 129-132. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10926770802675700
Lightfoot, E. & Williams, O. (2009). Critical issues in researching domestic violence and people with disabilities. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma, 17(2), 200-219. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926770802675684
Lee, H., *Park, E. & Lightfoot, E. (2009). When does a battered woman seek help from the police? The role of battered women’s functionality. Journal of Family Violence. DOI: 10.1007/s10896-009-9283-y.
*Hill, K. & Lightfoot, E. (2009). The dilemma between easing service access through a clear diagnosis of disability and unease in assigning labels to people with disabilities: A case study illustration using foster care transition services. Journal of Social Work Ethics and Values, 5(3).
Lightfoot, E. (2008). Social work and case coordination with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In Roberts, A. (Eds.). Social workers’ desk reference. New York: Oxford University Press.
Lightfoot, E. & *LaLiberte, T. (2006). Approaches to child protection case management for cases involving people with disabilities. Child Abuse & Neglect, 30(4), 381-391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2005.10.013
Lightfoot, E. & Lum, Y. (2006). Work behavior of older people with disabilities in the era of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Journal of Social Services Research, 32(4), 171-191. https://doi.org/10.1300/J079v32n04_10
Lum, Y. & Lightfoot, E. (2005). Effects of volunteering on the physical and mental health of older people. Research on Aging, 27(1): 31-55. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0164027504271349
Lightfoot, E. (2003). Accessibility in rural social services agencies: Agency perspectives of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Journal of Social Work and Disability, 2(1), 41 – 55. https://doi.org/10.1300/J198v02n01_03
Other Publications
Lightfoot, E., DeZelar, S. & Suleiman, J. (2021). Parent Centered Planning: Facilitator’s Manual. St. Paul, MN: School of Social Work, University of Minnesota. Manual here.
Lightfoot, E. (2021). Parents with Disabilities Involvement in the Child Welfare System: A Twenty-First Century Bibliography. School of Social Work, Arizona State University. Bibliography here.
Lightfoot, E. (2022). Parent Centered Planning for Parents with Disabilities - 3 part training module. Center for the Advanced Study of Child Welfare, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota. Module Series Here.
Lightfoot, E. (2020). Parent centered planning for parents with disabilities. Practice Notes. St. Paul: Center for the Advanced Study of Child Welfare, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota Practice Note Here
Lightfoot, E. & Zheng, M. (2019). Promising practices to support parents with intellectual disabilities. Practice Notes. St. Paul: Center for the Advanced Study of Child Welfare, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota. Practice Note Here
Lightfoot, E. & DeZelar, S. (2016, Winter). Child well-being in Minnesota—Policy strategies for improving child welfare services for parents with disabilities and their children (Child Welfare Policy Brief No. 10). St. Paul, MN: Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, University of Minnesota. Policy Brief Here
Lightfoot, E., LaLiberte, T., & *Hill, K. (2007). Guide to creating legislative change: Disability status in termination of parental rights and other child custody statutes. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota. Legislative Change Guide Here
Social Work Education - Doctoral Education and Accessible Social Work Education
Articles and Book Chapters
Franklin, C., Lightfoot, E., *Nachbaur, M., & *Sucher, K. (2021). A Study of PhD Courses and Curricula Across Schools of Social Work. Research on Social Work Practice.
Lightfoot, E. (2021). An examination of the productivity of social work doctoral students. Social Work Research.
Lightfoot, E. & *Zheng, M. (2021). Mentoring social work PhD students to help re-imagine long-term care. Journal of Gerontological Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2020.1864540
Lightfoot, E. & *Zheng, M. (2020). A snapshot of the tightening academic job market for social work doctoral students. Journal of Social Work Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2020.1817826
Lightfoot, E. & Beltran, R. (2018). The Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE). In Franklin, C. (Ed). Encyclopedia of Social Work. Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.1281
Lightfoot, E., Franklin, C., & *Beltran, R. (2019). Preparing for the academic job market: A guide for social work doctoral students and their mentors. Journal of Social Work Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2019.1671263
Kiesel, L, *DeZelar, S. & Lightfoot, E. (2019). Equity in social work employment in the United States: Opportunity and challenges for social workers with disabilities. Disability & Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2018.1561354
Kiesel, L., *DeZelar, S. & Lightfoot, E. (2018). Challenges, barriers and opportunities: Social workers with disabilities and experiences in field education. Journal of Social Work Education. 54(4), 696-708. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2018.1507365
Franklin, C., Lightfoot, E. & Zimmerman, S. (2018). Practices and policies for doctoral education and leadership. Journal of Social Work Education, 54(4), 724-726. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2018.1511202
Lein, L., Uehara, E., Lightfoot, E., Lawlor, E., & Williams, J.H. (2017). Smart collaboration for social work research and education that support success in addressing injustices. Social Work Research, 41(2), 67-71, DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/swr/svx008
Lightfoot, E., Gal, J. & Weiss-Gal, I. (2017). Social policy in social work PhD programs in the United States. Research on Social Work Practice. DOI: 10.1177/1049731517710328
Lightfoot, E. & Lee, H. (2015). Professional international service learning as an international service learning opportunity appropriate for graduate or professional students. The International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives, 14(1), 32-41.
Lightfoot, E. & Gibson, P. (2005). Universal Instructional Design: An innovative framework for accommodating social work students. Journal of Social Work Education, 41(2): 269-277. https://doi.org/10.5175/JSWE.2005.200303129
Other Publications
Beltran, R. Lightfoot, E. & Sweeny, M. (2020). The 2020 GADE Guide: A program guide to doctoral study in social work. St. Paul, MN: The Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work. Access GADE Guide 2020 Here
Disability Competent-Care Curriculum Workgroup in collaboration with the CSWE Council on Disability and Persons with Disabilities and the Center for Diversity and Economic Justice (2019). Curricular Resource on Issues of Disability and Disability-Competent Care: Diversity and Justice Supplement. Access Curricular Guide Here
Lightfoot, E. & *Beltran, R. (2016). The GADE Guide: A program guide to doctoral study in social work. St. Paul, MN: The Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work. Access GADE Guide 2016 here
Aging and Disability
*Zheng, M., Kane, R., Hass, K. & Lightfoot, E. (2021). Helping older tenants remain in low-income senior housing: Predictive valididty of the Live Well at Home Rapid Screen (LWAJ-RS) in a real-world application. Journal of Gerontological Social Work.
Lightfoot, E., Moone, R., *Suleiman, K., *Otis, J., *Yun, H., *Kutzler, C. & *Turck, K. (2021). Caregiving during COVID-19: The concerns of caregivers and the surprising silver linings. Journal of Gerontological Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2021.1898512
Lightfoot, E., Moone, R., *Yun, H., *Suleiman, K., *Otis, J., *Turck, K., & *Kutzler, C. (2021). Changes to Family Caregiving of Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities during COVID-19. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1177/23337214211002404
Lightfoot, E. & Moone, R. (2020). Caregiving in times of uncertainty: Helping adult children of aging parents find support during the COVID-19 outbreak. Journal of Gerontological Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2020.1769793
Lightfoot, E. & McCallion, P. (2015). Older Adults with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities. In Be
rkman, B. & Kaplan, D. (Eds.). Oxford Handbook of Social Work in Health and Aging (2nd Edition). New York: Oxford University Press.
Lee, H. & Lightfoot, E. (2014). The culture-embedded social problem of elder mistreatment: A review of international literature on Asian elders. Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2014.864743
Lightfoot, E. & Lee, H. (2014). Elder mistreatment among Asians and Asian Americans: New directions toward prevention, intervention and policy. Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 23(1), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2014.865150
Hewitt, A., Lightfoot, E., *Bogenschutz, M., McCormack, K., Sedlezky, L., & Doljanic, R. (2010). Parental caregivers’ desires for Lifetime Assistance Planning for future supports for their children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Journal of Family Social Work, 13(5). https://doi.org/10.1080/10522158.2010.514678
*Moone, R. & Lightfoot, E. (2009). Social marketing strategies for reaching older people with disabilities: Findings from a survey of Centers for Independent Living. Journal of Social Work in Disability and Rehabilitation, 8(2), 65-81. https://doi.org/10.1080/15367100902937864
Lightfoot, E. (2007). Disability. In Blackburn, J. & Dulmus, C. (Eds.). Handbook of gerontology: Evidence based approaches to theory, practice and policy. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Lightfoot, E. (2006). Social work practice with older adults with developmental disabilities. In Berkman, B. & D’Ambruoso, S. (Eds.). Oxford handbook of social work in aging. Oxford University Press.
Lum, Y. & Lightfoot, E. (2003). The impact of health on retirement saving among older workers. Social Work Research, 27(1), 31-44. https://doi.org/10.1093/swr/27.1.31
International Social Work and Social Welfare
Articles and Book Chapters
Lightfoot, E. (In Press – expected 2022). International social welfare treaties: Implications for the United States. In Roberts, A. & Hokenstad, M. (Eds.) Lessons from abroad: Adapting international social welfare innovations. (2nd edition). Washington, DC: NASW Press, Chapter 9.
Kalomo, E., Shamrova, D., Jun, J., Lightfoot, E., Mgori, N. & Kalb, A. (2021). Psychosocial factors affecting self-esteem among youth living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Namibia. African Journal of Social Work, 11(5), 1-11.
Lazăr, F., Lightfoot, E., Iovu, M. & Dégi, L. (2020). Back from the ashes of communism: The rebirth of the social work profession in Romania. British Journal of Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcaa098
Kalomo, E. N., Lightfoot, E., Lee, K. H., & Freeman, R. (2020). Gender-based violence: Risk and protective factors for depressive symptoms among couples in the Kavango region, Northern Namibia. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 30(2), 103-117. https://doi.org/10.1080/10911359.2019.1642822
*Lotrera, C. & Lightfoot, E. (2019). Theoretical and practical difficulties in researching disabled parenting in Romania. Journal of Comparative Research in Anthropology and Sociology.
Kalomo, E. N., Lee, K. H., Lightfoot, E., & Freeman, R. (2018). Resilience among older caregivers in rural Namibia: The role of financial status, social support and health. Journal of gerontological social work, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2018.1467524
Besthorn, F, Kalomo, E., Lightfoot, E., & Liao, M. (2018). The relationship between social support, stigma and anxiety amongst children living with HIV in rural northern Namibia. African Journal of AIDS Research. 10.2989/16085906.2018.1534748/
Maree, M., Lightfoot, E. & Ananias, J. (2016). A comprehensive alcohol and drug testing policy in the workplace as an intervention in the mining sector. Journal of Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences. 5(1): 120-126.
Ananias, J. & Lightfoot, E. (2012). Promoting social development: Building a professional social work association in Namibia. Journal of Community Practice, 20, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705422.2012.644227
*Haihambo, C. & Lightfoot, E. (2010). Cultural beliefs about disability in Namibia: Implications for inclusion of people with disabilities. International Journal of Special Education, 25(3), 76-87.
Lightfoot, E. & *Kalomo, E. (2010). The interplay of population aging and HIV/AIDS on social development in southern Africa: The case of Namibia. Social Development Issues, 32(1): 1-15.
Lightfoot, E., Maree, M. & *Ananias, J. (2009). Exploring the relationship between HIV and alcohol use in a remote Namibian mining community. African Journal of AIDS Research, 8(3): 321-327. https://doi.org/10.2989/ajar.2009.8.3.8.929
Lightfoot, E. (2004). Community Based Rehabilitation: A rapidly growing method of supporting people with disabilities. International Social Work, 47(4): 455-468. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0020872804046253
Other Publications
Lightfoot, E. (2019). Blog Series on Institutionalization in and International Adoption from Romania. St. Paul: Center for the Advanced Study of Child Welfare, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota. Blog Series Here
Lightfoot, E. & Yoon, Y. (2019) Preparing for the potential reopening of inter-country adoption from Romania. Practice Notes. St. Paul: Center for the Advanced Study of Child Welfare, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota. Access Here
Community Based Participatory Research with Immigrant and Refugee Populations
Lightfoot, E., Blevins, J. & Dube, A. (2021). Mapping as a participatory research approach. In Burns, D., Howard, J. & Ospina, S. (Eds). SAGE Handbook of Participatory Research. London: SAGE Publishing, pp. 71-82. 10.31235/osf.io/h4a2d
Allen, E. M., Lee, H. Y., Pratt, R., Vang, H., Desai, J. R., Dube, A., & Lightfoot, E. (2019). Facilitators and Barriers of Cervical Cancer Screening and Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination Among Somali Refugee Women in the United States: A Qualitative Analysis. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 1043659618796909.
Lightfoot, E., *Blevins, J., Lum, T. & Dube, A. (2016). Cultural health assets of Somali and Oromo immigrants in the United States: Findings from a community-based participatory research project. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 27(1), 252-260. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2016.0023
Lightfoot, E., *Simmelink, J. & Lum, T. (2014). Asset mapping as a tool for community based participatory research in social work. Social Work Research. https://doi.org/10.1093/swr/svu001
*Simmelink, J., Lightfoot, E., Dube, A., *Blevins, J. & Lum, T. (2013). Understanding the health beliefs and practices of East African refugees. American Journal of Health Behavior, 37(2), 155-161. https://doi.org/10.5993/ajhb.37.2.2
Policy, Community and Macro Practice
Bowen, E., *Irish, A & Lightfoot, E. (In Press). A policy mapping primer for social work researchers. Social Work Research.
*Calhoun, M., Lightfoot, E., *Okomoto, K., *Goodenough, K. & *Zheng, M. (2020). Contemporary perceptions of social work: Macro practice in the profession. Journal of Community Practice. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705422.2020.1841702
Toft, J., & Lightfoot, E. (2020). Speaking of Rights and Duties: Implying Mothers’ Citizenship in the US Congressional Welfare Reform Debate. Journal of Policy Practice & Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42972-020-00019-6
Lightfoot, E. (2019). Consumer activism for social change. Social Work, 64(4), DOI: 10.1093/sw/swz035.
Lightfoot, E., & Toft, J. (2019). The Grand Challenges as a macro practice approach for social workers to address societal problems. Social Work Review, 28(4), 1-12.
*Sugrue, E. & Lightfoot, E. (2017). Preschool Policymaking by Stealth: Application of an Alternative Framework for the Policy Process. Journal of Policy Practice. DOI: 10.1080/15588742.2016.1266982
Lightfoot, E., *Nienow, M., *Moua, K., *Colburn, G., & *Petri, A. (2016). Insights on professional identification and licensure from community practice social workers. Journal of Community Practice, 24(2), 123-146. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10705422.2016.1165328
Lightfoot, E. (2008). Disability policy. In Midgley, J., Martin, T. & Livermore, M. (Eds.). Handbook of social policy. Thousand Hills, CA: Sage Publications, pp. 445-462.
Lightfoot, E., Pappas, V. & *Chait, J. (2003). Starting off right: Using open space technology to enable citizens to set the agenda for state disability planning. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 14(1), 7-16. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F10442073030140010201
Lightfoot, E. (2003). A comparative study of social policy transfer: The adoption of anti-discrimination policy in the United Kingdom and Australia. Social Policy Journal, 1(4), 5-22. https://doi.org/10.1300/J185v01n04_02
Lightfoot, E. (2003). The policy transfer model: A tool to help social workers engage in successful policy making. Social Policy Journal, 2(1) 21-34. https://doi.org/10.1300/J185v02n01_03