Leslie D. Hollingsworth

Associate Professor Emerita of Social Work

Leslie Hollingsworth retired on 5/31/2016. Her research interests have focused on circumstances surrounding the lives of vulnerable children and families across the child welfare and mental health systems and their implications for social work practice and policy. Her adoption-related research examined perspectives and experiences of members of the adoption triad - adopted individuals, adoptive parents, and birth parents. She also evaluated the effects of Africentric curricular content on students’ knowledge, values, and skills in interpersonal practice with African American families. She was licensed as a clinical social worker in Michigan and Indiana.

Research Interests

Adoption, African American families, child welfare, mental health, birth parents, adoptive parents, interpersonal practice, family therapy

Curriculum Vitae

Contact Information

Education

  • 1995 PhD Child Development and Family Studies
    Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
  • 1988 Certification Marriage/Family Therapy
    The Family Therapy Institute, Cincinnati, OH
  • 1965 MSW Social Work
    Syracuse University, NY
  • 1963 BA Sociology/Psychology
    Bennett College, Greensboro, NC

News

Activities

Publications

Revel-Hough, H. & Hollingsworth, L. D. (2014). The developmental progression of transracial experiences among South Korean adoptees: A review of the literature. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 24(8), 924-936.
Hollingsworth, L. D. (2014). Birthmothers. In G. P. Mallon, & P. M. Hess (Eds.), Child Welfare for The 21st century: A Handbook of Children, Youth, and Family Services: Practices, Policies, and Programs (2nd ed.). 424-436. Columbia University Press.
Hollingsworth, L. D., Sanchez, N., Gant, L. M., Williams-Shanks, T. R., Allen-Meares, P,, & Miller, P. L. (2014). In E. Zambone & L Gonzalez (Eds.), Providing Technical Assistance to Urban Communities: A Guide of Case Studies and Advice for Community Members. Michigan Publishing, University of Michigan Library.
Hollingsworth, L. D., Swick, D., & Choi, Y.-J. (2013). The role of positive and negative social interactions in child custody outcomes: Voices of U.S. women with serious mental illness. Qualitative Social Work, 12(2), 153-159. Sage Publications.
Hollingsworth, L. D. (2013). Resilience of black families. In D. S. Becvar (Ed.), Handbook of Family Resilience 229-244. New York, NY: Springer.
Hollingsworth, L. D., MacFarlane, P., & Rassi, S. (2011). Is the Life History Calendar a valid measure of child custody loss among birth mothers with serious mental illness? Social Work Research, 35, 53-57.
Allen-Meares, P., Gant, L., Shanks, T., & Hollingsworth, L. (2011). Embedded foundations: Advancing community change and empowerment. Foundation Review, 2(3), 61-78.
Hollingsworth, L. D., Bybee, D., Johnson, E. I., & Swick, D. C. (2010). A comparison of caseworker characteristics in public and private foster care agencies. Children and Youth Services Review, 32, 578-584.
Gant, L. M., Shimshock, K., Allen-Meares, P., Miller, P., Hollingsworth, L., & Shanks, T. (2009). Effects of Photovoice: Civic engagement among older youth in urban communities. Journal of Community Practice, 17(4), 358-376.
Hollingsworth, L. D., Allen-Meares, P., Shanks, T., & Gant, L. M. (2009). Using the miracle question in community engagement and planning. Families in Society, 90(3), 332-335.

Honors and Awards

Year Description
2016 Distinguished Individual Service Award, National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW), New Orleans, LA
2014 SAGE/CSWE Innovative Teaching Award
2013 Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Award
2013 Among women on the U-M campus honored by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon
Chapter, in its Annual Salute to African American Women, for exemplifying the essence of leadership, community service, and campus involvement

Presentations

Year Description
2015 Hollingsworth, L. D. (2015, April). An African-centered practice model of "Collective Work and Responsibility". Annual Conference, National Association of Black Social Workers, Chicago, IL.
2015 Yoo, S., Lewis, J., & Hollingsworth, L. D. (2015, March). Context of disruptions in care-giving responsibilities of mothers with severe mental illness. University of Michigan School of Social Work and Doctoral Office Annual Poster Session, Ann Arbor, MI.
2014 Hollingsworth, L. D. (2014, November). Eliminating child welfare disparities in the state of Michigan: An Africentric perspective. Annual Meeting, Michigan Association of Black Social Workers, Lansing, MI.
2014 Hollingsworth, L. D. (2014, October). Incorporating Africentric perspectives in teaching social work practice with African-descended persons. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Tampa, FL.
2014 Hollingsworth, L. D. (2014). An African-positive approach to interpersonal practice. Continuing Education Workshop. University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI.

Courses

Past Courses

Title Instructor Term Course Section Meeting Start Meeting End
Culturally-responsive practice in African American communities: Prevention and intervention strategies with racial microaggressions Hollingsworth, Leslie D. Spring / Summer 2016 001 09:00 am 05:00 pm View Course
Advanced Topics in Social Work Hollingsworth, Leslie D. Winter 2016 004 06:00 pm 09:00 pm View Course
Culturally-responsive practice in African American communities: Prevention and intervention strategies with racial microaggressions Hollingsworth, Leslie D. Winter 2016 001 09:00 am 05:00 pm View Course
Interpersonal Practice with Families Hollingsworth, Leslie D. Winter 2016 002 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Advanced Topics in Social Work Hollingsworth, Leslie D. Fall 2015 002 06:00 pm 09:00 pm View Course
Interpersonal Practice with Families Hollingsworth, Leslie D. Winter 2015 001 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Advanced Topics in Social Work Hollingsworth, Leslie D. Winter 2015 002 06:00 pm 09:00 pm View Course
Interpersonal Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups Hollingsworth, Leslie D. Fall 2014 004 09:00 am 12:00 pm View Course
Advanced Topics in Social Work Hollingsworth, Leslie D. Fall 2014 002 06:00 pm 09:00 pm View Course
Advanced Topics in Social Work Hollingsworth, Leslie D. Winter 2014 003 06:00 pm 09:00 pm View Course