Lydia DeBiase, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW

Lydia DeBiase

Assistant Professor
Old Main 348 
Kutztown, PA 19530 
Phone: 610-683-4210
Fax: 610-683-4383
debiase@kutztown.edu

Biographical Statement:

Lydia DeBiase earned an MSW and Ph.D. from Widener University and a BSW from Kutztown University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Dr. DeBiase is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work and teaches in the BSW and MSW program. 

Her professional interests include trauma-informed care, child welfare, families at risk, maltreated children, criminal justice, case management, clinical supervision, and clinical work.

Teaching Interests:

  • Practice with Individuals
  • Practice with Families and Groups  
  • Human Behavior in the Social Environment
  • Children and Families at Risk
  • Case Management
  • Child Welfare: Practice and Policy
  • Field Instruction and Seminar
  • Trauma-Informed Care

Research Interests:

  • Trauma-informed care
  • Child Welfare
  • Foster Parenting
  • Case Management

Professional Involvement:

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, August 13, 2014 – present
  • Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Outpatient Therapist
  • Provide clinical supervisor to social workers
  • Provide professional consultation and expertise for child welfare and social work cases being reviewed for litigation.
  • Certified Child Welfare Supervisor, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, 2004 -present
  • Certified Child Welfare Worker. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, 1996 – present
  • Council for Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Expert witness in the field of child abuse and neglect by the Court of Common Pleas in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
  • Expert witness in the field of child abuse and neglect and expert in child play therapy by the Court of Common Pleas in Alleghany County, Virginia.
  • Trained to administer Pennsylvania Client Placement Criteria for drug and alcohol level of care assessments.
  • Publications:

  • Presentations:

    • DeBiase, L. (2023, October). Trauma-Informed care with organizations. National Association of Case Management Conference. New Orleans, LA.
    • Weller, M.R., DeBiase, L.& Vafeas, J. (2023, October). Telehealth case management considerations: Confidentiality and connections. National Association of Case Management Conference. New Orleans, LA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2022, October). Working with families who have experienced trauma. National Association of Case Management Conference. Atlantic City, NJ.
    • Weller, M.R., DeBiase, L.& Vafeas, J. (2022, October). Case management practice during COVID-19. National Association of Case Management Conference. Atlantic City, NJ.
    • DeBiase, L. (2022, May). Secondary trauma and self-compassion. Webinar: National Association of Case Management.
    • DeBiase, L. (2021, August 31, 2021). Trauma Informed Supervision, 26th Annual Case Management Conference, Las Vegas, NV
    • DeBiase, L. (2020, January). Trauma-informed supervision. Clinical Updates Colloquium, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2019, May). Design and implementation of a practitioners focus to a child welfare course: National IV-E Roundtable for Child Welfare Training and Education Conference, Atlantic City, NJ.
    • DeBiase, L. (2019, January). Building resilience in children. Webinar: The Parent Information Center of Delaware.
    • DeBiase, L. (2018, November). The history of distance learning and its integration into social work education. E-Poster at the Council for Social Education Annual Program Meeting, Orlando, FL.
    • DeBiase, L.& Campbell, M. (2018, November). Incarceration and the intersectionality with communities, families, & the individual.  National Association of Social Work: Brandywine Division.
    • DeBiase, L. (2018, August). Trauma informed supervision. SOAR/Biden Foundation Trauma Institute, Wilmington, DE.
    • DeBiase, L., Gilin, B., Stein, E, & Wyatt, J. (2018, June). Trauma informed organizations. Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. & Campbell, M. (2018, May). Incarceration and its impact on communities, families, and individuals: How can social workers respond? Presentation to field instructors at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2014-2018). Mandated reporting. Presentation to MSW students at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2013-2018). Basics of supervision and field seminars. Bi-annual presentations to field instructors at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2018, January). Trauma informed supervision. Presentation to field instructors at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2017, April). International Megan’s law. Poster presentation at the Graduate Student Research Symposium at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2016, June). Building resilience in children. Presentation at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2015, May). Building resilience in children. Presentation at the Chester Wellness and Resiliency Symposium at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2012, July). Child welfare in America. Presentation to visiting faculty from China at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2012, March). Child welfare. Presentation to the Junior BSW Class at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2019, January). Building resilience in children. Webinar: The Parent Information Center of Delaware.
    • DeBiase, L. (2018, November). The history of distance learning and its integration into social work education. E-Poster at the Council for Social Education Annual Program Meeting. Orlando, FL.
    • DeBiase, L.& Campbell, M. (2018, November). Incarceration and the intersectionality with communities, families, & the individual.  National Association of Social Work: Brandywine Division.
    • DeBiase, L. (2018, August). Trauma informed supervision. SOAR/Biden Foundation Trauma Institute, Wilmington, DE.
    • DeBiase, L., Gilin, B., Stein, E, & Wyatt, J. (2018, June). Trauma informed organizations. Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. & Campbell, M. (2018, May). Incarceration and its impact on communities, families, and individuals: How can social workers respond? Presentation to field instructors at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2014-2018). Mandated reporting. Presentation to MSW students at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2013-2018). Basics of supervision and field seminars. Bi-annual presentations to field instructors at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2018, January). Trauma informed supervision. Presentation to field instructors at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2017, April). International Megan’s law. Poster presentation at the Graduate Student Research Symposium at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2016, June). Building resilience in children. Presentation at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2015, May). Building resilience in children. Presentation at the Chester Wellness and Resiliency Symposium at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2012, July). Child welfare in America. Presentation to visiting faculty from China at Widener University, Chester, PA.
    • DeBiase, L. (2012, March). Child welfare. Presentation to the Junior BSW Class at Widener University, Chester, PA