Professional Interests:

• Family and children's services
• Clinical practice
• Program development
• Professional ethical issues
• Advocacy strategies

Current research:

• Staff recruitment and retention in public child welfare
• Assessment of the implementation of neighborhood networks at the Administration for Children's Services

Practice Experience:

Professor McGowan practiced for 6 years at a family and child welfare agency in Boston, serving first as a clinical social worker and later as a supervisor and director of the family home department. She also worked for 2 years as a program associate for the Children's Defense Fund where she engaged in case and class advocacy and research around issues related to children of women prisoners and children in placement in the child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice systems.

Since joining the faculty, Professor McGowan has provided case and program consultation at several family and child service agencies, presented many staff development seminars, and served as an expert witness in five lawsuits related to children's rights and homeless families. As a former member of NASW's Committees on Inquiry at both the local and national levels, she has also helped to adjudicate many ethical and professional practice complaints.

Selected Recent Publications:

P. Hess, B. G. McGowan and M. Botsko. Nurturing the One, Supporting the Many: The Center for Family Life in Sunset Park. New York: Columbia University Press, 2003.

B. G. McGowan. "Historical Evolution of Child Welfare Services" in Child Welfare for the Twentieth-First Century: A Handbook of Practices, Policies, and Programs. G. Mallon and P. Hess, eds. New York: Columbia University Press, 2005.

B. G. McGowan and M. Mattison. "Professional Values and Ethics" in Foundations of Social Work Practice, 3rd Ed. M. Mattaini, C. Lowery, and C.M. Meyer, eds. Washington, D.C.: National Association of Social Workers, 2002.

E. Van Bergeijk and B. G. McGowan. "Children in Foster Care" in Handbook of Social Work Practice with Vulnerable Populations, 2nd Ed. A. Gitterman, Ed. NY: Columbia University Press, 2001.

B. G. McGowan, "CUSSW and Child Welfare: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow." In The Columbia University School of Social Work: A Centennial Celebration, R.A. Feldman, S.B. Kamerman, Eds. NY: Columbia University Press, 2001.

P. M. Hess, B. G. McGowan, and M. Botsko. "Preserving and Supporting Families Over Time: The Center for Family Life Preventive Services Program Model." Child Welfare,79(3), (May-June 2000), 227 - 265.

B. G. McGowan and E. M. Walsh. "Policy Challenges for Child Welfare in the New Century," Child Welfare,79(1), (Jan. - Feb. 2000), 11 - 27.

Last updated December 03, 2007.