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DSW Showcase Student Presentation

Mariah Lehnhoff

CSW

Addressing the De-Professionalization of the Child Welfare System Utilizing Intersectional Systems Theory in Social Work Education

Concentration -

  • Wednesday, April 30, 2025 -
  • 4:00 pm
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Abstract

This presentation is broken down into three scholarships to highlight the consequences of the de-professionalization of the child welfare system and how social work education can improve the outcomes for children and families. The systematic literature review focuses on the role of social work in child welfare and examines data to determine how social work education is preparing competent professionals to work in child welfare. The conceptual scholarship introduces intersectional systems theory as a new conceptual framework to acknowledge and decimate the oppressive policies and practices in child welfare that have directly contributed to inequality and discrimination of Black youth and families. The application scholarship applies the new conceptual framework as previously outlined to current Title IV-E programs that provide social work students with unique and tactful learning experiences to re-professionalize the child welfare system with culturally and professionally prepared social workers. Child welfare professionals are directly responsible for making decisions in some of the most difficult, complex situations. It is imperative for child welfare professionals to understand culturally competent advocacy.

Biography

Mariah Lehnhoff is a licensed social worker who has devoted herself to serving patients and families in Kentucky and surrounding states. After graduating with her Master of Social Work from Northern Kentucky University in 2020, she began working at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, working with patients experiencing elder abuse, substance misuse, mental and behavioral health problems, and homelessness. In her career, she has had the privilege of working for both of Kentucky’s Level I Pediatric Trauma Centers, Makenna David Pediatric Emergency Center at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, and is presently working at Norton Children’s Hospital. In these roles, Ms. Lehnhoff has expanded her knowledge and passion for child welfare. Ms. Lehnhoff has received recognition from Norton Healthcare administrators for her strong voice and tireless advocacy for youth and adolescents experiencing abuse and neglect. As a child maltreatment survivor herself, she has dedicated her career to advocating for other victims of child maltreatment.
As a Doctoral of Social Work candidate at the University of Kentucky with a concentration in social work education, Ms. Lehnhoff has centered her research studies on examining the lasting consequences of failed reunification and re-entry into child welfare on youth and families. She is passionate about ensuring that child welfare professionals are culturally competent and prepared to make difficult decisions in the most complex situations through social work education. In the future, she hopes to improve learning opportunities for social work students interested in child welfare by implementing strategies and collaborative work with child welfare agencies and schools of social work.