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 from Widener University and a BSW from Kutztown University. She received her PhD from Widener University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Dr. DeBiase is an Instructor in the Department of Social Work and teaches in the BSW and MSW program. Dr. DeBiase has taught both online and in-person classes previously at Widener University. 

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