Program Specialist
Lara Bruce is a Program Specialist at the Butler Institute for Families at the University of Denver. Her current areas of work include coordinating the implementation of the Family Assessment Response Initiative in New York State and managing Communities NOW, a primary child abuse and neglect prevention program. In addition, Ms. Bruce is responsible for curriculum development and training on a variety of topics, including differential response, family group decision making, and immigration in child welfare. She has been responsible for organizing and conducting quality assurance case reviews and learning labs in multiple states. Ms. Bruce brings substantive expertise to Butler Institute on immigration in child welfare. She serves as a member of the steering committee for the Migration and Child Welfare National Network (MCWNN).
Ms. Bruce received her bachelor’s degree in social work from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Plattsburgh. She received her master’s degree in social work from the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver, concentrating in community practice. Her additional experience includes work in the areas of engagement of fathers in child welfare, information and knowledge dissemination, adventure-based counseling, therapeutic foster care, early childhood education, and working with individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. Ms. Bruce is a volunteer with Child Advocates Denver CASA and the Children’s Hospital Sports Program as a ski instructor for children and youth with disabilities.
