Interview #70 Susan Badeau November 15, 2011

Susan Badeau (Sue) writes extensively on topics related to children, particularly those with special needs. She is a frequent and passionate keynote speaker and workshop leader at state, regional and national conferences. 

Sue and her husband are parents of 22 children, 2 by birth and 20 adopted (two now deceased). The children come from diverse backgrounds and have mental, physical, intellectual and emotional challenges.

Active in community efforts on behalf of children and families with special needs, Sue is a passionate expert on topics, such as the impact of trauma and out-of-home placement on children's development, achieving permanence for older adolescents, the importance of the sibling bond and the lifelong value of birth family connections for foster and adopted children.

Sue has a degree in Early Childhood Development and Elementary Education from Smith College. She's been a child welfare professional for 32 years working in adoption, foster care, juvenile justice and children's mental health in public and private agencies. She has developed curricula on topics to prepare professional child welfare staff, adoptive and foster parents, judges, attorneys and youth. 

Currently the Director of the Cross Systems Integration team within the Knowledge Management department of Casey Family Programs, Sue is serving as a Senior Fellow within the Dept. of Justice. 

In recent years, Sue Badeau also served as the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Children's Commission and as the Deputy Director of the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care. In addition, she has been a policy consultant for public and private agencies, universities and court systems.

Sue finds strength in her faith, especially in verses such as Matthew 18:5-6, James 1:27 and Luke 18:6-7. 

Her website is http://www.badeaufamily.com