Ms. Booth is responsible for research tasks associated with projects sponsored by the Maryland Judiciary, Administrative Office of the Courts. Ms. Booth’s research experience in the area of children and families spans over 20 years and includes an array of quantitative and qualitative research projects focusing on issues such as adolescent coping, youth violence, child maltreatment prevention, prenatal substance abuse, child immunizations, parental mistrust of health systems, depression among urban black adults, culturally competent HIV-AIDS prevention strategies, and a host of other research topics. Ms. Booth’s current interests include father involvement and child access barriers.

In the policy arena, Ms. Booth’s efforts have centered on community empowerment and service delivery in the child welfare system. She is a member of Culture Works, an organization aimed at  improving social conditions in West Baltimore through the artistic expression of community residents. Her involvement in child welfare policy extends to national and local issues. While serving as coordinator of the People of Color Leadership Institute (POCLI), she oversaw a national demonstration project aimed at promoting and enhancing cultural competency in child welfare systems throughout the United States. And as a member of the Baltimore City Review Board for Children, she lobbied state officials for increased resources to support permanency planning for children in the foster care system.

Ms. Booth earned a Master of Science degree in developmental psychology from Howard University. Her undergraduate degree was obtained at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Before coming to the Ruth Young Center, she held positions at Howard University, Johns Hopkins University, and the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.