John Lutzker
Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Founding Director MCCHD Health Policy & Behavioral Sciences- Education
Ph.D., University of Kansas, Developmental and Child Psychology
M.A., San Francisco State College, Developmental Psychology
B.A., San Francisco State College, Psychology
A.A., College of San Mateo
- Biography
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Public Health at Georgia State University, John Lutzker is a leading expert in child neglect and maltreatment prevention. Dr. Lutzker is also the former and founding director of the Mark Chaffin Center for Healthy Development. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas in Developmental and Child Psychology and has worked in a variety of settings including academia (University of the Pacific, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, American Jewish University, University of California, Irvine, Emory University) and the federal government (CDC as Distinguished Consultant and Chief, Prevention, Development and Evaluation Branch). Lutzker has authored more than 185 published articles, given more than 485 presentations nationally and internationally, written 9 books, and given interviews for NPR, ABC’s Good Morning America, and served as a consultant for 60 Minutes.
Lutzker is responsible for developing one of the few evidence-based child maltreatment and neglect prevention programs, SafeCare®, which is being implemented throughout the United States and internationally. The center’s mission is to promote the health, safety, well-being, and quality of life of children, adults, and families with and without disabilities through research, service, and advocacy.
Lutzker has taught courses in social and behavioral aspects of health and intervention and maternal and child health. The Mark Chaffin Center for Health Development houses the National SafeCare Training and Research Center, Center for Leadership in Disability and Prevent Child Abuse Georgia.
- Publications
Books
K. Guastaferro & Lutzker, J. R. (Eds.). (2018) A guide to programs for parenting children with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities: Evidence-based guidelines for professional. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
J.R. Lutzker, K. Guastaferro, & M.L. Benka-Coker (Eds.) (2016). Maltreatment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Washington, DC: A.A.I.D.D.
Lutzker, J. R. (2012). In J.R. Lutzker & J. Merrick (Ed.), Applied public health: Examining multifaceted social/ ecological problems and child maltreatment.. New York: Nova.
Whitaker DJ, Crimmins D, Edwards AE, & Lutzker, JR. (2009). Safety training and violence prevention using the SafeCare parent training model. In W. O’Donohue & J. E. Fisher (Eds). General principles and empirically supported techniques of cognitive behavior therapy (pp. 571 – 575). New York: John Wiley.
Whitaker DJ, Crimmins D, Edwards AE, & Lutzker, JR. (2008). Safety training/violence prevention using the SafeCare parent training model. In W. O’Donohue & J. E. Fisher (Eds). Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Applying empirically supported techniques in your practice. (pp. 473 – 477). New York: John Wiley.
Book Chapters
Book, Chapter in Scholarly Book-New (Published)
Edwards-Gaura, A. M., Whitaker, D. J., Lutzker, J. R., Self, S. R., Lewis, E. Programs and Interventions for maltreated children and families at risk: clinician’s guide t evidence-based practice. In A Rubin (Ed.), SafeCare: Application of an Evidence-based Program to Prevent Child Maltretatment.. New York:Wiley.
Book, Chapter in Scholarly Book-New (Published)
Crimmins, D. B., VanRie, V., Lutzker, J. R. (2012). Bringing social competence interventions to scale in ASD: our next challenge. In P.F. Gerhardt & D. Crimmins (Ed.), Social skills and adaptive behavior in learners with autism spectrum disorders: Current status and future directions.. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.
Lutzker, J. R., Chaffin, M. (2012). Safecare®: An evidence-based constantly dynamic model to prevent child maltreatment. In H. Dubowitz (Ed.), Safecare®: An evidence-based constantly dynamic model to prevent child Maltreatment. (10th ed., pp. 93-96). Canberra, Australia: The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.
Edwards-Gaura, A., Whitaker, D. J., Lutzker, J. R., Self, S. R., Lewis, E. (2011). SafeCare: Application of an evidence-based program to prevent child maltreatment. In A. Rubin (Ed.), A clinician’s guide to evidence-based practice. (pp. 259-272). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Guastaferro, K.M., Lutzker, J.R., and Graham, M.L. (In press). Using a technological augmentation to enhance parent-infant interactions with parents at risk. Child & Family Behavior Therapy.
Guastaferro , K., Miller, K., Lai, B. S., Shanley, J., Kemner, A., Whitaker, D. J., Lutzker, J.R. (2019). Modification to a systematically braided parent-support curriculum: results from a feasibility study. Journal of child and family studies, 7, 1780-1789.
Guastaferro, K., Self-Brown, S., Shanley, J. R., Whitaker, D. J., & Lutzker, J. R. (in press). Engagement in home visiting: An overview of the problems and how a coalition of researchers worked to address this cross-model concern. Journal of Child and Family Studies.
Guastaferro, K., Miller, K., Shanley, J., Whitaker, D. J., & Lutzker, J. R. (2019). Modification of a systematically braided parent-support curriculum: Results from a feasibility study. Journal of Child and Family Studies.
Guastaferro, K. & Lutzker, J. R. (2018). Introduction. In K. Guastaferro & J. Lutzker (Eds.). (2018). A guide to programs for parenting children with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities: Evidence-based guidance for professionals. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing.
Guastaferro, K., Lai, B.S., Shanley-Chatham, J., Whitaker, D.J., Self-Brown, S., Kemmer, A., & Lutzker, J.R. (2018). Braiding two evidence-based programs for families at risk: Results of a cluster randomized trial. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27, 535- 546.
Guinn, A.S., Lutzker, J.R., & Chaffin, M. (2018). SafeCare, the case for parent-infant language training. In P. Leach (Ed.) Transforming infant wellbeing: Research, policy, and practice for first 1001 critical days. Routledge: New York.
Lutzker, J.R., McGill, T., Whitaker, D.J., & Self-Brown, S. (2017). SafeCare®: Preventing Child Neglect through Scaling-up and Examining Implementation Issues of an Evidence-based Practice. In R. Alexander (Ed.), Research and Practices in Child Maltreatment Prevention (2,2): Societal, Organizational, and International Approaches. (pp. 243 – 258). St. Louis: STM Learning.
Guastaferro, K., Miller, K., Lutzker, J.R., Whitaker, D.J., Lai, B.S., Shanley Chatham, J., & Kemner, A. (2017). Implementing a Braided Home-based Parent Support Curriculum: Lessons Learned. Psychosocial Intervention, 27, 171-187.
Guastaferro, K., & Lutzker, J.R. (2017). Getting the most juice for the squeeze: Where SafeCare and Other Evidence- based programs need to evolve to better protect children. In D.M. Teti (Ed.), Parenting and family processes in child maltreatment and 49 intervention. Springer: Cham, Switzerland.
Guastaferro, K., Miller, K., Shanley Chatham, J.R., Whitaker, D.J., McGilly, K., & Lutzker, J.R. (2017). Systematic braiding of two evidence-based parent training programs: Qualitative results from the Pilot Phase. Family and Community Health, 40(1), 88-97.
Guastaferro, K., Benka-Coker, M.L., & Lutzker, J.R. (2016). A story of mothers with IDD: Relationships and social networks. In J.R. Lutzker, K. Guastaferro, & M.L., Benka-Coker, Maltreatment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (pp. 188—208) AAIDD: Washington, DC.
Guastaferro, K., Lutzker, J.R., & Benka-Coker, M.L. (2016). Introduction in K. Guastaferro, J.R. Lutzker, & M.L. Benka-Coker (2016). Maltreatment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (pp. 1-8). AAIDD: Washington, DC.
Walsh, J.H. Lutzker, J.R., Guastaferro, K.M., & Whitaker, D.J. (2016). A preliminary analysis of the relationship between hazards in the home and the potential for abuse with families at risk. 9(3) 00-00, International Journal of Child and Adolescent Health.
Rostad, W.L., Lutzker, J.R., & Guastaferro, K.M. (2016). Practices Targeting Child Neglect: The use of SafeCare® to enhance parenting skills to reduce neglect. In R. Gardner (Ed.) Tackling child neglect: Research, policy and evidence-based practice. (pp. 278 - 309). London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Lutzker, J.R., & Bonner, B.L. (2016). In Memorium: Mark Chaffin (1952 – 2015). American Psychologist, 71, (3), 247.
Prinz, J. Sanders, M.R., Shapiro, C.J., Whitaker, D.J., & Lutzker, J.R. Addendum to “Population-based prevention of child maltreatment: The U.S. Triple P system population trial.” (2016) Prevention Science, 17, 410-416.
Lutzker, J.R. & Casillas, K.L. (2016). Editorial. The importance of examining variants of implementation among evidence-based and promising programs to prevent child maltreatment. Child Abuse and Neglect: the International Journal, 53, 1-146.
Lutzker, J.R. & Casillas, K.L. (2016). Editorial. The importance of examining variants of implementation among evidence-based and promising programs to prevent child maltreatment. Child Abuse and Neglect: the International Journal, 53, 1-146.
Prinz, J. Sanders, M.R., Shapiro, C.J., Whitaker, D.J., & Lutzker, J.R. Addendum to “Population-based prevention of child maltreatment: The U.S. Triple P system population trial.” (2016) Prevention Science, 17, 410-416.
Lutzker, J.R., & Bonner, B.L. (2016). In Memorium: Mark Chaffin (1952 – 2015). American Psychologist, 71, (3), 247.
Rostad, W.L., Lutzker, J.R., & Guastaferro, K.M. (2016). Practices Targeting Child Neglect: The use of SafeCare® to enhance parenting skills to reduce neglect. In R. Gardner (Ed.) Tackling child neglect: Research, policy and evidence-based practice. (pp. 278 - 309). London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Walsh, J.H. Lutzker, J.R., Guastaferro, K.M., & Whitaker, D.J. (2016). A preliminary analysis of the relationship between hazards in the home and the potential for abuse with families at risk. 9(3) 00-00, International Journal of Child and Adolescent Health.
Guastaferro, K., Lutzker, J.R., & Benka-Coker, M.L. (2016). Introduction in K. Guastaferro, J.R. Lutzker, & M.L. Benka-Coker (2016). Maltreatment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (pp. 1-8). AAIDD: Washington, DC.
Guastaferro, K., Benka-Coker, M.L., & Lutzker, J.R. (2016). A story of mothers with IDD: Relationships and social networks. In J.R. Lutzker, K. Guastaferro, & M.L., Benka-Coker, Maltreatment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. (pp. 188—208) AAIDD: Washington, DC.
Guastaferro, K., Miller, K., Shanley Chatham, J.R., Whitaker, D.J., McGilly, K., & Lutzker, J.R. (2017). Systematic braiding of two evidence-based parent training programs: Qualitative results from the Pilot Phase. Family and Community Health, 40(1), 88-97.
Guastaferro, K., & Lutzker, J.R. (2017). Getting the most juice for the squeeze: Where SafeCare and Other Evidence- based programs need to evolve to better protect children. In D.M. Teti (Ed.), Parenting and family processes in child maltreatment and 49 intervention. Springer: Cham, Switzerland.
Guastaferro, K., Miller, K., Lutzker, J.R., Whitaker, D.J., Lai, B.S., Shanley Chatham, J., & Kemner, A. (2017). Implementing a Braided Home-based Parent Support Curriculum: Lessons Learned. Psychosocial Intervention, 27, 171-187.
Lutzker, J.R., McGill, T., Whitaker, D.J., & Self-Brown, S. (2017). SafeCare®: Preventing Child Neglect through Scaling-up and Examining Implementation Issues of an Evidence-based Practice. In R. Alexander (Ed.), Research and Practices in Child Maltreatment Prevention (2,2): Societal, Organizational, and International Approaches. (pp. 243 – 258). St. Louis: STM Learning.
Guinn, A.S., Lutzker, J.R., & Chaffin, M. (2018). SafeCare, the case for parent-infant language training. In P. Leach (Ed.) Transforming infant wellbeing: Research, policy, and practice for first 1001 critical days. Routledge: New York.
Guastaferro, K., Lai, B.S., Shanley-Chatham, J., Whitaker, D.J., Self-Brown, S., Kemmer, A., & Lutzker, J.R. (2018). Braiding two evidence-based programs for families at risk: Results of a cluster randomized trial. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27, 535- 546.
Guastaferro, K. & Lutzker, J. R. (2018). Introduction. In K. Guastaferro & J. Lutzker (Eds.). (2018).A guide to programs for parenting children with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities or developmental disabilities: Evidence-based guidance for professionals. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishing.
Guastaferro, K., Miller, K., Shanley, J., Whitaker, D. J., & Lutzker, J. R. (2019). Modification of a systematically braided parent-support curriculum: Results from a feasibility study. Journal of Child and Family Studies.
Guastaferro, K., Self-Brown, S., Shanley, J. R., Whitaker, D. J., & Lutzker, J. R. (in press). Engagement in home visiting: An overview of the problems and how a coalition of researchers worked to address this cross model concern. Journal of Child and Family Studies.
Guastaferro , K., Miller, K., Lai, B. S., Shanley, J., Kemner, A., Whitaker, D. J., Lutzker, J.R. (2019). Modification to a systematically braided parent-support curriculum: results from a feasibility study. Journal of child and family studies, 7, 1780-1789. Guastaferro, K.M., Lutzker, J.R., and Graham, M.L. (In press). Using a technological augmentation to enhance parent-infant interactions with parents at risk. Child & Family Behavior Therapy.
Morales, Y., Lutzker, J.R., Shanley, J.R., Guastaferro, K.M. (2015). Parent-infant interaction training with a Latino mother. International Journal of Health and Human Development, 8(2), 135-145.
Whitaker, D.J.,Rogers-Brown, J.S., Cowart-Osborne, M., Self-Brown, S., & Lutzker,J.R. (2015). Public child welfare staff, knowledge, attitudes, and referral behaviors for an evidence-based program. Psychosocial Intervention, 24, 89-95.
Self-Brown, S., McFry, E., Montesanti, A., Edwards-Gaura, A., Lutzker, J., Shanley, J., & Whitaker,D. (2014) SafeCare: A Prevention and Intervention Program for Child Neglect and Physical Abuse. In R.M. Reece, R.F. Hanson & J. Sargent (Eds.) Treatment of child abuse: Common ground for mental health, medical and legal practitioners,2nd ed.(pp. 50-58). Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press.
Strong, L., Lutzker, J.R., Jabaley, J.J., Shanley, J.R., Self-Brown, S., Guastaferro, K.M. (2014). Training mothers recovering from substance abuse to identify and treat their children’s illnesses. International Journal of Health and Human Development, 7(2), 156-166.
Shanley,J.R., Graham,M.L., Lutzker,J.R.,Edwards-Gaura, A., Whitaker, D.J., & Self-Brown, S. (2013). Lessons learned from national and international implementations of SafeCare® International Public Health Journal, 5 (1): 31-38.
Guastaferro, K.M., Lutzker, J.R., Jabaley, J.J., Shanley, J.R., & Crimmins, D.B. (2013). Teaching young mothers to identify developmental milestones. International Journal of Child Health and Human Development,6 (2): 223-233. Adapted and reprinted in: J. Merrick, S. Apler, & M. Morad (Eds.). Disability and Chronic Disease,(pp. 9-37): New York: Nova.
Self-Brown,S., McFry, E., Montesanti, A., Edwards-Gaura, A., Lutzker, J., Shanley, J., & Whitaker,D.(in press) SafeCare: A Prevention and Intervention Program for Child Neglect and Physical Abuse. In R.M. Reece, R.F. Hanson & J. Sargent(Eds.) Treatment of child abuse:Common ground for mental health, medical and legal practitioners,2nd ed. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press.
Strong, L., Lutzker, J.R., Jabaley, J.J., Shanley, J.R., Self-Brown, S., & Guasatferro, K.M. (in press). Training mothers recovering from substance abuse to identify and treat their children’s illnesses. International Journal of Child Health and Human Development.
Lutzker,J.R.,Guastaferro, K.,& Whitaker, D.J.(in press). Invited Editorial. More work to protect children but promising trend data on exposure to violence. Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics.
Morales, Y., Lutzker, J.R., Shanley, J.R., & Guastaferro, K.M. (in press). Parent-infant interaction training with a Latino mother. International Journal of Child Health and Human Development.