Adam McCormick, MSW, PhD is Professor of Social Work at St. Edward’s University in Austin and teaches courses on topics related to social work with families and childhood trauma. He has a number of research interests and speaks frequently on a number of topics including LGBTQI+ youth in the child welfare system, the trauma of family separation in child welfare, the weaponization of poverty in child welfare, the relationship rights of siblings in foster care, the intersections of child welfare and immigration, social work and moral injury, and masculinity and mental health. He is the author of the forthcoming book, The unfinished business of our childhood: Healing the child trauma wounds of helping professionals. Dr. McCormick is also the author of the book LGBTQ youth in the foster care system: Empowering approaches to an inclusive system of care.
PhD University of Texas at Arlington
MSSW University of Texas at Austin
BSW Lubbock Christian University
Active Grants
Project Investigator- Paso Del Norte Health Foundation. Assessing and addressing public stigma in child and adolescent serving agencies 2015-17 ($58,551).
Project Investigator- Paso Del Norte Health Foundation. Think. Change. Trauma informed Care 2017-18 ($146,400).
Previously Awarded Grants
Principal Investigator- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, Borderland Children’s Behavioral Health Workforce Initiative 2014-17 ($801,313).
Principal Investigator- Administration for Children and Families. Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Partnership, 2014-15 ($1,020,082).
Principal Investigator- Administration for Children and Families. Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Partnership, 2013-14 ($683, 645).
Principal Investigator- Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Youth Specialist Program, 2014- Present ($45,000).
Principal Investigator- University of Texas at El Paso, University Research Institute, 2013-14 ($2793). Understanding the impact of foster family acceptance and rejection on the lives of LGBTQ foster youth.
Publications
BOOKS
McCormick, A. (June 2018). LGBTQ Youth in the Child Welfare System: Empowering approaches to create an inclusive system. Routledge Press, New York, NY.
McCormick, A. & Scheyd, K. (Under Contract) Supporting LGBTQ youth in foster care: A guide for foster parents and professionals
BOOK CHAPTERS
Transgender youth in foster care: Creating an inclusive and affirming environment (2016). In Vaughn, M. Transgender youth: Perceptions, media influences, and social challenges. Nova Publishers.
McCormick, A. (2014). Fostering connections to success and increasing adoptions act. In Cousins, L. & Golson, J.G. Human Services and Diversity, Sage, Los Angeles, CA.
McCormick, A. (2014). Chafee foster care independence act. In Cousins, L. & Golson, J.G. Human Services and Diversity, Sage, Los Angeles, CA.
McCormick, A. (2014). Adoption and safe families act. In Cousins, L. & Golson, J.G. Human Services and Diversity, Sage, Los Angeles, CA.
Articles
PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
McCormick, A., Scheyd, K., Terrazas, S. (2018). Trauma informed care and LGBTQ youth: Conceptualizing an intervention framework to address the traumatic experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning youth. Families in Society, 99, 2, pp 60-69.
McCormick, A., Scheyd, K., Terrazas, S. (2017). LGBTQ youth and maltreatment. Journal of Family Strengths, 72, 2.
McCormick, A. & Baldridge, S. (In Revision). Family Acceptance and Christian Social Work Practice : Considerations for enhancing the acceptance experiences of LGBTQ youth. Special Issue of Journal of Social Work and Christianity.
Terrazas, S.T. & McCormick, A. (2018). Resiliency factors that mitigate against depression symptomology among Latino farmworkers. Hispanic Behavioral Sciences, 40, 1, p 57-72.
McCormick, A., Schmidt, K. & Clifton, E. (2015). Gay Straight Alliances: Understanding their role and impact on the academic experiences of LGBT students. Children in Schools, 37 (2), 65-128.
McCormick, A. (Accepted In Press). The sibling relationship in foster care: Understanding the long term impact of sibling separation. Journal of Contemporary Research.
McCormick, A., Schmidt, K. & Terrazas, S (2016) Foster family acceptance: Understanding the role of foster family acceptance for LGBTQ youth in care. Children and Youth Services Review. 61, 69-74.
McCormick, A. & Schmidt, K. (2017). LGBTQ youth in the child welfare system: An overview of research, practice and policy. Journal of Public Child Welfare.
Terrazas, S. & McCormick, A. (Under Review). Dream Project: A Trauma Informed Intervention in Southern Kenya Boarding Schools. International Journal of Social Research
McCormick, A. (2010). Siblings in Foster Care: An Overview of research practice and policy. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 4 (2), 198-218.
McCormick, A. (2008). The sibling relationship in foster care: A policy analysis of California Welfare and Institutions Code 16002. Illinois Journal of Child Welfare, 4 (1), 86-95.
Recent Editorials
#MeToo is an opportunity to engage boys in conversations about sexual harassment. Dallas Morning News 01/25/18
An opportunity engage boys in talks about sexual harassment. Austin American Statesman 01/24/18
Why we should talk about toxic masculinity and mass violence. Austin American Statesman 10/12/17
Gay and lesbian parents are an untapped resource for Texas foster youth. Dallas Morning News 4/7/17 & Houston Chronicle 4/23/17
Gay and lesbian parents can help foster youth awaiting families. Ft. Worth Star Telegram 4/8/17
Parental rights bill will keep LGBTQ youth in the closet. Texas Tribune 1/30/17
LGBTQ youth should be a top priority in CPS overhaul. Austin American Statesman 1/9/17; Dallas Morning News 12/28/16 ; Ft. Worth Star-Telegram 12/22/16; Houston Chronicle 12/26/17
Texas' faith based reforms could fail LGBTQ youth. Texas Tribune 11/30/16
Children's mental health must be a priority. El Paso Times 6/5/15
Presentations
RECENT PEER REVIEWED PRESENTATIONS
McCormick, A. (2018). Toxic Masculinity: Power, privilege and control. University of Texas at Austin Annual School Social Work Conference, Austin, TX.
McCormick, A. (2017). Trauma informed care with LGBTQ youth: Skills and strategies for empowering LGBTQ youth. Texas CASA Annual Conference, Galveston, TX.
McCormick, A. (2017). Conceptualizing an intervention framework to address traumatic stress in LGBTQ youth. NASW Tx Annual Conference, Galveston, TX
McCormick, A & Smith, C. (2017). LGBTQ youth in the child welfare system: Recognizing the critical role of family acceptance and affirmation. University of Texas at Austin Child Welfare Conference, Austin, TX.
Fostering acceptance of LGBTQ youth (2017). Third Annual Human Rights Campaign Time to Thrive Conference. Washington, DC.
Recognizing resilience and resourcefulness in the behaviors of traumatized students (2017). University of Texas at Austin Annual School Social Work Conference, Austin, TX
Empowering work with LGBTQ youth and their families (2016). Annual Conference of the National Association of Social Workers Texas. Arlington, TX
McCormick, A. Schmidt, K. Munoz, E., & Salas, C. (2015). Clinical skills for working with traumatized children and teens. National Association of Social Workers Texas Annual Conference, Galveston, TX
Schmidt, K. & McCormick, A. (2015). Improving practice with LGBTQ clients using objective standardized clinical experiences. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Denver, CO.
McCormick, A. & Schmidt, K. (2015). Foster family acceptance: Using research to improve students' competence with LGBTQ youth. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Denver, CO.
Schmidt, K. & McCormick, A. (2015) Sexual minority youth in foster care: Strategies for creating an inclusive system of care. National Association of Social Workers New Mexico Annual Conference.
McCormick, A. (2014) Sexual minority youth in the foster care system: Implications for practice, policy, and research. National Association of Social Workers Texas Annual Conference, San Marcos, TX.
McCormick, A. (2014) Identifying resilience and resourcefulness in traumatized youth. National Association of Social Workers Texas Annual Conference. San Marcos, TX.
McCormick, A. (2014). LGBTQ youth in foster care: Hearing their voices and advocating for change. National Association of Social Workers Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.
McCormick, A. (2014). Gay-Straight alliances: Are they really all that effective. Texas School Social Workers Annual Conference, Austin, TX
McCormick, A. (2014). That explains a lot: Identifying resilience, courage, and resourcefulness in traumatized youth. National Association of Social Workers New Mexico Annual Conference, Albuquerque, NM.
McCormick, A. (2014). Understanding the role of foster family acceptance on the social, academic and personal experiences of LGBTQ youth in foster care. The Society of Social Work and Research Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX
Terrazas, S. & McCormick, A. (2014) An examination of the dream sponsors program among rural Kenyan youth. 39th Annual National Institute for Social Work and Human Services in Rural Areas, Silver City, NM.
McCormick, A. (2013). Empowering interventions with traumatized children and youth. National Association of Social Workers Iowa Annual Conference. Des Moines, IA.
McCormick, A. (2012). Social and academic support for LGBT youth in schools: Understanding the role of gay straight alliances. Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting. Washington, D.C.
McCormick, A. (2012). Sexual orientation and child maltreatment: A comparative analysis of the maltreatment experiences of LGBT and straight youth. National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. Washington, DC
McCormick, A. (2012). Gay Straight Alliances: A qualitative analysis of their impact on the lives of LGBT youth. Society of Social Work and Research Annual Conference. Washington, DC
2014-Present INVITED PRESENTATIONS
McCormick, A. (2017). Ethical practice with transgender youth and young adults. Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children Annual SAFE Conference, Waco, TX.
McCormick, A. (2017). LGBTQ youth in the child welfare system. Austin LGBTQ Bar Association Annual CLE Training, Austin, TX.
McCormick, A. (2017). Toxic masculinity and gender based violence: Exploring the role of toxic masculinity in gender based violence. University of Texas at Arlington Annual Judith Birmingham Center for Child Welfare Workshop, Arlington, TX.
McCormick, A. (2017). Empowerment practice with LGBTQ youth and families: Skills and strategies for fostering acceptance. University of North Dakota Annual Child Welfare Conference, Grand Forks, ND.
McCormick, A. (2017). LGBTQ youth in the foster care system: Exploring the disproportionate overrepresentation of LGBTQ youth. Austin LGBTQ Bar Association, Austin, TX.
McCormick, A. (2017). Engaging Families: Skills and strategies for empowering families in public child welfare. University of Texas at Arlington Center for Child Welfare, Arlington, TX
McCormick, A. (2017). Pedagogical approaches to trauma informed care. El Paso Child Guidance Center Annual Workshop, El Paso, TX
McCormick, A. (2017). Clinical work with LGBTQ youth and families: Fostering acceptance and affirmation. El Paso Child Guidance Annual Workshop, El Paso, TX
Green, D., Scheyd, K. & McCormick, A. (2017). Caring for LGBTQ youth: An introduction for foster and adoptive parents. Human Rights Campaign All Children All Families Webinar.
McCormick (2016). Trauma informed child welfare practice: Empowering youth and families, University of Texas at Arlington Center for Child Welfare, Arlington, TX.
McCormick, A. & Schmidt, K. (2016). Empowering social work practice with LGBTQ clients. NASW Panhandle Branch Annual Conference, Amarillo, TX
McCormick, A. (2016). Trauma informed strengths based work with children and families in crises: Ethical considerations for helping professionals. University of Texas at El Paso School of Social Work, El Paso, TX
McCormick, A. (2016). The ties that bind: Understanding attachment and its impact on children and teens. University of Texas at El Paso Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Collaboration, El Paso, Tx
McCormick, A. (2015). The explains a lot: Recognizing resilience and resourcefulness in the behaviors of traumatized youth. Annual CARE Conference
Schmidt, K. & McCormick, A. (2015). LGBTQ youth in foster care: Exploring strategies to create an inclusive and affirming environment. Annual CARE Conference
McCormick, A (2015). Clinical skills in working with LGBTQ youth and their families. University of Texas at El Paso Department of Social Work Mental Health Workshop.
McCormick, A. (2015). Trauma informed child welfare practice: From assessment to effective treatment. University of Texas at El Paso Department of Social Work Mental Health Workshop.
McCormick, A. (2015). Secondary Traumatic stress and the child welfare professional. Texas State Parenthood Collaboration Conference.
McCormick, A. (2015). Creating safe spaces for LGBTQ clients. National Association of Social Workers South Plains Branch Annual Meeting, Lubbock, TX.
McCormick, A. (2015). Social work ethics and childhood trauma. Child Abuse and the Law Annual Conference, El Paso, TX.
McCormick, A. Terrazas, S., Lusk, M. & Moore, J. (2015)Empowering approaches to working with substance abusing teens. University of Texas at El Paso Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Partnership, El Paso, TX.
McCormick, A. (2014). Creating affirming environments of sexual minority youth in foster care. University of Texas at Arlington Center for Child Welfare, Arlington, TX.
McCormick, A & Schmidt, K. (2014). Foster family acceptance: Implications for practice and policy. Center for the Study of Social Policy.
McCormick A. & Schmidt, K. (2014). Creating safe and affirming placements for youth in foster care. University of Texas at El Paso, Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Partnership, El Paso, TX.
McCormick, A. (2014). Recognizing resilience: Empowering approaches to working with traumatized youth. New Mexico Family and Child Welfare Training Project, New Mexico State University, Albuquerque, NM.
Terrazes, S. & McCormick, A. (2014). Evidence based group intervention strategies. University of Texas at El Paso Continuing Education Workshop, El Paso, TX.
McCormick, A. (2014). Trauma informed interventions for foster parents. University of Texas at El Paso, Title IV-E Child Welfare Partnership Training, El Paso, TX
McCormick, A. (2014). Trauma informed child welfare practice for caseworkers. University of Texas at El Paso, Title IV-E Child Welfare Partnership Training. El Paso, TX.
McCormick, A. (2014). Sexual orientation and child maltreatment. Queer Leadership Summit, El Paso, TX.
RECENT KEYNOTES
McCormick, A. (2015). Empowering work with substance abusing adolescents. Annual Child Advocacy Conference, El Paso, TX.
McCormick, A. (2013). Understanding childhood trauma: What every School Social Worker should know. Keynote address at the Midwest School Social Work Association Annual Conference, Davenport, IA.