Martha Henry Email and Phone Number

MJ Henry & Associates specializes in education and consultation services for individuals and organizations working to support children, youth and families, especially those who have experienced adversity. Led by Martha J. Henry, PhD, a Clark University trained developmental psychologist, we provide professional education and program evaluation in the areas of child welfare, foster care, adoption, and child and family behavioral health for organizations and public agencies of all sizes. . Dr. Henry brings over 20 years of experience working with and studying children and families, and her passion for translating evidence-based knowledge to everyday practice and policy development. She is the lead author of the book Adoption in The United States: A Reference for Families, Professionals, and Students, and has been a sought after expert for national media programs such as NBC’s The Today Show, Time Magazine, and New York Public Radio, where she consistently stresses the critical importance of informed decision making. MJ Henry & Associates serves professionals from all disciplines who transform the lives of children, families, and communities. From our unique medical education services that provide health care practitioners with pertinent knowledge and skills to support patients' family-building and decision-making needs to evidence-grounded and practice-based offerings for human service professionals, we are dedicated to translating the latest research to everyday practice approaches and informing researchers of the practice challenges faced by multiple child and family serving disciplines. It is our mission to offer practical solutions to the challenges faced by professionals at all levels of child and family serving systems.

The Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute is proud to announce that Martha J. Henry, Ph.D. – a respected and accomplished educator, trainer and author in the fields of adoption and foster care – is joining our staff as Education Director, effective immediately.The responsibilities of this new position will include oversight, management, research and outreach relating to a wide range of Institute initiatives, including professional trainings, website and newsletter content, and programs and projects such as Educate the Educators and Adoption in the Media. The Adoption Institute is the pre-eminent research, policy and education organization in its field. Its mission is to provide leadership that improves laws, policies and practices – through sound research, education and advocacy – in order to better the lives of everyone touched by adoption. To achieve its goals, the Institute conducts and synthesizes research; offers education to inform public opinion; promotes ethical practices and legal reforms, and works to translate policy into action. The Institute is nonpartisan, non-profit and independent of any constituency or cause.

* Administered high quality educational programs and consultation services for a variety of professionals resulting in enhanced practice with children and families.*Designed, developed, and administered statewide Mass CANS (Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths©) Training Program including training and certification of over 10,000 behavioral health providers*Pioneered novel CANS training and certification testing approach garnering national recognition for the University*Educated medical professionals about the unique health care considerations for people with adoption and foster care experiences*Managed program staff, ranging from 6-20 personnel to produce high quality services*Directed client needs assessments and relationship management*Facilitation of contact and communication with media and public relations activities to raise awareness and educate the public*Created and managed budgets up to 3 million dollars resulting in cost control and annual client savings

* Planned, developed, and managed education and training projects for Center related activities and clients* Co-principle investigator for 3-year federal training grant educating child welfare professionals supporting social workers with adolescent caseloads: Supervisory Training toEnhance Permanency Solutions (STEPS)*Designed and developed curricula for staff and family trainings for Massachusetts Department of Social Services resulting in enhanced practice with vulnerable children and families*Designed and developed curricula and trainings for a variety of professionals relative to working with child welfare, adoption and foster care populations resulting in more informed practice with children and families*Co-developer/lecturer of first and only medical school course at University of Massachusetts Medical School: Adoption and Foster Care: Considerations for Medical Practice*Developed and delivered trainings for medical student clerkships and medicine Grand Rounds presentations at University of Massachusetts Medical School*Directed strategic planning activities for education and training activities and Center organizational events*Spoke person for all media communications and public relations activities for any issue related to adoption and foster care*Managed 6-8 personnel producing high quality program development and delivery