Kate Sweeney, MSW

Assistant Extension Professor

Innovations Institute

Kate Sweeney, MSW, is an Assistant Extension Professor and Co-Director of the Parent, Infant, Early Childhood team at Innovations Institute, University of Connecticut School of Social Work. In this role she leads program development, project oversight, workforce development, and policy work related to Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health efforts. Ms. Sweeney is a licensed clinician with extensive experience providing and supporting the implementation of evidence-based practices in a range of disciplines that work with families, including home visitors, educators, early intervention providers, and primary care as well as specialty care medical providers. Ms. Sweeney served as Principal Investigator and Project Director of two federally funded grants to address the needs of transition age youth in Baltimore city who are experiencing substance use disorder and parenting needs (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), a project to support and engage incarcerated caregivers and their families (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention), and provided technical assistance to child welfare teams on substance exposed newborn policy implementation. She is a National Trainer of the Fussy Baby Network and a member of the ZERO TO THREE Academy Fellows. She holds an MSW from the University of Maryland School of Social Work, where she focused on maternal and child mental health and a Bachelors in Political Science from George Washington University.

Research Interests

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
Early Childhood and Family Serving Systems
Early Intervention
Fatherhood Initiatives
Maternal Mental Health
Parent-Child Interaction
Trauma-Informed Care