Chapin Hall

Dr. Larry Small is a Policy Fellow at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago and licensed clinical psychologist with 20 years expertise in child welfare policy and practice. His work at Chapin Hall is in building the capacity of public and private child welfare agencies in various states and jurisdictions to advance the implementation and sustainability of evidence-informed policies and practices. Currently, Small is supporting leaders and systems in the State of Maryland Department of Human Services in their efforts to improve safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes through the implementation of an integrated and actionable systems improvement strategy. Specifically, Small has led Maryland through the development and implementation of an implementation governance structure and in their development and implementation of a trauma-responsive practice model. Dr. Small has also been working with Maryland leadership to enact clinical improvements to their contracting, practice, and CQI/monitoring of congregate care and residential treatment services.

Prior to coming to Chapin Hall, Small served as deputy director for the Division of Clinical Practice & Professional Development with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, where he was primarily responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing key clinical programs and child welfare initiatives. These included the Trauma-Informed Practice model, Integrated Assessment Program, Trauma Evidence-based Provider Credentialing Project, and the Office of Training. Small also served as project director for multiple state and federal grants, including a federal grant which used a trauma-focused psychoeducational model to reduce risk of long-term foster care.

Small holds a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and a BA in Music Therapy from DePaul University. He is licensed as a clinical psychologist in Illinois and Florida.