Susan Notkin

View Susan’s condensed bio here.

At CSSP

I direct CSSP’s overall programmatic direction with specific responsibility for our systems reform agenda and for promoting the policy and programmatic direction for our Young Children and their Families’ portfolio.  As part of this role I am responsible for identifying opportunities for cross-team collaboration both within the organization and in the field so that CSSP’s work takes advantage of the vast and varied expertise of our staff. I also lead our Youth Thrive Initiative which works to support youth-serving systems and agencies in applying advances in adolescent development to transform policies, training, and services so all young people have the opportunity to succeed.

I do this work because

I deeply believe that everything should be done to ensure that children, youth, and families receive the support they need within their own communities to realize their potential and so that they never need to enter child welfare or juvenile justice systems. For those who must interact with these agencies, I believe that it is society’s responsibility to help them receive the help they need not only to survive but to thrive.

I am most proud of

Our Youth Thrive work, which is helping change the narrative about, and the services, policies, practices, and outcomes for, young people involved in foster care, juvenile justice, and those who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness.

Work History

• Director of the Children’s Program, Edna McConnell Clark Foundation
• Section Chief, Bureau of Children, Youth and Families WI Department of Health and Social Services
• Co-Director, Client Advocacy Program, Division of Mental Health

Education and Awards

• M.S.S.W in Social Work, University of Wisconsin
• B.A., Hofstra University
• Recipient of the LEAD Award from Women in Philanthropy, for contributions advancing child welfare and domestic violence practice and policy

When the day is done

I love spending time with family and friends, traveling, and exercising.