Elizabeth Joanne Gifford

Elizabeth Joanne Gifford
Associate Research Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy

Beth Gifford is an associate research professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy. Gifford is leading the Social and Economic Component of the Children’s Health and Discovery Institute housed within the Duke School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics. She is currently serving as an Early Childhood Policy Fellow with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. She is also a Co-PI on two studies that examine the intergenerational effects of parental involvement in the criminal justice system, funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Her primary research interests involve evaluating programs and policies that are designed to improve outcomes for vulnerable children. These populations include children who live in low-income families, are in the juvenile justice system or in foster care, require special education or have emotional and or behavioral problems.

Current Research Interests

Child maltreatment
Children and the law
Education
Intergenerational effects of criminal justice policies

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Associate Research Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy, Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University 2020
Assistant Professor in Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Children's Health Discovery Institute, Pediatrics 2020
Core Faculty Member, Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke - Margolis Center For Health Policy, Initiatives 2019

Contact Information

214 Rubenstein Hall, 302 Towerview Rd., Durham, NC 27708
Duke University, Box 90545, Durham, NC 27708-0264
beth.gifford@duke.edu (919) 613-9294
Gifford CV 2020

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University 2005
- M.S., Pennsylvania State University 2000
- B.S., Cornell University 1997
Duke Appointment History
- Assistant Research Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy, Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University 2017 - 2020
- Director of Data Initiatives in the Center for Child and Family Policy, Center for Child and Family Policy, Sanford School of Public Policy 2017 - 2020
- Assistant Professor - Track V in Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Children's Health Discovery Institute, Pediatrics 2018 - 2020
Recognition
In the News
- APR 27, 2018 Duke Today
  
  Curiosity and Generosity Drive Presidential Award Winners
- NOV 6, 2017 Sanford School of Public Policy
  
  Five New Faculty Bring New Expertise to Sanford School
- OCT 17, 2017 ScienceDaily
  
  Cutting absenteeism in primary schools
- APR 21, 2017 CBS17.com
  
  New report highlights challenges facing Durham County's young children
- APR 21, 2017 Herald Sun
  
  Officials hope new report galvanizes community in support of young children
- NOV 13, 2013 The Network for Public Health Law
  
  Specialty Courts to Improve Public Health Outcomes
- MAY 2, 2008 The Herald-Sun, (DURHAM)
  
  Durham Drug Report May Serve as Template for Others
Awards & Honors
- 2017 Presidential Meritorious Award. Duke University. April 2018
Expertise
Subject Headings
- Child Abuse
- Education
Research
Selected Grants
- Local criminal justice reform efforts: Effects on employment, self-sufficiency, and family well-being awarded by Administration for Children and Families 2019 - 2024
- Reducing the Need for Out-of-home Placements: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Examine the Effects of Family Centered Treatment on Well-Being Outcomes and Public Dollar Costs awarded by Family Centered Treatment Foundation 2018 - 2023
- Early Identification and Prevention of Child Maltreatment: Cross-Agency Processes and Outcomes awarded by Duke Endowment 2019 - 2021
- Juvenile Delinquency and Adult Gun Sales: Comparative effectiveness of different minimum age standards for firearm purchase by adults with youthful crime records in North Carolina, Florida, and Virgin awarded by New Venture Fund 2018 - 2021
- IPA - Elizabeth Gifford awarded by Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center 2019 - 2021
- Juvenile Delinquency and Adult Gun Sales: Comparative effectiveness of different minimum age standards for firearm purchase by adults with youthful crime records in North Carolina, Florida, and Virginia awarded by Joyce Foundation 2018 - 2021
- The Intergeneration Effects of Criminal Justice Policies on Substance Use Crimes awarded by National Institutes of Health 2016 - 2020
- The Intergenerational Effects of the Criminal Justice System on Children's Health awarded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2016 - 2019
- Design a Randomized-Control Trial (RCT) of the Family Centered Treatment Intervention awarded by Family Centered Treatment Foundation 2016 - 2017
- Truancy Prevention Project awarded by Department of Education 2012 - 2016
- Effects of drug treatment courts on outcomes of adults and their children awarded by National Institutes of Health 2012 - 2016
- Durham Substance Use Report awarded by Durham Together for Resilient Youth 2015
- Reducing Child Maltreatment Using Legal Interventions awarded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2013 - 2015
- Public Health Law and Child Abuse Prevention awarded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2013
- Multilevel Modeling of Inpatient Care: Comorbid Youth awarded by National Institutes of Health 2006 - 2009
External Relationships
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Gifford, E. J., Vahey, J., Hauser, E. R., Sims, K., Efird, J. T., Dursa, E. K., … Provenzale, D. (2021). Gulf War illness in the Gulf War Era Cohort and Biorepository: The Kansas and centers for disease control definitions. Life Sciences, 119454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119454
    Full Text
  - Howard, J., Copeland, J. N., Gifford, E. J., Lawson, J., Bai, Y., Heilbron, N., & Maslow, G. (2021). Brief Report: Classifying Rates of Students with Autism and Intellectual Disability in North Carolina: Roles of Race and Economic Disadvantage. J Autism Dev Disord, 51(1), 307–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04527-y
    Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
  - Sorensen, L. C., Bushway, S. D., & Gifford, E. J. (2021). Getting Tough? The Effects of Discretionary Principal Discipline on Student Outcomes. Education Finance and Policy, 1–74. https://doi.org/10.1162/edfp_a_00341
    Full Text Link to Item
  - Wong, C. A., Ming, D., Maslow, G., & Gifford, E. J. (2020). Mitigating the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic Response on At-Risk Children. Pediatrics, 146(1). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-0973
    Full Text Link to Item
  - Gifford, E. J., Evans, K. E., Eldred Kozecke, L., & Sloan, F. A. (2020). Mothers and fathers in the criminal justice system and children's child protective services involvement. Child Abuse & Neglect, 101, 104306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104306
    Full Text
  - Gifford, E. J. (2019). How Incarceration Affects the Health of Communities and Families. North Carolina Medical Journal, 80(6), 372–375. https://doi.org/10.18043/ncm.80.6.372
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Rosen, D. L., Gifford, E. J., & Ashkin, E. A. (2019). Overwhelming Need, Insufficient Health Care for Justice-involved North Carolinians. North Carolina Medical Journal, 80(6), 339–343. https://doi.org/10.18043/ncm.80.6.339
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E. J., Eldred Kozecke, L., Golonka, M., Hill, S. N., Costello, E. J., Shanahan, L., & Copeland, W. E. (2019). Association of Parental Incarceration With Psychiatric and Functional Outcomes of Young Adults. Jama Netw Open, 2(8), e1910005. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.10005
    Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
  - Brown, M. C., Sims, K. J., Gifford, E. J., Goldstein, K. M., Johnson, M. R., Williams, C. D., & Provenzale, D. (2019). Gender-based Differences among 1990-1991 Gulf War Era Veterans: Demographics, Lifestyle Behaviors, and Health Conditions. Womens Health Issues, 29 Suppl 1, S47–S55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2019.04.004
    Full Text Link to Item
  - Hunt, C. M., Turner, M. J., Gifford, E. J., Britt, R. B., & Su, G. L. (2019). Identifying and Treating Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Fed Pract, 36(1), 20–29.
    Link to Item
  - Sloan, F. A., Gifford, E. J., Evans, K. E., & Kozecke, L. E. (2019). Does Having a Minor Child Affect Criminal Charges and Sanctions Imposed on Female Defendants? Women & Criminal Justice, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/08974454.2019.1688222
    Full Text
  - Patel, Y. A., Gifford, E. J., Glass, L. M., Turner, M. J., Han, B., Moylan, C. A., … Hunt, C. M. (2018). Correction to: Identifying Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Advanced Fibrosis in the Veterans Health Administration. Dig Dis Sci, 63(10), 2813–2814. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-018-5213-2
    Full Text Open Access Copy Link to Item
  - Eldred, L., & Gifford, E. J. (2018). Downstream effects of criminal justice involvement. Corrdocs, 21(2), 1–1.
    Open Access Copy Link to Item
  - Gifford, E. J., Eldred, L., & Sloan, F. (2018). Expanding the Role of Drug Treatment Courts to Prevent Child Maltreatment. Cw360, Criminal Justice Involvement of Families in Child Welfare(Spring).
    Link to Item
  - Patel, Y. A., Gifford, E. J., Glass, L. M., McNeil, R., Turner, M. J., Han, B., … Hunt, C. M. (2018). Risk factors for biopsy-proven advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the Veterans Health Administration. Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 47(2), 268–278. https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14411
    Full Text Link to Item
  - Cook, P. J., Dodge, K. A., Gifford, E. J., & Schulting, A. B. (2017). A new program to prevent primary school absenteeism: Results of a pilot study in five schools. Children and Youth Services Review, 82, 262–270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.09.017
    Full Text
  - Gifford, E. J., Eldred, L. M., Mccutchan, S. A., & Sloan, F. A. (2017). Prosecution, Conviction, and Deterrence in Child Maltreatment Cases. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 44(10), 1262–1280. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854817727795
    Full Text
  - Sloan, F. A., Gifford, E. J., Eldred, L. M., & McCutchan, S. A. (2016). Does the probability of DWI arrest fall following participation in DWI and hybrid drug treatment court programs? Accident; Analysis and Prevention, 97, 197–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2016.08.029
    Full Text
  - Eldred, L. M., Gifford, E. J., McCutchan, S. A., & Sloan, F. A. (2016). Factors predicting prosecution of child maltreatment cases. Children and Youth Services Review, 70, 201–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.09.025
    Full Text
  - Babinski, L. M., Corra, A. J., & Gifford, E. J. (2016). Evaluation of a Public Awareness Campaign to Prevent High School Dropout. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 37(4), 361–375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-016-0438-3
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E. J., Eldred, L. M., Evans, K. E., & Sloan, F. A. (2016). Criminally Involved Parents Who Misuse Substances and Children's Odds of Being Arrested as a Young Adult: Do Drug Treatment Courts Mitigate the Risk? Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(8), 2447–2457. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-016-0406-9
    Full Text
  - Gifford, E. J., Eldred, L. M., Sloan, F. A., & Evans, K. E. (2016). Parental Criminal Justice Involvement and Children's Involvement With Child Protective Services: Do Adult Drug Treatment Courts Prevent Child Maltreatment? Substance Use & Misuse, 51(2), 179–192. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2015.1089906
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Eldred, L. M., & Gifford, E. J. (2016). Empirical evidence on legal levers aimed at addressing child maltreatment. Children and Youth Services Review, 60, 11–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.11.014
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E. J., Sloan, F. A., Eldred, L. M., & Evans, K. E. (2015). Intergenerational effects of parental substance-related convictions and adult drug treatment court participation on children's school performance. The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 85(5), 452–468. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000087
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E. J., Wells, R. S., Bai, Y., & Malone, P. S. (2015). Is implementation fidelity associated with improved access to care in a school-based Child and Family Team model? Evaluation and Program Planning, 49, 41–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2014.11.005
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Lynne, E. G., Gifford, E. J., Evans, K. E., & Rosch, J. B. (2015). Barriers to reporting child maltreatment: do emergency medical services professionals fully understand their role as mandatory reporters? North Carolina Medical Journal, 76(1), 13–18.
    Open Access Copy
  - Wells, R., Gifford, E., Bai, Y., & Corra, A. (2015). A Network Perspective on Dropout Prevention in Two Cities. Educational Administration Quarterly, 51(1), 27–57. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X13511110
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E. J., Eldred, L. M., Vernerey, A., & Sloan, F. A. (2014). How does family drug treatment court participation affect child welfare outcomes? Child Abuse & Neglect, 38(10), 1659–1670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2014.03.010
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E. J., Eldred, L. M., McCutchan, S. A., & Sloan, F. A. (2014). The effects of participation level on recidivism: a study of drug treatment courts using propensity score matching. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 9, 40. https://doi.org/10.1186/1747-597x-9-40
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E. J., Eldred, L. M., McCutchan, S. A., & Sloan, F. A. (2014). The effects of participation level on recidivism: A study of drug treatment courts using propensity score matching. Substance Abuse: Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1747-597x-9-40
    Full Text
  - Skinner, A. T., Babinski, L. M., & Gifford, E. J. (2014). Teachers’ expectations and self-efficacy for working with bullies and victims. Psychology in the Schools, 51(1), 72–84. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.21735
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Wells, R., & Gifford, E. J. (2013). Implementing a case management initiative in high-need schools. Children and Youth Services Review, 35(5), 787–796. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.01.026
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Sloan, F. A., Gifford, E. J., Eldred, L. M., Acquah, K. F., & Blevins, C. E. (2013). Do specialty courts achieve better outcomes for children in foster care than general courts? Evaluation Review, 37(1), 3–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193841x13487536
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E. J., Wells, R., Bai, Y., Troop, T. O., Miller, S., & Babinski, L. M. (2010). Pairing nurses and social workers in schools: North Carolina's school-based Child and Family Support Teams. The Journal of School Health, 80(2), 104–107. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2009.00472.x
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E., & Foster, E. M. (2008). Provider-level effects on psychiatric inpatient length of stay for youth with mental health and substance abuse disorders. Medical Care, 46(3), 240–246. https://doi.org/10.1097/mlr.0b013e318158aee7
    Full Text Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E. J., & Foster, E. M. (2008). Provider-level effects on length of stay for youth with mental health and substance abuse disorders. Medical Care, 46, 240–246.
  - Gifford, E. J., Weech-Maldonado, R., & Short, P. F. (2005). Low-income children's preventive services use: implications of parents' Medicaid status. Health Care Financing Review, 26(4), 81–94.
    Open Access Copy
- Reports
  - Gifford, E., & Evans, Kelly, . (2013). Education Outcomes for Economically Disadvantaged Youth: A Look at 9th Graders. Center for Child and Family Policy.
    Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E., & Evans, Kelly, . (2012). Gender Disparities in Educational Expectations: A Look at 9th Graders. Center for Child and Family Policy.
    Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E., Evans, Kelly, ., Babinski, Leslie, ., & Foster, Audrey, . (2011). Participant Perspectives of the School Readiness Planning Process.
    Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E., Evans, Kellu, ., Berlin, Lisa, ., & Bai, Yu, . (2011). America’s Promise Alliance: 10 Indicators of Academic Achievement and Youth Success. America’s Promise Alliance: 10 Indicators of Academic Achievement and Youth Success.
    Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E., & Evans, Kelly, . (2011). America's Promise Alliance Dropout Prevention Summits: Mobilizing Action to Address the High School Dropout Crisis across the Nation. America’s Promise Alliance Dropout Prevention Summits: Mobilizing Action to Address the High School Dropout Crisis across the Nation (pp. 1–33).
    Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E., Evans, Kelly, ., Rosch, Joel, ., & Foster, Audrey, . (2010). Substance Use and Abuse in Durham County: The Partnership for a Healthy Durham Substance Abuse and Mental Health Committee.
    Open Access Copy
  - Wasilewski, Yvonne, ., Gifford, E., & Bonneau, Kara, . (2008). Evaluation of the School-wide Positive Behavioral Support Program in Eight North Carolina Elementary Schools. Evaluation of the School-wide Positive Behavioral Support Program in Eight North Carolina Elementary Schools. Center for Child and Family Policy.
    Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E., Foster, Audrey, ., & Rosch, Joel, . (2006). Substance Use and Abuse in Durham County: Healthy Durham Substance Abuse Subcommittee. Center for Child and Family Policy.
    Open Access Copy
  - Gifford, E., Evans, Kelly, ., Berlin, L.J., ., & Bai, Yu, . (n.d.). America's Promise Alliance: 10 Indicators of Academic Achievement and Youth Success. America’s Promise Alliance: 10 Indicators of Academic Achievement and Youth Success (pp. 1–10). Center for Child and Family Policy.
    Open Access Copy
Scholarly, Clinical, & Service Activities
Outreach & Engaged Scholarship
- Bass Connections Team Leader. North Carolina Early Childhood Action Plan: Evidence-based Policy Solutions. 2020 - 2021 2020 - 2021
- Bass Connections Team Leader. NC Early Childhood Action Plan: Achieving Goals with Innovative, Evidence-based Policy Solutions. 2019 - 2020 2019 - 2020

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Education, Training, & Certifications

Duke Appointment History

In the News

Awards & Honors

Subject Headings

Selected Grants

External Relationships

Selected Publications

Academic Articles

Reports

Outreach & Engaged Scholarship