Brittany DiBella
BSW (Online) Program Director; Lecturer of Social Work;
Brittany, an Eastern University alumna, brings over 15 years of experience in higher education, child welfare, and domestic violence intervention. Her work has included direct practice with survivors of domestic violence and individuals who have caused harm, as well as consultation, professional training, and curriculum development for social workers and multidisciplinary professionals throughout the United States and internationally. She has partnered with child welfare agencies, family court systems, and community organizations to strengthen responses to domestic violence and coercive control.
While at the Rutgers Center on Violence Against Women & Children, Brittany contributed to research, program evaluation, and professional initiatives that advanced evidence-informed practice and systems collaboration. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to translating research into practice by equipping professionals, strengthening systems, and improving outcomes for children and families impacted by violence.
As an educator, Brittany is passionate about helping students connect classroom learning with real-world social work practice. She is committed to preparing future social workers to serve with competence, compassion, justice, and integrity while integrating professional excellence with a strong foundation of Christian faith.
Education
Master of Social Work (MSW), Rutgers University School of Social Work
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Eastern University
Classes Taught
- SWOK 481 Social Work Research
- SWOK 581 Social Work Research
- SWOK 642 Trauma Informed Research in Advanced Social Work Practice
- SWOK 671 Advanced Internship I
- SWOK 672 Advanced Internship II
Research Interests
Research interests include domestic violence and coercive control, child welfare practice, trauma-informed systems change, and faith community responses to domestic violence that promote safety, justice, healing, and accountability.
Select Publications
Working with Those Who Cause Harm. Professional training curriculum developed with Rutgers University REV for the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts, Child Support Division. (2024)
Understanding Perpetration. Professional training curriculum developed with Rutgers University REV for the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. (2023)
Uncovering Coercive Control: A Multimedia Tool for Professionals Who Work with Survivors. Co-authored professional educational resource with the Safe & Together Institute. (2021)
An Overview of Systems Collaboration Efforts to Address the Co-occurrence of Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment. Rutgers Center on Violence Against Women & Children. Report developed as part of the statewide evaluation of the New Jersey Domestic Violence Liaison Program. (2017)
Factors that Facilitate Successful Cross-System Collaboration. Rutgers Center on Violence Against Women & Children. Report developed as part of the statewide evaluation of the New Jersey Domestic Violence Liaison Program. (2016)
Domestic Violence and the Role of the Healthcare Provider: The Value of Educating on Assessment and Intervention Strategies. White paper presented at the United States Capitol. (2013)