Marcus Stallworth, LMSW, operates with a strength based, hands on approach. Spending close to 20 years providing Child Protective Services, he is recognized by the State of Connecticut as an expert witness for Superior Court for Juvenile Matters. He has spearheaded several initiatives to promote the engagement of Fathers, identify the dangers of social media, and raise the awareness for equity and inclusion. He has direct experience educating and supporting Human Trafficking and Sexually Exploited victims, including those in Foster Care. He played a leadership role in Connecticut’s Disaster Behavioral Health Response Network and oversaw recovery efforts in Newtown CT after the events on December 14, 2012. 

 

Marcus is also co-owner of Welcome 2 Reality, LLC which focuses on providing media literacy and education for students and parents regarding social media and technology. Stallworth and his team are credited for getting Public Act 17-67 passed into Connecticut law, mandating statewide standards be developed to ensure media literacy, internet safety, and digital citizenship are taught in all public schools. His advocacy provided him the opportunity to create a self-created elective entitled: Social Media: The Good, Bad, and the Ugly at the University of Bridgeport. He has also taught courses at Post University, the University of Connecticut, the University of South Florida, and currently teaches in the Graduate School of Social Work at Fordham University. He is also co-founder of Reality Based Services, Inc. and this non-profit organization educates teens how to use technology to create their own narrative in positive ways.

 

Marcus has spent the last several years working with the Child Welfare League of America and now serves as Director of Training and Implementation. This work has provided him the opportunity to assist child welfare agencies across the US and internationally with implementation strategies to achieve positive outcomes for children and families. He has published many articles regarding the importance of using strength-based language, how to support grieving children, and ways to reduce and prevent disruptions. He is also the content creator and published author of the Building Blocks for Effective Co-Parenting training curriculum. 

 

Marcus is Vice President of the Board of Directors for CT’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). He is a member of Media Literacy Now’s national advisory council, which provides advocacy and resources for educators, students, and parents. He is also a proud father of two, and recipient of the 100 Men of Color award in 2017.