Dr. Jamie Cage is an Associate Professor in the VCU School of Social Work. The overarching goal of Dr. Cage’s research is to contribute to the optimal development and overall well-being of youth involved with the child welfare system. She is, broadly, interested in understanding the risk and protective factors of psychosocial development, with the ultimate purpose of creating and implementing interventions that will foster optimal development and empower child welfare involved youth to reach their aspirations and full potential. Her current research focuses on the educational attainment and experiences of child welfare involved youth; with the goal of identifying educational pathways that promote healthy outcomes and adaptive functioning.