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Baker Collins Stephanie, Professor Emeritus

photo of Stephanie Baker Collins

Stephanie Baker Collins

Professor Emeritus

Emeritus Faculty
School of Social Work

Area(s) of Interest:

Biography

Research & Supervisory Interests

My research is conducted in partnership with community organizations and focuses on the impact of public policy on the lives of the marginalized groups, including those who experience poverty and/or homelessness.  For example, a current project examines the concept of bureaucratic discretion from the perspective of Ontario Works case managers and I have also engaged in research with Ontario Works recipients.  Currently I am a co-investigator on a SSHRC Partnership Development Grant exploring the intersection of homelessness and intellectual/developmental disability, education and employment among youth.  Participatory research methods are also part of my research interests and I seek to connect my research work to advocacy for justice in public policy. 

 

Education

  • PhD, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto (2002)
  • MA, Social Welfare Policy, School of Social Work, McMaster University (1988)
  • BA, Sociology and Political Science, Calvin College, Michigan, USA (1977)

Teaching

Recent Graduate Supervision

Masters - Theses

2019

Housing Rights Are Human Rights: Assessing the Potential for Progressive Policy Shifts in Canada’s Housing System through the Right to Housing and the National Housing Strategy.

2018

The Experience of Homeless Youth with Learning/Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities in an Ontario School System from an Interpretive and Critical Approach

2017
Assessing Students' 'Readiness for Practice': Field Instructors' Experiences and Perspectives
2016
The Impact of Precarious Employment on Social Work Skill Engagement and Career Satisfaction for Women
The Stories Statistics Tell: An Ethnographic Exploration of Homeless Shelters' Performance Measurements
2015
Revisiting a Community Health Centre Movement
A Lot to Learn: Internationally-Trained Social Workers Repeating Graduate Degrees at Ontario Universities 
2014
Food Banks, Food Drives, and Food Insecurity: The Social Canstruction® of Hunger
Why Immigrants Want to Leave Canada: The Struggle of Canadian University Graduate Immigrants in the Labour Market
The Reentry of Young Offenders: A Look at Successful Integration
2013
Exploring the Role and Significance of Religion/Spirituality in the Immigration Experience of Romanian Evangelicals: A Critical Realist Perspective
2012
Neoliberalism and Case Managers' Tools at a Federal Public Service Agency
A Critical Analysis of Ontario's Crown Ward Review
2011
Re-Conceptualizing Inclusive Citizen Participation in a Large Urban City
A Critical Analysis of Child Poverty Reduction Advocacy
2010
Co-Sleeping and Bed-Sharing: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Courses Taught

Undergraduate 

  • SOC WORK 3T03 Poverty and Homelessness
  • SOC WORK 4G03 Poverty and Homelessness
  • SOC WORK 4GG3 Poverty and Homelessness

Graduate

  • SOC WORK 701 Social Policy: Critical Frameworks
  • SOC WORK 703 Policy Making Process 
  • SOC WORK 722 Topics in Advanced Social Work: Critical Approaches to Evidence and Evaluation in Social Services and Communities
  • SOC WORK 738 Research Methods for Social Work
  • SOC WORK 739 Critical Approaches to Social Work Knowledge and Research Methods
  • SOC WORK 743 Critical Approaches to Evidence and Evaluation in Social Services and Communities
  • SOC WORK 770 Social Work and Social Justice: Theoretical Tensions
  • SOC WORK 771 Research for Social Change

Research

Selected Publications

Books

Neysmith, S., Reitsma-Street, M., Baker Collins, S., Porter, E. (2012).  Beyond Caring Labour to Provisioning Work, University of Toronto Press.

Book Chapters

Baker Collins, S. (2013).  Childhood Stress and Mobility among Rural Homeless Youth in S. Gaetz, J. Karabanow & B. O’Grady (Eds.) Youth Homelessness in Canada: A Reader. Pp. 53-74. Toronto: Canadian Homeless Research Network.

Neysmith, S. M., Reitsma-Street, M., Baker Collins, S., & Porter, E. (2009).  “Women Need a Provident State”  In Jane Pulkingham and Marjory Cohen (eds) Public Policy for Women:  The State, Income Security and Labour Market Issues., pp. 94-113. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

Journal Articles

Baker Collins, S., Smith-Carrier, T., Gazco, A., & Smith, C. (2020). Resisting the Culture of Poverty Narrative: Perspectives of social assistance recipients. Journal of Poverty 24(1), 72-93.

Gazco, A., Baker Collins, S., Smith-Carrier, T. & Wilson, C. (2019). The Generationing of Social Assistance Receipt and "Welfare Dependency" in Ontario, Canada, Social Problems. Online Publication: doi: 10.1093/socpro/spz032

Wilson, C., Smith-Carrier, T., Gazso, A., Baker Collins, S., & Saxby, C. (2019). The Relationship Between Child Maltreatment and Social Assistance Use: A Chain of Adversities and Transitions from a Life Course Perspective. Journal of Public Child Welfare. 13(5), 556-577.

Smith-Carrier, T., Gazso, A., Baker Collins, S., & Wilson, C. (2019). Myth or Reality? Exploring Intergenerational Social Assistance Participation in Ontario, Canada. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare 46(1), 113-137.

Baker Collins, S. & Cranmer-Byng, S. (2018). “THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE”: Moral Distress in the implementation of Ontario Works. Canadian Social Work Review 35 (2), 5-24.

Baker Collins, S., Fudge Schormans, A., Watt, L., Idems, B. & Wilson, T. (2018). The invisibility of disability for homeless youth, Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless 27(2), 99-109.

Pennisi, S. & Baker Collins, S. (2017) Workfare Under Ontario Works: Making Sense of Jobless Work. Social Policy and Administration 51(7), 1311-1329.

Pennisi, S. & Baker Collins, S. (2016). Workfare Under Ontario Works: Making Sense of Jobless Work. Social Policy and Administration. DOI 10.1111/spol.12271

Baker Collins, S. (2016). Value Discretion in a People-Changing Environment: Taking the Long View. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare 43(2), 8911010.1111/spol.12271

Baker Collins, S. (2015). The space in the rules: Bureaucratic discretion in the administration of Ontario Works. Social Policy and Society, available on CJO2015. doi:10.1017/S1474746415000251

Baker Collins, S. (2013). From Homeless Teen to Chronically Homeless Adult: A Qualitative Study of the Impact of Childhood Events on Adult Homelessness.  Critical Social Work 14(2), 61-81.

Baker Collins, S., Reitsma-Street, M., Porter, E. & Neysmith, S. (2011). “Women’s Community Work Challenges Market Citizenship.” Community Development 42(3), 297-313. 

Neysmith, S., Reitsma-Street, M., Baker Collins, S., Porter, E., Tam, S. (2010). “Provisioning Responsibilities: How Relationships Shape the Work that Women Do.” Canadian Review of Sociology 47(2), 149-170.

Porter, E., Neysmith, S., Reitsma-Street, M., Baker Collins, S.  (2009)  “Reciprocal Peer Interviewing.” International Review of Qualitative Research 2(2), 291-312.

Baker Collins, S., Neysmith, S., Porter, E., & Reitsma-Street, M. (2009).  “Women’s Provisioning Work: Counting the Cost for Women Living on Low Income.”  Community Work & Family 12(1), 21-37.

Journal Abstracts

Fudge Schormans, A., Baker-Collins, S., Wilson, T., Watts, L., & Idems, B. (2016). Intersections between disability, education, employment and homelessness for youth: Challenges and impacts. Congress Abstracts, Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 60 (7&8), p. 668. 

Recent Presentations at Meetings

Invited

2019

Fudge Schormans, A., Baker Collins, S., Allan, H. Allen, O.N., Henderson, T., Kuri, E., “Overlooked Youth: Homelessness & Disability in Ableist Systems” Forum Theatre Performance, CIBC Hall, McMaster University, November 13, 2019.

Baker Collins, S. Poverty and Homelessness: Frames and Their Consequences. Presentation at the Haldimand Norfolk Social Services and Housing Staff Training Day. April 16, 2019. Hagersville, Ontario.

2018

Baker Collins, S., Fudge Schormans, A., Taha, R. Partnering for Change: Mapping Connections between Disability, Employment and Education among Young People with ID/DD/LD who have experienced Homelessness. Poster Presentation at the School of Social Work 50th Anniversary Celebration, McMaster University, November 9-10, 2018.

Fudge Schormans, A., Baker-Collins, S., Watt, L., Allen, O., Allan, H., Henderson, T. Re-imagining Our Responses to Homeless Youth with Disabilities. Theatre performance (by A. Fudge Schormans, L. Watt, O. Allen, H. Allan & T. Henderson) at the Coming Up Together Conference: Towards Ending and Preventing Youth Homelessness in Ontario, Canada and Beyond, February 20-22, 2018, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Fudge Schormans, A., Baker-Collins, S., Watt, L., Allen, O., Allan, H., Henderson, T. Overlooked Youth: Homelessness and Disability in Ableist Systems. Community workshop presentation (by A. Fudge Schormans, L. Watt, O. Allen, H. Allan & T. Henderson) at McMaster Centre for Continuing Education, January 16, 2018, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

2016

Fudge Schormans, A., Baker Collins, S., Stewart, K., Allen, D. O., Gray, N., & Watt, L. Ignoring Intersections Between Disability and Homelessness for Youth. An oral presentation (by A. Fudge Schormans, D. O. Allen, N. Gray, and L. Watt) at the 9th Annual Southern Network of Specialized Care Research Forum, September 19, 2016. Woodstock, Ontario, Canada.

2015

S. Baker Collins, L. Lohfeld, & D. Heidebrecht. (2015). Leaders in Community Research: A mentorship event.  ICE (Initiative for Community Engagement) McMaster, McMaster University, November 9, 2015.

2011

S. Baker Collins, S. Gaetz, S. Ray & N. Falvo. (2011). Homelessness Research Panel Presentation at the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association Conference, October 30, 2011, Niagara Falls, Ontario. 

S. Baker Collins, R. Gray, E. Zimmerman. (2011). Transitions in Youth Homelessness.  Social Assistance Reform Network Niagara Annual Public Panel, April 21, 2011. Regional Municipality of Niagara Headquarters, Thorold, ON. 

S. Baker Collins. (2011). Sofas, Shelters and Strangers: Youth Homelessness in Niagara. Presentation to the Canadian Federation of University Women, St. Catharines. St. John’s Ukranian Church, January 11, 2011.

2010

S. Baker Collins. (2010). Sofas, Shelters and Strangers: Youth Homelessness in Niagara. Presentation to the Youth Without Secure Housing Committee and Shelter Providers, Regional Municipality of Niagara, October 13, 2010, Regional Headquarters, Thorold, ON.

S. Baker Collins. (2010). Sofas, Shelters and Strangers: Youth Homelessness in Niagara. Presentation to Ontario Municipal Social Services Association, Housing and Homelessness Conference, Toronto, September 21, 2010.

S. Baker Collins. (2010). Getting Your Organization Ready.  Presentation to Leadership Academy in Program Evaluation, Canadian Homelessness Research Network, June 23, 2010, York University, Toronto. ON.

S. Baker Collins, & E. Masswohl.  (2010). Naming Homelessness. Presentation to the 2010 Niagara Social Justice Forum, March 20, 2010, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON.

J. VanderWoerd & S. Baker Collins. (2010). Good News for the Poor? Faith and Social Justice Conference, January 23, 2010 Redeemer University College. Ancaster, ON.

Peer-Reviewed

2019

Baker Collins, S. & Fudge Schormans, A. (November, 2019) Systems prevention for youth with a disability who experience homelessness. 2019 Conference on Ending Homelessness in Canada. Edmonton, Alberta.

Fudge Schormans, A., & Baker Collins, S. (August, 2019). Re-imagining schools as sites to address experiences of homelessness for youth labeled/with intellectual disabilities: A ‘Partnering for Change’ Forum Theatre Interactive Presentation and Facilitated Discussion. Roundtable presentation at the 16th World Congress of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD), Glasgow, Scotland.

Baker Collins, S. Smith-Carrier, T., & Smith, C. (April, 2019). Resisting the Culture of Poverty Narrative: Perspectives of Social Assistance Recipients. Social Justice: Valuing Difference, Pursuing Equity, and Finding Space for Solidarity. 6th Annual Learning Institute Global Well-Being and Social Change Conference, Millersville University, Millersville, PA, April 24-26, 2019.

2018

Fudge Schormans, A., Baker Collins, S., Gray, N., Allan, H., Henderson, T., Allen, D.O.; Horan-Laroche, K. (October, 2018). Re-imagining Schools as Sites to Address Disabled Youth’s Experiences of Homelessness: A Forum Theatre Workshop. Youth Rex Research and Evaluation Exchange: A Provincial Knowledge to Action Exchange. York University, October 24-26, 2018.

Baker Collins, S., Fudge Schormans, A., Watt, L., Idems, B. & Wilson, T. (April, 2018). Where Disability and Homelessness Meet: Mapping an Intersection of Vulnerability and Disjuncture. European Social Work Research Association Conference, April 18-20, 2018, Edinburgh, Scotland.

2017

Baker Collins, S., Fudge Schormans, A., Watt, L., Wilson, T. & Idems, B. (October, 2017). The Invisibility of Disability for Homeless Youth. The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness Conference 2017, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Watt, L., Wilson, T., Baker-Collins, S., Fudge Schormans, A., & Idems, B. Poetry that breathes: Destabilizing managerial discourse in social work practice. Oral presentation (by L. Watt & T. Wilson) at the Canadian Association of Social Work Education conference, May 29-June 1, 2017. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Idems, B., Fudge Schormans, A., Baker-Collins, S., Watt, L., & Wilson, T. “Go talk to the DSO”: Mapping the intersectoral limits of recognition, services, and advocacy for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Oral presentation (by B. Idems & A. Fudge Schormans) at the Canadian Association of Social Work Education conference, May 29-June 1, 2017. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Baker-Collins, S., Fudge Schormans, A., Watt, L., Idems, B., & Wilson, T. Getting Lost in the Gaps:  Youth Homelessness and Disability. Oral presentation (by S. Baker-Collins) at the Society for Socialist Studies conference, May 30-June 2, 2017. Toronto, Ontario.

2016

Fudge Schormans, A., Baker-Collins, S., Wilson, T., Watts, L., & Idems, B. (August, 2016). Intersections between disability, education, employment and homelessness for youth: Challenges and impacts. Paper presented at the 15th World Congress of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD), Melbourne Australia.

Smith-Carrier, T. & Baker Collins, S. (2016). Myth or Reality? Exploring Intergenerational Social Assistance Participation in Ontario, Canada. Paper presented at 3rd Annual Learning Institute Global Well-Being and Social Change Conference. Millersville University, Lancaster, PA. June 10, 2016.

Fudge Schormans, A., Baker Collins, S., Cranmer-Byng, S., Watt, L., Wilson, T., & Idems, B. (2016). Risks of ignoring intersections between disability and homelessness: challenges and impacts for youth. Paper presented at 2016 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences: Energizing social work communities. University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, May 30-June 2, 2016.

Wilson, T. E., Fudge Schormans, A., Baker Collins, S., Idems, B., Watt, L. Ignoring intersections between disability and homelessness for youth: challenges and impacts. (2016). Paper presented at the 6th European Conference for Social Work Research. Lisbon, Portugal, March 30-April 1, 2016.

2015

Baker Collins, S. (2015). From citizen to client: value discretion in the administration of Ontario Works.  Canadian Association of Social Work Education. University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, June 3, 2015.

McBride, S., Baker Collins, S., Griffin Cohen, M., Hewitt-White, H., Pollard, T., & Whiteside, H., (2015) Roundtable:  In/Against/Beyond the New Austerity.  “There’s wiggle room in every decision”: finding discretionary room for resisting austerity in Ontario Works. Society for Socialist Studies.  University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, June 2, 2015.

2014

Baker Collins, S. (2014). The Space in the Rules: Bureaucratic discretion and resistance. McMaster University School of Labour Studies & Canadian Association for Work & Labour Studies. Dissent and Resistance in the Workplace. McMaster University, October 4, 2014.

Baker Collins, S. (2014). There’s wiggle room in every decision: Bureaucratic discretion and case management in Ontario Works. Canadian Association of Social Work Education. Brock University, Thorold, Ontario.  May 28, 2014.

2013

Baker Collins, S. (2013). From Homeless Youth to Chronically Homeless Adult.  National Conference on Ending Homelessness. Ottawa, Ontario. October 30, 2013.

Baker Collins, S. (2013). From Homeless Youth to Chronically Homeless Adult. Canadian Association of Social Work Education. University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, June 4, 2013.

2010

Baker Collins, S. (2010). Youth Homelessness in Niagara, Canadian Association of Social Work Education. Concordia University, Montreal, June 1, 2010. 

Community Connections

Invited Community Presentations

Baker Collins, S. & Penisi, S.  (2008).  Poverty in Niagara: Rethinking our Response. Panel Presentation sponsored by the Niagara Branch of the Ontario Association of Social Workers, Niagara Regional Headquarters, Thorold, ON. Oct. 16, 2008.

Baker Collins, S., Lethby, M., Bryant, D., Pelette, D. (2008). Youth at Risk: A Panel on Solutions for Youth without Secure Housing, Community Presentation sponsored by the Social Assistance Reform Committee Niagara, at Niagara Regional Headquarters, Thorold, ON., May 27, 2008.

Baker Collins, S. (2007).  Who Counts?  Changing Relationships between Citizens and Their Government.  Keynote Address to the Annual Meeting of Citizens for Public Justice, Toronto, Ontario, June 2, 2007.

Baker Collins, S. (2003)  Welfare and Well-being.  Closing Keynote Address at the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) Ontario Works Learning Forum, Toronto, October 21, 2003.

Community Research Reports

Baker Collins, S. (2010). Sofas, Shelters and Strangers: Youth Homelessness in Niagara.  Research Report to Community Services Division.  Regional Municipality of Niagara, September, 2010.

Opinion Pieces

Baker Collins, S. (2015). A Hollow Claim to Leadership and Security, Hamilton Spectator, October 9, 2015.

Baker Collins, S. (2012). A Policy Plan to Hide Poverty and Inequality, Hamilton Spectator, April 26, p. A15.

Research Blogs

Baker Collins, S. & Fudge Schormans, A. (2016). Uncovering and mapping connections between disability, education and employment among young people who have experienced homelessness.  Homeless Hub: Research Matters, Finding Solutions to Homelessness, September 19, 2016.

Baker Collins, S. (2014). How many homeless youth were homeless while growing up? Research Matters: Ask the Hub, Homeless Hub, May 09, 2014.