Expert:

Dr. Carol Wilson Spigner

Professor, School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania

* Dr. Spigner specializes in child-welfare policies and the over-representation of African-American children within the child welfare system.

* She's the co-director of the Field Center for Children's Policy Practice and Research at Penn, a multi-disciplinary voice for children in the child-welfare system that examines critical issues affecting abused/neglected children.

* She has worked to develop and implement federal policies designed to protect children, especially those at risk due to domestic violence or substance abuse.