Kelli Hughes, JD, is an Ohio-licensed attorney and researcher at the Institute for Human Services (IHS) in Columbus, Ohio. She is the founder and Program Director of the Center for Child Policy. Her primary work is focused on applied statutory analysis, policy analysis, and research on best practices on a multitude of child maltreatment-related issues. She performs case consultation and strategic organizational development for IHS and partner organizations. Additionally, she provides graphic design, organizational branding, and website development services for several non-profit organizations.

Ms. Hughes' goal is to help effect systems change through more efficient, effective legislation and strategic NGO program development. She is interested in how language influences action or inaction, particularly in areas related to child maltreatment, race and ethnicity, and socioeconomics.

Ms. Hughes earned her JD from The Ohio State Moritz College of Law in 2011, where her studies focused on legislation, equal rights amendments, and statutory civil rights. While at Ohio State, she worked as a research and writing aid for the Kirwan Institute on Race and Ethnicity. Ms. Hughes was awarded the Leadership Scholarship from The Ohio State University for her leadership qualities, professional and personal accomplishments, past academic achievements, and commitment to making a positive difference in the community. She also was awarded the CALI Excellence for the Future award for the best performance in the study of Statutory Civil Rights.

Ms. Hughes earned her BA in English Literature from Princeton University in 2007. Her studies focused on poetry, critical theory, and philosophy, and her published thesis was on the American Beat Poet, Allen Ginsberg.

In her spare time, Ms. Hughes enjoys art and the outdoors. She is an accomplished oil painter and has been represented by several galleries in Ohio and Michigan. She also enjoys being a member of the Ohio Archaeological Society, playing basketball, and exploring new things.

Recent Publications:

Book Chapter (in press) - “Does Mandatory Reporting Have a Place in a More Prevention-Focused Child Maltreatment System?” 2021. Kelli N. Hughes & Frank E. Vandervort. Preventing Child Abuse: Critical Roles and Multiple Perspectives. Nova Publishers.

Book Chapter (in press) - "Pathways to Prevention: Prevention Zones as a Strategy for Making Progress in Child Maltreatment Prevention.” 2021. Debangshu Roygardner, Kelli N. Hughes, & Vincent J. Palusci. Preventing Child Abuse: Critical Roles and Multiple Perspectives. Nova Publishers.

Book Chapter - “A Scoping Review of Abusive Head Trauma Epidemiology, Legal Controversies and Prevention.” 2020. Debangshu Roygardner, Robert Parrish Vincent J. Palusci, & Kelli N. Hughes. Building Children and Youth for the Future: Some International Aspects. Nova Publishers. https://novapublishers.com/shop/building-children-and-youth-for-the-future-some-international-aspects/

Article (in press) - “A Structured Review of the Literature on Abusive Head Trauma Prevention.” 2021. Debangshu Roygardner, Vincent J. Palusci, & Kelli N. Hughes. Child Abuse Review.

Article - "Leveraging Family and Community Strengths to Reduce Child Maltreatement.” 2020. Debangshu Roygardner, Kelli N. Hughes, & Vincent J. Palusci. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716220978402

Article - “Advancing Prevention Zones: Implementing Community-Based Strategies to Prevent Child Maltreatment and Promote Healthy Families.” 2020. Debangshu Roygardner, Vincent J. Palusci, & Kelli N. Hughes. International Journal on Child Maltreatment: Research, Policy and Practice, 3(81-91). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs42448-019-00039-0

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