Educational/Professional Background

Candace Thier received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Illinois in 1988. She then earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Governor’s State University and a doctor of education in organizational leadership from Argosy University. Candace’s early career was spent providing counseling services to adolescents in residential and community based social service organizations. After providing direct services to at risk youth, Candace advanced into director of programming for behavior health services and then to the director of quality improvement in a community based organization. She transferred into the director of child welfare programs within the same organization and spent 4 years providing oversight to specialized foster care, intact, transitional living, and independent living programs.

Research/Practice Interests

Dr. Thier joined the Foster Care Utilization Review Program in 2015, where her child welfare, quality improvement, and research experience allows her to continue working toward improving the lives of children and families. Her specific areas of research and practice interests are with older adolescent and young adult success transitioning to independence and adulthood. Secondary research and practice interest lie with organizational leadership improvement and collective impact facilitation.