Chicago, IL
Dra. Judith Susan Rocha is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and Director of Field Education for the Masters of Social Work Program at Northeastern Illinois University. As a Mexicana born in Chicago and raised in the Little Village and Gage Park neighborhoods, by a hard-working single mother and loving older siblings, all Mexican-born; Dra. Rocha has always been interested in helping Latinx families navigate systems in order to have full access to a more just and prosperous life. Her work in the last 25 years has included parenting education and counseling for children and families in the southwest and southeast sides of Chicago. Her research interests include Latinx-relevant social issues with a focus on family caregiving of Latina and Latino elders living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia (ADRD). She is invested in finding practical ways for family members who provide care to someone with this complex disease, to stay healthy. Included in her service to the community is an art program called La BROCHA and ANCLA, a support group for Spanish-speaking caregivers. She obtained her BSW, MSW, and Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, at Chicago's Jane Addams College of Social Work.