Tracy Bird

Tracy Bird is the program director and an instructor in the Behavioral and Mental Health Technician program at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls.

Tracy Bird is an experienced public health professional with distinct interest in child maltreatment prevention and mental and behavioral health and well-being. She is Southeast Technical College’s program director and an instructor in the Behavioral and Mental Health Technician program.

She is motivated to strengthen the knowledge and skills of students in order to promote holistic, evidence-based, trauma-informed care to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals with mental and behavioral health conditions.

Tracy obtained her Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota, Master of Public Health from the University of South Dakota, a graduate certificate in Child and Adult Advocacy Studies from USD and is completing her dissertation in the USD PhD in Health Sciences program. Her dissertation research focuses on structural and social risk and protective factors impacting crossover youth who have touched both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Previously, Tracy spent nearly five years conducting longitudinal, community-based maternal and child health research studies, taught macro-level public health prevention graduate courses, led statewide maternal and child health prevention programs, and has worked directly with healthcare patients, victims of maltreatment, individuals with disabilities and homeless youth.

Education:

• University of South Dakota, Master of Public Health
• University of South Dakota, Child and Adult Advocacy Studies graduate certificate
• University of Minnesota, Bachelor of Science