Who We Are

Joseph Kozakiewicz, J.D., M.S.W., Director

Joseph Kozakiewicz earned his bachelor's and law degrees from Columbia University in 1985 and 1988, respectively. He earned a master's degree in social work from Grand Valley State University in 2000. A native of New York State, Mr. Kozakiewicz moved to San Diego, California following his graduation from law school. Mr. Kozakiewicz practiced business and securities law for 3 years and then taught at the University of San Diego School of Law for 4 years before relocating to West Michigan. In 1997, Mr. Kozakiewicz began working for the Children's Law Center, a non-profit agency devoted to advocating for children in variety of legal matters. Between 1998 and 2003, Mr. Kozakiewicz worked for the Ottawa County Family Court, first as a referee conducting hearings in a variety of family court cases, and then as the Director of the Friend of the Court, the county agency responsible for enforcing child support, custody, and parenting time orders. In 2003 Mr. Kozakiewicz accepted the position of Director of the Michigan State University Chance at Childhood Program. This interdisciplinary program serves to promote and protect the well-being of children and families through integrated education and advocacy.

Kimberly Steed, LMSW, Program Coordinator/Clinical Instructor

Kimberly Steed earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas- El Paso and her master’s degree from Michigan State University in 2001.  As program coordinator, Ms. Steed supervises the social work and law students in their court assignments and assists the Program Director in ongoing projects related to child welfare.  Kimberly coordinates the Supervised Parenting Time Program with Ingham County Friend of the Court.  Additionally, Kimberly co-teaches the General Law for Social Workers course and the Integrated Law & Social Work Child Welfare seminar. She also teaches Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis and Social Welfare Policy.  Prior to joining the Clinic, Kimberly worked as a Guardianship Investigator for the Elderly and Disabled with the El Paso County Probate Court in El Paso, Texas. Kimberly is a doctoral student with research interests in child welfare/abuse and neglect; mental illness, incarcerated mothers and parenting. 

Delanie P. Pope, J.D., Staff Attorney

Delanie Pope earned her bachelor's degree from Northwestern University in 1988 and her law degree from Indiana University in 1993. She is the Staff Attorney for the Chance at Childhood Program at Michigan State University. As Staff Attorney, Ms. Pope supervises the Clinic's law and social work students in their court assignments and assists the Program's Director in a variety of ongoing projects related to child welfare. Before joining the Clinic in May, 2005, Ms. Pope was a Circuit Court Law Clerk in Ottawa County and a Prehearing Law Clerk at the Michigan State Court of Appeals. From 2002 to 2005, Ms. Pope worked for the Ottawa County Family Court as Referee conducting hearings in a variety of family court cases involving abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, parenting time, support, and juvenile delinquency.