Dr. Steven  Hoffler is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at Southern Connecticut State University. He also holds various consulting positions for several private and public organizations in the healthcare, educational and child welfare systems. Dr. Hoffler’s professional experience has  included positions as a Mental Health Consultant for Yale Medical School and Hartford Hospital’s Institute of Living for their Juvenile Detention Program and their Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Programs.  His practice experience has included clinical, supervisory and administrative positions at Yale New Haven Hospital, the Connecticut Department of Children and Families and the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF) through Casey Family Services (CFS) where he served for ten years. At Casey, Dr. Hoffler served as the Deputy Division Director for six years in their Hartford Division and provided administrative and clinical oversight of its foster care, post-adoption, reunification and community involvement programs. At Casey he also served on the leadership team  that managed the New Haven Grants Program of non-profit agencies dedicated the improving the lives of children and families.  Additionally, he served as the Project Coordinator for the Center for Children’s Advocacy for the Deep End Diversion Program, where he was responsible for implementing the principles of restorative justice in Connecticut’s juvenile justice system.

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At Southern, Dr. Hoffler serves as an advisor to Brotherhood of Scholarship and Excellence (BRoSE), an affinity group on campus committed to recruiting and graduating men of color to and from higher education institutions.  In 2019, he received the Advisor of the YearAward in this role and continues to bridge partnerships with local educational systems to improve the educational gap for this group and other groups disproportionately impacted. In the past few years, Dr. Hoffler has elevated his advocacy to addressing systemic racism in the criminal justice, child welfare, educational and healthcare systems and instituting restorative justice practices in various settings. 

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Dr. Hoffler received his B.A. in History and MSW from the University of Connecticut and his Ph.D. from Smith College School for Social Work.  Her serves on several advisory boards,   holds several professional memberships and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In 2007, he received the Achiever Award recognized by the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut Association of Educational Opportunity Programs (CAEOP) for his outstanding educational, community, and personal success. He was awarded the 2019 Humanitarian Award by Senator Richard Blumenthal and the Connecticut Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission.  Dr. Hoffler maintains a private practice and is the father of a toddler son, Tyler.