Expertise

Dr. Fraley’s research program centers on health disparities, vulnerable populations, social determinants of health, health equity, and health policy, with particular focus on the intersection of health and human rights. She is nationally known for her research in the area of youth violence prevention and risk reduction and is an expert in domestic youth trafficking prevention.

Dr. Fraley’s research program also focuses on disparate experiences of youth and adults with disabilities and the associated risk and protective factors of school, community, and family influences along with social institutions that may perpetuate risk and all forms of violence. Additionally, Dr. Fraley has served as an expert Scientific Reviewer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention youth violence prevention grant applications, served as expert consultant on child trafficking cases, and serves as a National Leader in the Coalition to Prevent Childhood Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.

Education Background

Dr. Fraley received her Ph.D. in Population Health and Health Policy from UMass Boston and MSN from Cal State University Fullerton and is nationally board certified in public health.

Research and Scholarship

Dr. Fraley has several publications in noteworthy multidisciplinary health sciences and nursing journals, is a mixed methods researcher and uses community based participatory approaches with school faculty, survivors, and community agencies nationally to illuminate violence and trafficking of youth in U.S. schools and in broader school communities. She has expertise in survey design, testing, and evaluation research as well as theory development and testing. Her program of research has received internal and external funding and aims to build sustainable prevention interventions through development of the frontline role of school faculty, particularly school nurses, and community agencies serving youth at risk for or experiencing violence.

Awards, Recognitions, and/or Group Affiliations

Dr. Fraley is a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Alumni Association, Boston Division and serves on the American Public Health Association School Health Education and Services committee, and the APHA Public Health Nurses sub-committees.