Her work focuses on using partnership-based research to promote the development and well-being of vulnerable children, youth, and families. Most recently, she has worked with Joe Willard of the People's Emergency Center to examine the prevalence and influence of homeless experiences among youth enrolled in Philadelphia's public high schools. Dr. Perlman also serves as the co-chair of the APA Taskforce on Promoting Positive Parenting in the Context of Homelessness and was the 2011 recipient of the Child Maltreatment Section of the American Psychological Association’s Early Career Award for Outstanding Contributions to Practice in the Field of Child Maltreatment.