Dear Friends,
On April 7, Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), spoke at the California African American Museum in partnership with City of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. EJI is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the U.S., challenging racial and economic injustice, and protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society. Faced with numerous shifts across the United States in policy and public discourse, Mr. Stevenson implored the audience to be truth tellers in this moment, to get proximate to people in need and to advance justice by tending to the injustices facing our communities.
In the spirit of this guidance, we are pleased to share our April newsletter outlining our own version of truth telling, getting proximate to our communities and advancing justice. Below, you will find more on an upcoming event for LGBTQ+ youth and families, research developments concerning the Eaton Fire, foster care and education, student achievements pertaining to diversity, equity and inclusion, a visit to Alma Backyard Farms and more. As always, we appreciate the opportunity to connect and share our work.
In community,
The UCLA Pritzker Center Team
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| Leveraging CalAIM to Support Children, Youth, and Families Impacted by ACEs and Toxic Stress
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Join ACEs Aware for an in-depth webinar exploring the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative and its role in enhancing clinical responses for children and youth at risk of toxic stress physiology. This session will provide a foundational understanding of CalAIM’s key components, including Enhanced Care Management (ECM) and Community Supports, and how these initiatives create new opportunities for integrating trauma-informed care into clinical practice. Attendees will learn how CalAIM can be leveraged to improve care coordination, address social drivers of health, and expand access to critical services for children and families impacted by ACEs and toxic stress.
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| Strengthening Support Networks for LGBTQ+ Youth
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Join us for a transformative talk dedicated to enhancing support systems for LGBTQ+ youth. This event will bring together campus and community leaders to explore effective strategies and share resources aimed at fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment for young people. Whether you are a professional working with youth or a community member committed to inclusivity, your participation can make a meaningful difference in shaping a more accepting and supportive future for LGBTQ+ youth. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and empower!
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Los Angeles Wildfire Recovery |
Exploring Educational Disruptions for Students in Foster Care in Altadena Following the Eaton Fire |
With the Public Scholarship Grant from Dean Tina Christie and the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies, the UCLA Pritzker Center launched a new study to examine how the Eaton Fire disrupted the educational experiences of children in foster care in the Altadena area. The project will map the fire’s impact by analyzing school displacement and placement instability among foster youth.
In collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Pasadena United School District (PUSD), Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers (LADL), Children’s Law Center of California (CLC), Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), and the Alliance for Children’s Rights, the study aims to identify ongoing education-related challenges and explore existing policy and practice solutions. Findings will be shared at the start of the 2025–2026 school year.
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UCLA Luskin Summit 2025: Equitable Recovery and Resilience |
Photo of Director of UCLA Luskin advisory board member Cecilia Estolano, City of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Senator Ben Allen, and Altadena Recovery Director Anish Saraiya at the 2025 UCLA Luskin Summit Opening Plenary. Photo courtesy of UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
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The 2025 UCLA Luskin Summit brought together government officials, policymakers, non-profit leaders, scholars, and difference-makers to address the devastating impact of the wildfires earlier this January. With a focus on the rebuilding, recovery, and resilience of the communities impacted by the fires, this year's summit provided attendees with the latest research and guidance from UCLA Luskin experts, community groups, and government agencies.
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Wildfire Talk and Resources |
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Research Director, Brenda Tully, PhD, attends Youth Homelessness Research Conference |
The first Young People to the Front (YP2F) Youth Homelessness Research Conference was an engaging and generative day centered on equity in research. Presenters uplifted the vital nature of community-researcher partnerships, training and embedding young people with lived experience on research teams, and implementing research responsive to service provider needs. Kenneth Mejia, City of Los Angeles Controller, shared how data dashboards, audits, and changes in accounting practices promote government transparency and accountability in the city’s efforts to respond to the needs of and house people experiencing homelessness. Presenters made clear that linking community, policy, practice, research, and advocacy is necessary for understanding and addressing youth homelessness in Los Angeles.
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UCLA Pritzker Center Research Director, Dr. Brenda Tully, was among those at the conference.
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ENRICH: Guaranteed income-like stipend and coaching program for young people in extended foster care |
The UCLA Pritzker Center is partnering with Strengths-Based Community Change (SBCC) to evaluate ENRICH, a guaranteed income-like stipend and coaching program for young people in extended foster care as of 10/31/25. The study aims to evaluate ENRICH using mixed methods to understand the experiences of ENRICH participants across life domains, like access to benefits and entitlements, financial planning, educational and vocational pursuits, career planning and employment, housing, or social and emotional support, and their SBCC coaches. Initial analysis of ENRICH administrative data on participant enrollment and demographics will begin in May.
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Student researchers to present at UCLA Undergraduate Research Week |
Congratulations to our student researchers, Isabella Reina and Olivia Gilchrist, on being accepted to present at UCLA’s Undergraduate Research & Creativity Showcase during Undergraduate Research Week on May 19-23! The research projects they will present are "A Case Study of FUPY/FYI Housing Choice Vouchers in Los Angeles: The Experiences of Young Adults, Property Managers, and Case Managers" and "Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences of Youth Living in the Antelope Valley."
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Students and staff visit ALMA Backyard Farms |
UCLA Pritzker Center team members Taylor Dudley, JD; Brenda Tully, PhD; Emma Chen; Olivia Gilchrist; Ana Rivera; Brittney Hun; and Valeria Morales Navarro at ALMA Backyard Farms.
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As part of our commitment to community engagement and hands-on learning, our students and staff recently visited ALMA Backyard Farms. ALMA's mission is to "reclaim lives of persons formerly incarcerated, repurpose land into productive urban farms and reimagine community as a place for people and plants to thrive." Given that many children in foster care have incarcerated parents, exploring alternative strategies to reentry and rehabiliation is critical.
During the field trip, our team learned about the power of second chances through restorative practices. The experience offered a meaningful connection between academic research and real-world application, highlighting the vital role of community-rooted solutions in building a more equitable healthy food system and supporting those formerly incarcerated.
“I enjoyed visiting ALMA Backyard Farms and learning about the process of urban farming, as well as how it can be used to bring together the community and support formerly incarcerated individuals. Not to mention, the ALMA fruits and vegetables we were able to purchase were top-notch! Thank you for the wonderful tour, ALMA Backyard Farms!” – Olivia Gilchrist, Student Researcher
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“It was amazing to see so many crops being grown and cultivated at ALMA Backyard Farms and incredibly inspiring to see the care and commitment of the staff to ensure the community has access to healthy food.”— Emma Chen, Operations Assistant
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“Visiting ALMA Backyard Farms was a truly joyful experience — touring the grounds felt like a warm reminder of home. You could feel the passion and love radiating from everyone there, rooted in their powerful mission to heal communities and provide second chances through farming." – Valeria Morales Navarro, Student Researcher
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UCLA Pritzker Center attends Inspire LA |
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Earlier this month, our team attended Inspire LA, a speaker series to promote civic discourse and build understanding, connection, purpose, and possibility. The event was presented by Mayor Karen Bass and Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative.
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| Photo of Mayor Bass and Bryan Stevenson at Inspire LA.
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Co-Director, Audra Langley, PhD, receives the 2025 UCLA Staff/Faculty Partnership Award
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Photo of Dr. Audra Langley, Co-Director of UCLA Pritzker Center and Professor, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences.
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Each year, the UCLA Staff Assembly honors employees who have demonstrated outstanding service in supporting the University’s mission and achieving institutional goals. These awards are designed to shine a spotlight on the exceptional talent that makes UCLA a place of innovation, inspiration, and impact.
Congratulations to our Co-Director, Dr. Audra Langley, on receiving the 2025 UCLA Staff/Faculty Partnership Award! Dr. Langley's leadership, collaboration, and dedication to building bridges across disciplines serves as an inspiration to all.
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Student researcher, Cristopher Espino, honored with UCLA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Student Leadership Award
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Photo of the 2024-2025 UCLA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion award recipients at the ceremony.
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Cristopher Espino, undergraduate student researcher, was honored with a Student Leadership Award from UCLA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) for his exceptional leadership and alignment with the EDI office's mission and priorities.
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Photo of Cristopher Espino holding his Student Leadership award.
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Photo of Cristopher Espino and Taylor Dudley, JD, at the UCLA EDI award reception.
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| By Joanie Harmon | UCLA Ed&IS Magazine
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The UCLA Pritzker Center partners with experts across campus, practitioners and agencies, and local and state policymakers in support of on-the-ground change for the Los Angeles County foster care system.
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By Tyrone Howard and Jaleel Howard | ASCD
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When schools get it right, Black students flourish. Here’s what educators can learn from two schools making it happen.
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Share with your networks and help amplify these voices! Use this social media guide that includes pre-written captions and descriptions.
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The Bruin Guardian Scholars Academy is a comprehensive college readiness program designed to support high school foster youth on their path to higher education. Students participate in four immersive summer residential programs at UCLA and attend monthly Saturday sessions throughout the school year.
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Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation Scholarship is accepting applications through May 16th. Any student who is a current or former foster youth in Los Angeles County and is enrolled in college or vocational programming with a 2.5 GPA is eligible. Apply here: https://biddymason.com/scholarships/
If you have any questions, please send an email to scholarshipinfo@biddymason.com.
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© 2025 UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children and Families. All Rights Reserved.
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