Dear Friends,
Recognizing Black History Month, and the resilience and strength embedded among Black families, all of us at the UCLA Pritzker Center are focused on local recovery from the wildfires and on the national discourse impacting BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrant and impoverished chldren and families. We have partnered the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies to help restock children's books in communities impacted by the wildfires. We have joined hands with UCLA experts to share mental health first aid with families and colleagues from Altadena to Pacific Palisades. Our research efforts are being directed at fire recovery and best practices for child welfare invovled families. We will continue to respond to the pressing issues facing our families with research, education and partnership. As Bruins and Angelenos, we are heartened by the collaboration, care and connection that has been shown across Los Angeles. On behalf of children and families, we will continue to join hands in this spirit in the days ahead.
In community,
The UCLA Pritzker Center Team
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RESPONDING TO LA WILDFIRES
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Supporting Children, Strengthening Communities: Professional Skills for Talking About Wildfires Together |
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In the wake of the tragic fires facing Los Angeles County communities, we held an informative talk on January 15th, "Supporting Children, Strengthening Communities: Professional Skills for Talking About Wildfires Together" with Dr. Melissa Brymer.
Dr. Brymer is director of terrorism and disaster programs at the UCLA-Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress and an expert on how children deal with stress following disasters. Dr. Brymer studies how best to offer psychological assistance in the aftermath of disasters. This free program addressed how to talk with children and families about the wildfires. The talk was suitable for a range of professionals, including therapists, social workers, teachers, health care workers, lawyers, and more, including parents and family members. Our hearts are with LA and everyone impacted.
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A curated list of financial, mental health, legal, and more resources for those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires.
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Foster Youth and Wildfire Recovery News |
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We're proud to share our 2024 Impact Report and to celebrate the goals achieved, and the opportunities that lie ahead! As always, our work is a collective effort—brought together by our committed faculty, dedicated staff and hardworking students, and facilitated and uplifted by everyone we call a friend and partner. We do the work of strengthening children and families hand in hand, and with the belief that systems change when people make change together. Thank you for joining us in our effort to bring about equitable reform to our child welfare system. With a new year ahead of us, we are eager to make more progress together.
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Antelope Valley Day of Giving 2024 |
Our community-based research begins with being in the community! We are grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the LA County Department of Mental Health Day of Giving in the Antelope Valley! Special thanks to Baby2Baby for the toys and diapers, Hope in a Suitcase for the pajamas, and Twinspire and Loving Hearts for supporting our jacket collection. A big shout out to all the individual donors and friends who helped us collect 500+ jackets!
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Brenda Tully, PhD Joins Coro LA Housing and Houselessness 2025 Cohort |
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Congratulations to Brenda A. Tully, LCSW, PhD, one of the UCLA Pritzker Center’s research directors, for being selected as a participant in the Coro LA Housing and Houselessness Leadership Network (HHLN). This cohort-based “leadership development program builds the skills, resilience, and relationships that leaders need to drive transformative solutions to housing and houselessness challenges.” The HHLN begins later this month with an opening retreat, followed by a series of leadership forums and group projects, culminating in a closing ceremony in June 2025.
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UCLA Pritzker Center and ACEs-LA Network to Publish ACE Screening Policy Briefs this Spring |
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With the support from the UCLA/UCSF Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Aware Family Resilience Network (UCAAN) and the Olive View-UCLA Education and Research Institute, the UCLA Pritzker Center has partnered with the ACEs-LA Network of Care to produce a series of policy briefs on the implementation of ACE screening and response activities to prevent and address the impact of childhood adversity and toxic stress within pediatric clinics across Los Angeles County. Two of four briefs will be published this Spring.
Using findings from a mindfulness meditation intervention piloted by the Strong Healthy Resilient Kids (SHARK) clinic, the first brief documents how ACE screening can serve as an effective starting point for identifying risk of toxic stress and initiating referrals to services that support the mitigation of stress-related mental and physical health symptoms. The second brief illustrates how ACE screening can improve California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) implementation by increasing the identification of publicly-insured children and youth who are eligible for Enhanced Care Management.
The briefs also underscore a need for increased training for policy makers, MCOs, healthcare providers on the impact of ACEs and toxic stress to enhance the use of existing trauma-responsive services available to children and families through CalAIM.
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UCLA Pritzker Center Graduate Student Researcher, Demontea Thompson, speaks at MLK, Jr. Shabbat: “Bridging the Gap: Education, Equity, and Empowerment” |
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Photo of Graduate Student Researcher, Demontea Thompson, at Temple Israel of Hollywood
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In January, the Temple Israel of Hollywood hosted an event on Shabbat, "Bridging the Gap: Education, Equity, and Empowerment” to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"Speaking in the same space where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once stood 60 years ago was an extraordinary experience. I’ve added this night to my list of the most special moments in my life. The community’s participation during this spiritual gathering was truly remarkable. It was an unforgettable night." - Demontea Thompson, Graduate Student Researcher.
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UCLA Pritzker Center Makes Field Visit to Kids in the Spotlight |
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Photo of the UCLA Pritzker Center Team with Kids in the Spotlight team members
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Kids in the Spotlight is a catalyst for change by bringing the stories of youth impacted by foster care and other underserved communities to life and to a broader audience. System-impacted youth find a creative platform to share their stories, develop industry skills, pursue higher education, and enter the filmmaking industry. Earlier this month, our team had the pleasure of touring their site.
"My experience visiting Kids in the Spotlight was incredible eye-opening, reminding me of the incredible impact the arts can have on foster youth. It was inspiring to witness how storytelling, acting, and film production empower young people to express themselves, build confidence, and shape their own narratives." - Cris Espino, UCLA Pritzker Center Undergraduate Student Researcher
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UCLA Pritzker Center Hosts Tour of New DTLA Office |
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Photo of UCLA Pritzker Center team members and colleagues joining the DTLA Catalyst
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In August 2024, the UCLA Pritzker Center opened its second office in the UCLA DTLA Trust Building. Located in the Historic Core, the space is a collaborative hub where Bruins partner with local community members and organization on a range of academic, research, arts-related and outreach initiative. The UCLA Pritzker Center's DTLA Catalyst includes involves a partnership led by three schools/institutes at UCLA (SEIS, Semel Institute, Luskin School of Public Affairs). Together, we proactively and strategically link UCLA's child and family work to nonprofit agencies, K-12 systems, other education institutions, and government support services as we develop collaborative and innocative classroom support systems, family support services, and trauama and resiliency informed care. Over the last month, we have invited our partners to join us in the space and look forward to our growing presence in DTLA.
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UCLA Pritzker Center leads Taco 'Bout Law Event with UCLA Office of Residential Life
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Photo of UCLA Pritzker Center Executive Director, Taylor Dudley and respective colleagues at the Taco 'Bout Law panel discussion.
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On February 11, UCLA Pritzker Center Executive Director, Taylor Dudley, spoke at the UCLA Taco 'Bout Law event hosted in partnership with the UCLA Office of Residential Life. At the event, colleagues shared insights on law school and careers in various fields. More than 40 students enjoyed a taco dinner and networking. Many UCLA students are eager to learn about law school and public service. This event combined those goals through the generous participation of various lawyers from across Los Angeles.
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| Meet Emma Chen, Undergraduate Operations Assistant |
Emma is a fourth year undergraduate student at UCLA, double majoring in Economics and Public Affairs. She has worked on various political campaigns and in government offices in California and Washington, DC. Emma is passionate about equitable economic policy that uplifts families and communities.
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| Meet Valeria Morales Navarro, Undergraduate Research Assistant |
Valeria Morales Navarro is a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Sociology with a minor in Education and Social Transformation Studies. As a resident from the Antelope Valley, Valeria works with the ENRICH team and on our Antelope Valley based work. Valeria is committed to improving the lives of foster youth and marginalized populations through her dedication and advocacy.
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Does your organization need books?
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In light of the tragic LA County wildfires, the UCLA Pritzker Center has collected over 2000 books for organizations looking to rebuild. Books are provided on first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, please contact UCLA Pritzker Center Executive Director, Taylor Dudley, at dudley@gseis.ucla.edu
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© 2024 UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children and Families. All Rights Reserved.
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