May is National Foster Care Month. However, for us at the UCLA Pritzker Center, every day is a time to think about foster care—both in terms of how to safely prevent the need for it and how to improve it. Our work outlined in the message below highlights the many angles of this effort.

We are proud to share our contributions to work being advanced by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, research events on-campus and across the country, and much more.

Join us in the work to both prevent foster care and improve it—our door is always open for partnership.

In community,

The UCLA Pritzker Center Team

Undergraduate student researchers at the UCLA Pritzker Center will be participating in the Undergraduate Research Week, presenting our Blind Removal, DV, and Photovoice research projects.

Undergraduate Research Week is a week-long celebration of undergraduate research and creative inquiry at UCLA, hosted from May 20 to 24.

Students from all disciplines at every stage of the research and creative process gather to share their innovative and impactful work with the UCLA community at events, such as the Undergraduate Research & Creativity Showcase, a premier event featuring hundreds of live student presentations on May 21.

With the support of the Blue Shield Foundation, Van Nuys Charities, and the UCLA Prevention Center of Excellence (COE) we hosted a 3 Part Educational Training Series, "From Mandatory Reporting to Mandatory Supporting: Transforming Responses to Domestic Violence for Survivors and Their Children."

We reached 600 participants from various disciplines, many of whom received CE credit. Fourteen speakers, representing community based organizations and departments across UCLA, spoke to their experience of mandatory reporting and mandatory supporting. We were especially happy to host a survivor voice on the panel. 

Check out what some of our training participants said below!

“Excellent panel discussion. The competing forces between systems often hinders a victim/survivor's ability to successfully receive the services that they need.”

“I like the diversity of the panel, balance and partnership is the key to keeping families safe.”

"[Your] conversations were honest and reflected how medical professionals play a vital role. My biggest take away was scheduling follow-up visits to check in on family and continue to engage victims. Also starting with conversations with teens.”

Session 1

Featuring speakers Tamara Hunter, DSW; Eve Sheedy, Esq; Arati Vasan, JD; Sophia Rodriguez, MS; and Jacqueline Herrera, this session provided an in-depth examination of mandated supporting frameworks, exploring their role in facilitating interventions and responses to domestic violence. It highlighted the specific requirements through which mandated supporting operates, and discussed their implications for addressing domestic violence incidents effectively.

Session 2

Featuring speakers Ajita Gupta, LCSW; Brenda Tully, PhD; Eve Sheedy, Esq; Jacqueline Herrera; Jonathan M. Wicks, LCSW; and Keith Parker, this session investigated the prevalence and impact of domestic violence within the context of mental health. It delved into how mental health settings intersect with domestic violence issues, examining the challenges in identifying and addressing such cases among both children and adults of all genders. 

Session 3

Featuring speakers Jacqueline Herrera; Karina Oceguera, LCSW; Lisa Nicholas, MD; Mya Zapata, MD; Joseph Rojas, MD; and moderator Taylor Thaxton, this session explored the dynamics of domestic violence (DV) and its implications for patient care. It examined protocols and practices for handling DV cases involving children and adults within medical settings. The complexities introduced by mandatory reporting requirements were discussed and how mandated supporting may influence and enhance the healthcare response to DV.

LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell responds to the report and urges ongoing shifts in child welfare system reform. Photo courtesy of the Office of LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell

On April 23, 2024, the LA County Board of Supervisors passed a motion titled, "Blind Removals Moving Forward: Color Consciousness and Safeguarding Against Racial Bias" in response to the recommendations from findings of the pilot, Toward a Color-Blind Child Welfare System: Pilot Program for Safeguarding Against Racial Bias.

The motion calls for the Director of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to "consider and incorporate as appropriate the recommendations found in the UCLA’s Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children and Families “Beyond Blind Removal: Color Consciousness and Anti-Racism in Los Angeles County Child Welfare” report, beginning with the implementation of upstream enhancements, targeting the root cause of disproportionalities among Black families and children in the child welfare system."

Last month, the UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children and Families hosted 120 guests at Mudtown Farms operated by the Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) to announce the release of the report. Special thank you to Los Angeles County Supervisor, Holly J. Mitchell, Brandon Nichols, Dr. D’Artagnan Scorza, Dr. Tamara Hunter, and Dr. Tyrone Howard for sharing insights on racial disproportionality in foster care.

On October 6, the UCLA Pritzker Center hosted Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath for a meet-and-greet with numerous child and family experts across campus, where she presented the Center with a certificate of commendation on behalf of the LA County Board of Supervisors.

On March 8th, the UCLA Pritzker Center held an event to announce the release of the report, "Beyond Blind Removal," at Mudtown Farms, featuring guests Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, DCFS Director Brandon Nichols, Dr. D’Artagnan Scorza, and Dr. Tamara Hunter.

The 2024 AERA Annual Meeting took place on April 11-14 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Members of the UCLA Pritzker Center team in attendance include: Dr. Tyrone Howard, Co-Director and 2023-24 AERA President; Dr. Audra Langley, Co-Director; and Dr. Kenyon Whitman, joined by colleagues Dr. Matthew Ruderman, UCLA Ties for Families Executive Director; Dr. Brianna Harvey; and Dr. Maria Espino for a symposium exploring how youth of color traverse and experience foster care and postsecondary schooling.

The AERA Conference Presidential Session symposium consisted of chair, Brianna Harvey, PhD; discussant, Tyrone Howard, PhD; and presenters Matthew Ruderman, PhD; Kenyon Lee Whitman, PhD; Brenda Tully, PhD (not pictured); Brianna Harvey, PhD, MSW; and Audra Langley, PhD.

Utilizing mixed-methods and qualitative research approaches and critical frameworks to challenge dominant thinking and uplift the brilliance of the students in these studies, findings highlight the intersections of racial identity and foster care status and how foster youth of color and their adult co-conspirators navigate and resist racism and carcerality. The presentation entitled Youth of Color with Foster Care Experience: Navigating COVID-19 and Racism on College Campuses, funded by UCLA Pritzker Center, specifically explored the resolve of college students of color with foster care experience and how their unique experiences spurred their approach to navigating the COVID-19 and racism syndemic on college campuses. Of note, foster youth support programs rose to the occasion by offering resources, safety, and community for students. This research calls for a reimagining of the foster care and educational systems and the co-designing of targeted supports to uplift foster youth of color, promote racial literacy, identity, and socialization, and build educational experiences on a foundation of justice and equity.

"As a Psychologist attending an Education conference, I came away inspired by the incredible audience interest, engagement, and the gratitude for our work uplifting critical perspectives on the intersection of race, foster care, education, health and well-being. It reinforced the importance of our presence at national conferences representing diverse fields offering critical perspectives on structural intersectionality and informing our future endeavors." - Audra Langley, PhD

(L-R): Tyrone Howard, Audra Langley, Kenyon Whitman, Brianna Harvey, Matthew Ruderman, Maria Luz Espino

Kenyon Whitman speaks alongside fellow presenters, Brianna Harvey, Audra Langley, and Matthew Ruderman.

(L-R): Nene Ogbechie, Jesse Aguiar, Lucero Noyola, Cristina Rivard, Katherine La Spada, and Todd Sosna

Lucero Noyola, a research consultant on our Foster Youth to Independence Housing Choice Voucher Study, spoke on a panel about improving the experiences of young people transitioning out of the foster system into adulthood at the Junior League of Los Angeles’ (JLLA) Civic Leadership Forum last month on March 2, 2024. Panelists and event organizers included Nene Ogbechie (JLLA), Jesse Aguiar (Journey House), Lucero, Cristina Rivard (JLLA), Katherine La Spada (JLLA), and Todd Sosna (Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services).

(L-R in line): IZIKO (they/them), Julian Jimenez (he/him), and Jasmine Harris (she/her), LA Core Organizers

Kate Teague, CYC Community Advocacy Coordinator

Last month on March 13, 2024, the California Youth Connection (CYC) convened constituents to provide public comment urging the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) Board to request on-demand Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) housing choice (Section 8) vouchers. LACDA and other public housing authorities may request up to 50 on-demand FYI vouchers per year to help young adults exiting/exited the foster system obtain affordable housing. Constituents included young adult organizers from CYC and allied advocates from CYC, the RightWay Foundation, Safe Place for Youth, and Public Counsel. The LACDA Board was receptive. Recent advocacy led to the Culver City Council approving its Housing Authority’s request to apply for 5 FYI vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and a commitment from the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles to apply for FYI vouchers. Organizers and advocates are supporting recruitment of participants for our FYI housing choice voucher study investigating the barriers and facilitators to getting and using the FYI vouchers in Los Angeles.

UCLA Pritzker Center postdoctoral researcher, Laura Lievano-Karim, PhD, and executive director, Taylor Dudley, JD, will be joined by the executive director of the Los Angeles County Commission for Children and Families, Tamara Hunter, DSW and regional administrator with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Lancaster Office, Lisa Whitecrow, MA to present, "Transforming Child Welfare: Evolving Practices in Mandatory Reporting and Domestic Violence" at the 31st APSAC Colloquium this June in New Orleans, LA.

On April 10, the UCLA Pritzker Center DTLA Catalyst, consisting of partners from the UCLA School of Education & Information Studies, Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, and Luskin School of Public Affairs, held an inaugural DTLA collaborative meeting to discuss future plans for the newly acquired UCLA Downtown office space.

The Catalyst proactively and strategically links UCLA’s child and family experts to nonprofits, K-12 systems and government agencies to conduct research and develop innovative solutions to strengthen children and families. Read more about UCLA Downtown in the article below!

Maya Melnick is a third year undergraduate student at UCLA majoring in Cognitive Science and minoring in Film, Television, and Digital Media and has joined the UCLA Pritzker Center team as our Operations Assistant, supporting the team in communications, event production, grants and administration. 

with Sonali Kohli, Sonia Banker, Nalleli Cobo, and Kahlila Williams

One of our undergraduate student researchers, Kahlila Williams, is participating in a panel conversation with two other young women activists of color on Tuesday, June 4 at 7pm at the Reparations Club in Los Angeles.

The Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce their annual Scholarship program, created to assist current and former LA County foster youth. Submissions will be open starting February 12th, 2024. Scholarship funds may be used for attendance at high school, college, or graduate programs. All accredited educational and vocational institutions will be considered.

Application due May 17th, 2024

Fostering Educational Opportunities Foundation believes in the power of education and has made available financial grants for former foster students pursuing a higher education or training program.

The funding cycle opens May 1 and closes August 1 each year.

The center’s report on the shortfalls of blind removal propels countywide recognition of the importance of considering race in removal decisions impacting Black families.

Theme chosen by AERA 2023-2024 President Tyrone C. Howard leads annual meeting, featuring a spotlight on UCLA innovative research on issues of race in education.

In setting the theme for the 2024 annual meeting of the American Education Research Association (AERA), UCLA Professor of Education and AERA President Tyrone C. Howard challenges the education research community to “engage in a massive undertaking of attending to the simultaneous act of dismantling racial injustice and constructing educational possibilities across P–20 systems.” This year’s theme asks researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to “imagine boldly what education spaces free of racial injustice can look like."

Dr. Tyrone Howard is among the new members of the Board of Directors at the Spencer Foundation.