Research & Projects

Photo by Surface on Unsplash 

Project led by UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs in partnership with California State University, Fullerton and others
Research Team: Ron Avi Astor (Advisor), Rami Benbenishty, Gordon Capp, and Kate Watson

Objectives

This project was launched in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting school closures. Phase 1 (2020-2021) consisted of a national survey of school social workers’ personal and professional experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. I collaborated with the team on instrument development, analyses, writing a technical report and policy brief, conference abstracts and presentations, and journal articles. 

Phase 2 (2022-2024) consisted of a follow-up survey and in-depth interviews addressing school climate, safety, and trauma-informed approaches. My role in phase 2 was principal investigator and the research formed the basis of my dissertation. 

Results

First phase results were reported in a technical report and policy brief, and presented in a Congressional briefing by principal investigator, Ron Avi Astor.  The first paper of Phase 2 results has been published. Other manuscripts are under review or in preparation.

Photo by Redd F on Unsplash 

In partnership with a network of nonprofit organizations that serve youth in the foster care system across California, a team of UCLA Social Welfare students launched a survey to understand how the needs of youth, volunteers, and staff have changed since 2020 and to what extent they are experiencing trauma-informed approaches in their settings.

Research team: Kate Watson (PI), Juan J. Nunez, Yesi Camacho Torres, Anthony A. Garcia
Advisor: Khush Cooper, PhD

Objectives

The initial project goal was to validate a trauma-informed climate survey I designed. In speaking with executive directors and board members within the nonprofit network, I was introduced to a member of the statewide coordinating body who wanted to make the project a statewide initiative to better understand staff and volunteer needs since 2020 and to determine the extent to which trauma-informed practices were being incorporated into the agencies.

Status

Data collection has completed. Manuscripts are in preparation and under review.

Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash 

This summer, a team of UCLA graduate and undergraduate students will lead young people with foster care experience in the creation of a research project using photography to share their views and experiences during and after care. 

Research team: Kate Watson (PI), Yesi Camacho Torres, Abigail Rubtsova Henderson, and Amanda Solis
Advisor: Todd Franke, PhD

Objectives

The goal of this project is to understand the experiences of youth with foster care experience. Through Photovoice, the research collective will develop one or more research questions, photo prompts to guide the production of photographs, and then the research team will guide them in developing captions, identifying common themes, and producing an exhibition to increase public awareness about their experiences. 

Status

Initial data collection is complete. Follow-up interviews are being scheduled.  One manuscript is under review and others are in preparation. We exhibited this work in four locations during 2024 and have a fifth exhibition scheduled in early 2025. Please see the project website for updates.

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

Project 4

APA Violence Against Educators and School Personnel Surveys

In 2020, the APA Task Force on Violence Against Educators and School Personnel launched a survey to understand school staff members' experiences with violence pre- and post-COVID. This work continued in two additional waves of data collection.

Results

First phase results were reported in a technical report and policy brief. Journal articles are in the process of being written and submitted for review. To date, I have co-authored one publication and three more manuscripts are in progress.