The Center on Immigration and Child Welfare Initiative (CICW) has been awarded funding from the Walter S. Johnson Foundation to launch a two-year statewide initiative, “Empowering Child Welfare Practice at the Intersections of Immigration and Child Wellbeing,” led by Dr. Kristina Lovato.
This project brings together child welfare practitioners, legal service providers, and immigrant families to advance culturally responsive and trauma-informed practice across California. Over the next two years, the CICW research team will:
- Conduct a comprehensive statewide needs assessment to understand the challenges and strengths of counties serving immigrant children and families.
- Develop and deliver evidence-based, trauma-informed training for up to 225 child welfare professionals, including frontline workers, supervisors, and administrators.
- Produce actionable practice briefs, tools, and peer-reviewed publications to support counties in translating policy guidance into everyday practice.
By centering the lived experiences of directly impacted families and the insights of frontline practitioners, this initiative aims to close critical gaps between policy and implementation, strengthening legal, cultural, and mental health supports for immigrant children and families across the state. For more information, please contact: kristina.lovato@berkeley.edu.
Participate in the Study
We invite child welfare professionals and legal services practitioners to participate in this research study exploring how the public child welfare system can better support immigrant families and children in California. Your insights will help inform training, practice, and policy innovations that promote culturally responsive and equitable services for immigrant communities.
Who can participate?
We are seeking professionals who meet the following criteria:
- Professionals currently or previously working in child welfare or legal services in California
- Experience serving immigrant or mixed-status families involved with the public child welfare system
What is involved?
Participation includes:
- A confidential one-on-one interview (45–60 minutes) conducted via Zoom or in person
- Discussion of your professional experiences, challenges, and recommendations for improving service delivery and family wellbeing
- Your participation is completely voluntary, confidential, and safe
- Participants will receive a $30 gift card as appreciation for their time
How to enroll?
If you meet the criteria and would like to participate, or if you have questions about the study, please contact: childwelfarefamilyvoices@gmail.com
Know someone who might be interested?
If you know other child welfare professionals or legal services practitioners in California who have experience serving immigrant or mixed-status families, we would greatly appreciate you sharing this opportunity with them. They can reach out directly to childwelfarefamilyvoices@gmail.com to learn more.
IRB Approved Study – UC Berkeley – CPHS # (2025-12-19199)
