The Illusion of Progress: Why Good Legislation Isn't Always Enough
Does passing legislation mean we've achieved social progress? Reflecting on California's efforts to improve college housing for former foster youth, I explore the difference between equality and equity, the limitations of policy implementation, and why meaningful social change requires more than good intentions—it requires evidence of real improvements in people's lives.
When Does Punishment End? Rethinking Justice, Rehabilitation, and Second Chances
When someone completes a criminal sentence, has their punishment truly ended? Reflecting on my participation in the Time Done social justice campaign, I examine the lasting barriers associated with criminal convictions, the tension between accountability and rehabilitation, and what it means for society to genuinely believe in second chances.
What Does It Really Take to Keep Schools Safe?
What does it really take to keep schools safe? Reflecting on my graduate research and experience as a psychiatric social worker, I explore why school violence prevention requires more than lockdowns and discipline—and how multidisciplinary threat assessment, early intervention, and student connection contribute to safer school communities.
The Patterns We Inherit
Some of the patterns we carry began long before we were born. Reflecting on my own family history, I explore how intergenerational trauma, childhood experiences, and relationships shape who we become—and how self-awareness, compassion, and intentional choices can help us break cycles and create a different future.
Trauma, Healing, and the Power of Being Seen
How do childhood trauma, relationships, and our environments shape who we become? Reflecting on my experiences growing up in foster care, I explore the biopsychosocial model, emotional healing, the importance of supportive relationships, and how one school social worker helped me recognize my dignity and worth.
Why Foster Youth Deserve More Than a Deadline
What happens when foster care support ends before a young person is ready for independence? Drawing from my personal experience aging out of foster care and a 2017 conversation with Karen Bass, I explore California's AB 12 legislation, the challenges facing transition-age foster youth, and why lived experience must help shape social work policy and advocacy.
How Nonprofit Budgets Impact Social Workers and the Communities They Serve
How can nonprofit organizations pay social workers fairly while maintaining quality services? Drawing from a graduate social work budgeting exercise, I explore the ethical challenges of nonprofit funding, employee compensation, organizational sustainability, and the difficult decisions that influence care for vulnerable communities.
Gentrification, Homelessness, and the Fight for Community Identity
Behind Venice, California's beautiful canals, luxury homes, and artistic culture lies a complex story of gentrification, homelessness, and housing inequality. Reflecting on my 2017 community assessment, I explore how economic development can reshape neighborhoods, displace longtime residents, and challenge community identity—and why social work advocacy is essential to promoting social justice and belonging.
How Childhood, Adversity, and Resilience Shape Who We Become
How do childhood experiences, family separation, poverty, and discrimination shape who we become? Through a life history interview, I explore the connections between adversity, attachment, resilience, and identity—and reflect on what one woman's remarkable story taught me about human development and social work.
Can Cognitive Processing Therapy Help Youth Recover From Trauma?
How can evidence-based therapy help youth in foster care recover from trauma? Exploring Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), PTSD, and the potential of group treatment, this article examines the unique emotional, developmental, and systemic needs of foster youth and the importance of individualized, trauma-informed care.