Blueprint: Children and Fire
The Spring 2025 issue of UCLA’s Blueprint magazine, now available in print and online, delves into the critical issues of foster care and the January 2025 wildfires’ effects on children and communities in Los Angeles County. This issue offers compelling research and insights, featuring contributions from UCLA and valued partners to drive meaningful dialogue on these pressing challenges.
FEATURES INCLUDE:
Reforming Foster Care
California Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, a former foster youth, shares with Blueprint’s Molly Selvin his mission to transform California’s foster care systems, while also tackling environmental and civil rights challenges.
Addressing Childhood Trauma
Dr. Shannon Thyne leads UCAAN’s efforts to screen for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), using evidence-based tools to identify and support children facing trauma, as explored by Ira Gorawara.
Tracking Prop. 28 Funds
Proposition 28, passed in 2022, allocates $1 billion annually for arts education in California schools, but a UCLA study reveals uneven implementation across Los Angeles County districts. Jon Regardie investigates.
Leading CASA/LA
Charity Chandler-Cole, a former foster youth, leads CASA/LA with a mission to challenge systemic racism and reduce family separations, advocating for a child welfare system that prioritizes support and reunification over punishment. A special report by Robert Greene.
How 3 former foster youth found community
Justin Monk, Anna James, and Soraya Leonard, UCLA students with foster care backgrounds, recently reflected on their experiences in the Bruin Guardian Scholars (BGS) program, which supports their academic and personal success through scholarships, priority enrollment, free textbooks, housing aid, and a tight-knit community. Founded in 2009, BGS helps system-impacted students navigate college with resources and mentorship, fostering resilience and advocacy.
Competition winners design housing models for L.A.’s vacant land
The Small Lots, Big Impacts initiative, a partnership between the city of Los Angeles, UCLA’s cityLAB, and LA4LA, announced winners of its global design competition, where more than 350 architects created innovative starter home models for vacant city-owned lots to address L.A.’s housing shortage, worsened by January 2025 wildfires. Winners will collaborate with developers this summer to build prototype homes, showcasing affordable, sustainable designs to inspire development on thousands of similar private lots. Visit UCLA’s cityLAB website for winning submissions and details.
City leaders see LA28 Games as pathway to transit improvements
As the region prepares to host the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics, local leaders prioritize enhancing public transit as a key goal for the Games. Speaking at a summit of transportation experts, L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn stressed the need for a positive transit experience to encourage Angelenos to use Metro, which plans to add 2,700 buses and implement dedicated bus lanes to meet increased demand during the Games. Accessibility also remains a focus, with Paralympian Candace Cable advocating for improved infrastructure to support mobility for all. Despite concerns over potential federal funding challenges, Hahn said she remains optimistic about Los Angeles's ability to shine on the global stage.
Latino Policy Day
In May, the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute hosted its inaugural Latino Policy Day, bringing together more than 200 faculty, students, alumni, and policy leaders to address critical issues facing Latino communities. The event showcased research on community college bachelor’s degree programs, refinancing challenges for Latino and Black homeowners, and health insurance access for undocumented immigrants. Each presentation was followed by panel discussions, and each produced policy recommendations. California Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula concluded by encouraging participants to engage in democracy and advocate for their communities.
Human rights forum at UCLA
Thought leaders gathered at UCLA’s Luskin Conference Center for the 2025 Human Rights and Humanitarian Forum, focusing on pressing global challenges such as violent conflicts, refugee crises, economic downturns, and climate change. The event, hosted by The Promise Institute for Human Rights and the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative, featured activists, policymakers, and scholars, including keynote speakers Chelsea Clinton (vice chair of the Clinton Foundation), Peter Laugharn (President and CEO of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation), and Leymah Gbowee (women’s rights activist and winner of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize). UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk acknowledged the dedicated individuals tackling humanitarian crises and seeking evidence-based, systemic change and emphasized the
importance of local-global connections. Throughout the forum, participants explored innovative strategies to advance peace, justice, and human dignity, underscoring the need for collaboration and resilience in facing today’s crises.
Alumna Nathalie Rayes named 2025 Luskin Commencement Speaker
Nathalie Rayes '96, M.P.P. '99, a transformational leader and the 10th U.S. Ambassador to Croatia, will deliver the keynote address at UCLA Luskin's commencement ceremonies on June 13, 2025. A double Bruin with a strong background in public service and diplomacy, Rayes has received numerous accolades, including recognition as one of the 25 most powerful Latinas in the U.S. She emphasizes the importance of hope, hard work, and perseverance in her career, inspiring future Luskin graduates as a distinguished role model.
UC continues multi-year minimum wage increases for employees
The University of California announced wage increases for its employees, with health care workers set to earn a minimum of $24/hour starting July 1, 2025, and $25/hour by July 1, 2026, following the passage of Senate Bill 525. All employees in the AFSCME and UPTE units will also reach the $25/hour mark by July 1, 2025. Additionally, starting July 1, 2025, UC will expand overtime eligibility for employees earning under $74,880 annually, further supporting its workforce. These actions align with UC's commitment to fair compensation and enhanced employee benefits, including expanded paid sick leave.
What the War on Poverty did for America
A recent UCLA report examined the lasting impact of the War on Poverty programs initiated in the 1960s and 1970s, and concluded that these efforts significantly reduced poverty and enhanced upward mobility for millions of Americans. The study, led by economist Martha Bailey, looked at interventions such as Head Start and Food Stamps, and found that they resulted in higher educational attainment, better employment outcomes, and reduced reliance on public assistance for those who benefited during childhood. These findings offer clear evidence that the investments in early education and community support systems not only fostered immediate relief but also produced enduring socio-economic advantages – lessons of great relevance as Congress debates profound cuts to the modern social
safety net.
L.A. area kids stretch STEM skills
On May 31, UC STEM Fest welcomed students to engage in hands-on experiments at the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex in Crenshaw, providing a free interactive experience. UCLA, MESA, and STEM Global Action organized the community event, during which youngsters enjoyed building toy cars and flying drones, among other activities, with guidance from professionals and college students in STEM fields.
UCLA virtual event explores reproductive science and care innovations
The “Let’s Talk Science: The Science of Reproduction and the Future of Reproductive Care” webinar, held on May 15, convened four UCLA experts in reproductive endocrinology, scientific research, genetic testing, and reproductive rights law to discuss IVF and emerging reproductive technologies. They evaluated the science, practice, and policy defining IVF’s role in advancing reproductive health.
UCLA Connects: Bruin Talks The day before Chancellor Frenk’s inauguration, a symposium featuring six UCLA scholars and artists will highlight the university’s mission of education and research.
Watch the livestream
Wednesday, June 4
3:30 to 5 p.m.
Inauguration of Chancellor Julio Frenk As he officially takes over UCLA’s leadership, Chancellor Frenk will share a collective vision of the university’s future.
Watch the livestream
Thursday, June 5
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Sustainable Bruin Move Out UCLA joins with local nonprofits and government entities for two sustainable move-out events, allowing students to donate items and responsibly discard waste. Volunteer and join the effort!
On campus - Residence halls
Wednesday, June 11
12 to 4 p.m.
Off campus - North Westwood Village
Thursday, June 12
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement The new episode examines how generative AI transforms education, with Digital Promise CEO Jean-Claude Brizard discussing its opportunities and challenges for students, educators, and parents.
Autism advocacy Russell Lehmann, an international disability rights advocate at UCLA's Tarjan Center, shares his story as an individual with autism, highlighting both the challenges he faced growing up as well as the transformative power of education. Diagnosed with autism at 12, Lehmann struggled with OCD and phobias, dropping out of school and spending time in a psychiatric unit. Today, he co-facilitates the course "Disability Studies: Perspectives on Autism and Neurodiversity," which seeks to reframe perceptions of autism and promote self-empowerment among autistic individuals. Lehmann emphasizes the importance of understanding autism as part of the human experience, urging society to provide accommodations rather than assign blame.
Discover how UCLA's students, staff, and faculty are enhancing the well-being of Greater Los Angeles through UCLA Community Partnerships.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
The UCLA Pritzker Center for Strengthening Children and Familiesunites a multidisciplinary network across campus and throughout L.A. County to identify prevention strategies that safely reduce the need for foster care, while supporting equitable reform to our child welfare system.
UCLA Pritzker Center's Foster Youth Housing Summit
In collaboration with Good River Partners, and with support from the Unihealth Foundation and Wells Fargo, the UCLA Pritzker Center hosted 100 guests on campus to discuss housing preferences among former foster youth. Representatives from several county and state elected offices were present at this May 28 event. A new brief
explores preferred locations, amenities of interest, ideal living arrangements and barriers to securing housing for former foster youth.
