The Field Center

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Happy, healthy, and protected children and families

The Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research brings together diverse content experts at the University of Pennsylvania to conduct interdisciplinary initiatives that promote child and family wellbeing.

“Just Being There, Like a Shoulder to Lean On”

We conducted research to amplify the voices of young adults with foster care experience to raise awareness about the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health and how stakeholders can help. The findings can inform philanthropists, practitioners, and policymakers in better responding to the needs of young people.

The Experiences of Foster Youth During COVID-19

Our study provides practitioners, policymakers, and advocates with data and recommendations for a national response to COVID-19 as it affects older youth in foster care and those aged out of foster care.

Our Values

We have 4 core values

Our Mission

The Field Center engages in interdisciplinary research, policy, advocacy, and education to promote best practices in creating and sustaining a child and family welfare and support system that is responsive to the needs of diverse families and communities.

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Our Vision

Children are loved and nurtured and families have access to the resources they need to thrive.

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Meet our Managing Faculty Director

Johanna Greeson, PhD, MSS, MLSP is an Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice and the Managing Faculty Director of the Field Center. Dr. Greeson is fervently dedicated to transforming the child welfare system, leveraging research to forge brighter futures for youth aging out of foster care, and harnessing the profound impact of connections with caring adults for all vulnerable youth. Her research agenda, driven by both evidence and empathy, focuses on resilience and the strengths that empower foster youth to not merely survive but thrive. Dr. Greeson has developed a theory-based and research-informed intervention for older youth in foster care, Caring Adults ‘R’ Everywhere (C.A.R.E.), focused on the cultivation of resilience through the development of supportive adult relationships for older youth in care.
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The Field Center’s Aging Out Podcast

The Field Center’s Aging Out Podcast shares critical conversations with professionals shaping the future of child welfare. The series features in-depth interviews with leading advocates, policy experts, and social services professionals, offering insights into the complexities of the foster care system and child welfare policy, with a focus on older youth and the transition to adulthood.

Support Us, Support Children

Children and families need resources and support to thrive. Learn more about supporting our mission to promote best practices and inform policy in the systems that young people access through intentional, interdisciplinary, and collaborative research.

Keep In Touch With Us

Sign up for our mailing list to receive our child welfare newsletters and notifications of upcoming conferences and trainings.