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.

Johanna Greeson headshot

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. Her published work has been cited over 3,000 times. 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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Expert Recommendations on Improving Services to Youth Aging Out of Foster Care: Lessons from the Pandemic and Beyond

Last year, I joined a research team at the Field Center to examine the mental health challenges experienced by older youth in and aged out of foster care during COVID-19 and the buffers they employed to regulate their emotions.

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.