SOCIAL WORK ABROAD - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
Carla Bykowski, MSW has over twenty years of experience in programs serving children, families, and schools in diverse...
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
Dr. Tasha Y. Willis graduated with a bachelors in International Studies (Kenyon College), a master's in social service... Read More.
Dr. Tasha Y. Willis graduated with a bachelors in International Studies (Kenyon College); a master's in social service administration (University of Chicago) and her doctorate in Education and Leadership (CSU, Long Beach). Her dissertation research used an intersectional lens to explore racial and gender micro-aggressions experienced by female African American community college students who studied abroad. She has worked in public education on social justice issues; with youth, communities and workplaces on human relations issues and institutional oppression; and in social work field education assisting students in applying theory in their internships. She is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at CSU,Los Angeles. Tasha's research agenda includes international social work education, intercultural communication/intergroup dialogue, personal and professional identity development, and educational equity and access issues. Her personal agenda includes raising her self and her son to be global citizens in pursuit of well-being, equity and peace for all (with equal parts joy, laughter, and music!).
Grace Orpilla has 12 years of experience as a lecturer and faculty member at California State University Los Angeles... Read More.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Iris Rojas Bertrand is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker with an occupation as a Share and Care counselor at... Read More.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
- Founder and Executive Director of Families Uniting Families ( 2004 ) - a 501 ( C ) 3
James Schrage is the founder and Executive Director of Families Uniting Families (2004) - a 501(c)3 non-profit that is license... Read More.
James Schrage is the founder and Executive Director of Families Uniting Families (2004) - a 501(c)3 non-profit that is licensed by the State of California to provide foster care services in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Prior to joining Families Uniting Families, James worked in an executive level position for 9 years at another foster family agency (1995-2004). Preceding this he worked as a Children's Social Worker for Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (1992-1994). James is also a member of the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) team that conducts four year reviews sanctioned by the 1994 Amendments to the Social Security Act and administered by the Children's Bureau. James has participated as a CFSR federal team member for state reviews of Montana (2008), Illinois (2009), and Puerto Rico (2010). James currently teaches at the School of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach (2002-present). He participated in the creation of an international social work partnership with faculty at UCLA, CSULA, CSULB, and the University of Ghana, Accra (2007) which eventually transformed into SWAP. He has lived and traveled extensively in Central America and is a fluent Spanish speaker. In March 2012, James was honored by the California State University, Long Beach - School of Social Work by receiving the Annual Distinguished Alumnus for excellence in Social Work. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from University of California, Irvine (1990) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from California State University, Long Beach (1993).
Luz Elena earned a Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in older adults and families from Cal State Los... Read More.
Luz Elena earned a Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in older adults and families from Cal State Los Angeles in 2015. Luz has six years of work experience in the non-profit sector and background in education and child protection. Luz earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Services in 2011 and has worked for programs serving children, families and older adults in diverse communities. Since 2016, she has been an adjunct counselor/faculty at Santa Ana Community College. Luz Elena's passion for international exchange opportunities arose after being part of the Social Work Abroad Program (SWAP) in 2014. After her return, she became involved in the International Social Work Caucus at California State University Los Angeles where she served as a president for one semester. Luz has a positive attitude and enjoys being helpful to students, clients, volunteers, and her peers.
Rosalina de Casas is a Psychiatric Social Worker for the Los Angeles Unified School District. She earned a Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in Children, Youth and Families from California State University, Long Beach in 2016 and a Bachelor of Arts in Chicano Studies and Psychology from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1995. As a MSW student, she participated in SWAP's Internship Program in Costa Rica in 2015 for 6 weeks and later advanced her skills by co-facilitating SWAP's Costa Rica Program as a trainee in 2015 and as a full facilitator in 2016. She joined the Board of Directors in 2016. Rosalina has been a tremendous asset in the administration of all facets of program development and clinical judgment and in her commitment to SWAP's mission to give students international learning opportunities.
Rosalina de Casas is a Psychiatric Social Worker for the Los Angeles Unified School District. She earned her Master... Read More.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Board
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Sara Ustabas is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over ten years of professional field experience including medical... Read More.