Jessica (she/her/ella) engages in practice-informed qualitative and quantitative research centering on how to best support vulnerable Latino families and illuminating within-group differences among Latino communities. She is committed to research that includes partnerships with community providers to develop sustainable, culturally responsive interventions. Jessica's work focuses on supporting multi-level factors that affect parent-child relationships particularly among those served by the child welfare system and other public agencies.

As a licensed clinical social worker, Jessica brings her extensive practice experience in serving children and families in community mental health and medical settings to inform her research and teaching. Her research interests focus on the promotion of family well-being through strengthening parenting practices, supporting parent-child relationships, and understanding cultural and contextual factors that influence parenting beliefs.

Teaching interests: social work practice with groups, individuals and families, and communities and organizations; beginning social work practice; advanced practice: child and adolescent mental health; introduction to oppression and privilege. Jessica uses a pedagogical approach grounded in critical race theory and social constructivism and centers liberatory practice

In her research, teaching, and service Jessica is dedicated to advancing the field of social work in a way that gives voice to the history, politics, culture, legacies, and urgent needs of Latino communities.