Fellows
The Fellowship welcomes professionals and paraprofessionals from all different disciplines whose work directly or indirectly impacts young children and their families. Fellows are at all stages of their career, with various educational backgrounds.
Applicants working in an outside of LA County are invited to apply.
How Fellows are impacted by the Fellowship
Confidence and Leadership Skills
“My biggest growth was placing myself in uncomfortable situations such as talking in big groups. I do not like public speaking and being vulnerable with others. The Fellowship was very warm and caring which made it easy to want to share and challenge myself. I am walking away with confidence in my ability to participate and share my voice in big crowds, especially when around others who share similar passions.”
“I think I have gained confidence in this field and I was able to gain a promotion that I may not have applied for had it not been for the support of the Fellowship and my sense of accomplishment from participating.”
“The Fellowship provides opportunities for participants to develop leadership skills and improve their communication abilities. Through mentorship, presentations, and group projects, individuals can learn how to effectively lead teams, communicate their ideas, and influence others. These skills are crucial for driving projects forward, collaborating with others, and making a lasting impact on their work.”
Connection and a Network of Support
“Working with this group of professionals and humans with tremendous compassion, knowledge, and consistency has been a highlight of my career thus far.”
“The Fellowship had so many strengths! It was such a supportive space for participants and really brought the group together all on Zoom which is no small feat. It promoted a sense of connection, tolerance, respect, and gave space for people to share and be inspired by each other’s work and different fields.”
“The Fellowship brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a common passion or interest. As a result, I developed a strong network of like-minded professionals and collaborators. Building these connections can open doors to new opportunities, partnerships, and collaborations, which can greatly impact my work.”
Exploration of Professional Identity
“Upon starting the Fellowship, I was doubtful about whether I was in the right place. I thought about how I did not hold a higher position like other Fellows. However, I realized that my opinions and experiences were as valid as everyone else’s.”
“The Fellowship created a space where we could all be our authentic selves and reflect on our experiences within and outside of the Fellowship. It felt great to feel seen in a professional capacity as well as a human being.”
“I have learned that I am worthy of been seen and heard, in personal and professional life. I’ve learned so [many] life lessons and words of wisdom from others who have been in the field more than me. I’ve accepted this work is hard, but there are others striving to make a change and it does not have to be a heavy burden. There is strength and humility in asking for help, collaboration, and setting boundaries.”
Timely and Practical Knowledge and Skills
“The Fellowship topics often addressed areas of learning that are weak in standard mental health settings. Given the current climate, I am now seeing how prophetic and crucial your topics were. Issues of bias, equity, and the value of different points of view are crucial to the ethical service of young children and their families.”
“In my role as a parent educator, I felt that the presentations that will have an impact on the work and service I provide would be SEEDS, fatherhood engagement, brain development, and occupational therapy to name a few. Because I do direct work with both parents and their children, having these tools have benefitted in creating new experiences during visits and considering members of the family who may not be highlighted.”
“I will be taking away lessons from each presentation, with the most impactful being on immigrant families, in-home interventions, the importance of dads in development, being outdoors in nature, and disparities in prenatal access and treatment for women of color.”
Opportunity to Explore and Engage in Wellbeing Practices
“I often take on a lot more than I possibly can, disregarding my personal wellbeing. All through the Fellowship, I was reminded that we all do so much, so in order to keep providing the families we work with the quality services they deserve, we must first take care of ourselves. If we are happy and healthy, we are in the best possible position to serve others and avoid burnout.”
“The activities like yoga and music were so helpful after being in front of the computer and they were great tools.”
“I am inspired to take better care of my team and their needs because of the example displayed within the Fellowship.”