FOSTERING PHOTOVOICE
An Arts-Based Empowerment Project for Former Foster Youth and UCLA Research Study
MISSION OF THE PROJECT
MISSION OF THE PROJECT
A team of UCLA graduate and undergraduate students collaborated with a group of young people in Los Angeles on a Photovoice research project about experiences in foster care. Photovoice is an arts-based research method that seeks to empower participants through the use of photography and analytical discussions. Our goal is to understand the experiences of former foster youth and their recommendations for maintaining family and sibling connections during and after care.
A team of UCLA graduate and undergraduate students collaborated with a group of young people in Los Angeles on a Photovoice research project about experiences in foster care. Photovoice is an arts-based research method that seeks to empower participants through the use of photography and analytical discussions. Our goal is to understand the experiences of former foster youth and their recommendations for maintaining family and sibling connections during and after care.
EMPOWERMENT
EMPOWERMENT
The research collective democratically made all decisions regarding the project, from the research question to how their work would be disseminated later.
COLLABORATION
COLLABORATION
Our team connected with participants through trauma-informed conversations regarding lived-experiences with the child welfare system.
PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHY
Participants were trained in photography as a visual medium and how to use their study-provided cameras by our co-investigator, Abigail Rubtsova.
ADVOCACY
ADVOCACY
The team is developing policy recommendations concerning children and sibling relationships in the foster care system based on Photovoice sessions and focus groups.