Inclusive Education: Improving Academic Success and Promoting Wellness for Afghan and Ukrainian Refugee Students

About the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH)

The Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH), a center of the Public Health Institute (PHI), is at the forefront of evidence-based, culturally congruent, and community-driven projects to promote and improve the health and well-being of immigrants and refugees. Our mission at CIRH is to actively bridge gaps in public health programs for immigrants and refugees. Drawing from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, we commit to providing comprehensive, high-quality programs tailored to the unique needs of these communities. Through education, advocacy, and direct support, we empower our target communities with essential knowledge and resources, so that they may not only survive but thrive in their new environments. In all endeavors we uphold the principles of equity, compassion, and excellence, championing a brighter and healthier future for every immigrant and refugee.

About the Conference

This conference marks CIRH's first in-person event, providing a unique opportunity for direct stakeholder collaboration, information sharing, and community engagement. The gathering will bring together Afghan Refugee School Impact-Support to Schools (ARSI—S2S) and Ukrainian Refugee School Impact (URSI) partners, including School Districts, community-based organizations (CBOs), refugees, community members, Federal, State, County, and other relevant stakeholders to improve academic success and promote wellness for students and their families. This event will provide a space for stakeholders to gather in person and share what they have learned in implementing ARSI—S2S, URSI, or similar activities for newcomer students and families (i.e. successes, challenges), ideas they have for program implementation, and a space to learn more about Afghan and Ukrainian refugee populations.

Featured Topics

The Current State of Afghan and Ukrainian Refugee School-Aged Children in California
The State’s Role in Supporting Refugee Students, with an Emphasis on Afghan and Ukrainian Students and Families
Mental Health Support for Refugee Children: Approaches and Best Practices
Designing Inclusive Educational Programs for Refugee Children
ARSI—S2S: LEA and CBO Implementation and Collaboration to Support Afghan Refugee Students and Their Families
URSI: LEA and CBO Implementation and Collaboration to Support Ukrainian Refugee Students and Their Families

Learning Objectives

By the end of this conference, participants will be able to:

Understand and explain the current state of Afghan and Ukrainian refugee school-aged children in California
Identify new ways to support refugee students’ mental health and academic success
Understand and explain new methods to promote wellness for Afghan and Ukrainian refugee students and families
Discuss and identify ways to make educational programs more inclusive and accessible for refugee students
Understand and explain program activities and new methods for program implementation

Featured Speakers

Keynote Speaker: Lauren Markham, Writer & the Director of the Oakland International High School Learning Lab

Lauren Markham is a writer and educator working at the intersection of immigration and education. With a background in refugee resettlement and youth work, in 2007, she helped found Oakland International High School, a public school for recently arrived English Language Learner immigrant youth. She has written two books on immigration and her writing on justice issues has been published in The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Guardian, Mother Jones, and elsewhere.

Mélange Matthews, MPH, MCP, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, PHI

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mélange Matthews brings a wealth of expertise in management, planning, organizational support and policy analysis to PHI. Matthews is focused in part on ensuring PHI’s operational excellence and internal efficiency. “A strong internal foundation is vital to PHI’s success as a leading public health research, policy and advocacy organization,” Matthews said. With over two decades of public health experience, Matthews has served as the director and board chair of a number of local and statewide organizations. Matthews’ previous roles include acting director and chief operating officer for the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Community Development, senior legislative planner for the San Francisco Department of Public Health; board member of the Regional Poison Control Center and member of the California Senate Medicaid Blue Ribbon Committee. As a consultant, Matthews has nationally provided strategic planning and organizational support to foundations and nonprofits. She also taught critical thinking and contemporary health issues at San Francisco State University. Matthews holds the degrees of Master of Public Health and Master of City and Regional Planning from the University of California at Berkeley. She was named a Top 100 Chief Operating Officers of 2022 by Alumni Spotlight.

Carolina Sheinfeld, Office of Immigrant Youth Chief, CDSS

Carolina Sheinfeld is the Chief of the first ever Office of Immigrant Youth at the California Department of Social Services. The Office of Immigrant Youth within CDSS’ Office of Equity was established to meet the integration needs of immigrant youth, including highly vulnerable populations like unaccompanied children. In her new capacity, Carolina leads policy and program developments that cross multiple systems of care including immigration, child welfare, licensing, education, and health care.

Carolina has a passion for humanitarian assistance and social justice and for the past two decades has built strong connections and strategic partnerships across the immigrant and refugee rights ecosystem. Carolina grew up in Spain and Venezuela and later moved to Los Angeles where she led the Immigrant Relations Office at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) (2019-2022) and coordinated the Torture Survivors Project for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (2003-2018). In addition to improving the lives of immigrants and refugees whom she serves directly, Carolina is also driven by a desire to influence public diplomacy and to cultivate inter-cultural relations.

Carolina lives in Los Angeles County with her partner, 6-year-old daughter, and their family dog Churro. She is an avid trail runner and volunteers her time supporting different professional networks in the U.S., Canada and Germany.

Abdi Abdillahi, California State Refugee Coordinator and Refugee Programs Bureau Chief, CDSS

Abdi Abdillahi, Refugee Programs Bureau (RPB) Chief and the California State Refugee Coordinator (SRC). Abdi oversees the federal funding for refugee services and is responsible for implementing the State Plan for refugee resettlement in CA. This includes the administration and development of refugee programs which includes the Refugee Cash Assistance, policies, and procedures to ensure refugees and other Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) populations receive the services they need to become self-sufficient.

As the SRC, Abdi also coordinates with public and private resources for refugees. He leads external communications with federal partners (ORR, PRM, and other federal agencies) and internal communications with state agency/department partners. He also monitors international, federal, and state policies and impact on RPB and refugee populations; performs one-on-one consultation with the California Resettlement Agencies (RAs), representation/participation in the State Coordinators of Refugee Resettlement (SCORR) and other federal partners meetings.

In his previous role with the RPB, Abdi also served as the Policy and Programs Section Chief with the RPB in which he oversees the implementation of the policies and procedures of the refugee programs and services.

Prior to joining the state, Abdi started his public service career in 2005 with the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency where he served across various programs, including CalWORKs, Welfare-to-Work/Quality Assurance, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and Child Welfare Services. While he was with the San Diego County, he also served as the County Refugee Coordinator (CRC) and concurrently served as the Refugee Employment Services Manager. Abdi offered policy and program expertise in service to refugees and immigrants and has established community networks with Resettlement Agencies, community-based organizations, and local, state, and federal partners. He has also served as the Chair and Vice-Chair of the State Advisory Council on Refugee Assistance and Services and as Chair of the County Refugee Coordinators (CRCs).

Abdi came to the United States as a refugee from Somalia over 35 years ago. As a former refugee who recognizes how important equity, social and economic disparities, and inclusive practices are to the refugee experience, he acutely appreciates the diverse needs of the refugee and immigrant community and continually fosters relationships with organizations and communities that provide services to refugees and immigrants across the state. Abdi earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Amina Sheik Mohamed, MPH, Director of Refugee Health Unit, Center for Community Health, University of California San Diego

A passionate leader, Amina Sheik Mohamed confronts the entrenched barriers to health equity faced by refugee and immigrant communities, striving tirelessly to uplift these populations' voices, perspectives, and needs. Through her transformational leadership at the UC San Diego Center for Community Health, Sheik Mohamed founded the Refugee Health Unit (RHU) and later collaboratively developed the San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition (SDRCC). These initiatives are being replicated throughout the state and share a foundational vision that Sheik Mohamed has initiated: the recognition that those impacted by health inequities must have a leading role in deciding how to address their needs. This ethos is key to Sheik Mohamed’s success as she promotes approaches that amplify community voices and ethnic community-based organizations to lead with solutions. Sheik Mohamed’s work, which incorporates initiatives ranging from peer-based workforces to community advocacy to systemic policy changes, elevates health outcomes and fosters a sense of belonging by ensuring that systems are responsive to and reflective of the communities they serve.

Sheik Mohamed is the proud recipient of many awards including 2024 The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards, the 2024 Prebys Foundation’s inaugural Leaders in Belonging, and the 2022 San Diego Women of Distinction. Sheik Mohamed holds a Master’s of Public Health from Walden University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Science from San Diego State University.

Mohammad Sediq Hazratzai, MD, MPH, Executive Director, PHI/CIRH

Mohammad Sediq Hazratzai, MD, MPH, is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH) and Sehat Initiative, both programs of the Public Health Institute (PHI). Dr. Sediq is a career public health professional and researcher with extensive experience focused on refugee and immigrant health. As a visiting professor at the University of California, Davis, Dr. Sediq teaches refugee health and comparative health systems. Dr. Sediq is also a credentialed Principal Investigator with PHI and an affiliate with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Institute for Global Health Sciences.

Dr. Sediq has worked with nonprofits, IOM (UN Migration Agency), and Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health in projects focused on the most vulnerable populations – refugees, migrants, Injecting Drug Users (IDUs), and HIV high-risk groups. Dr. Sediq is a board member with Upwardly Global, a leading nonprofit that helps immigrant, refugee, and asylee professionals rebuild their careers in the United States. Dr. Sediq speaks English, Dari/Farsi, and Pashto fluently and is an active community member in the Greater Sacramento region, helping diverse refugee groups. Dr. Sediq is a big fan of nature and national parks. If he is not in his home office, he spends most of his time with his two children.

Carolina Fortin, Newcomer Services Coordinator, Hayward Unified School District

Carolina Fortin, a first-generation immigrant hailing from Guadalajara, Jalisco, embarked on her American journey at the age of four alongside her parents and siblings. As an undocumented student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Carolina dedicated her efforts to establishing essential resources and support systems on her college campus for other undocumented students coming after her. In her current role as the Newcomer Services Coordinator for Hayward Unified School District, Carolina remains a beacon of support, providing essential programming, assistance, and resources to newcomer students and their families. Her unwavering dedication to others and fostering a welcoming environment exemplifies her profound commitment to the community.

Josefina Garcia, Family Engagement Outreach and Equity Specialist for Newcomers Services, Hayward Unified School District

Josefina Garcia was born in Castro Valley and raised in Hayward, CA. the heart of the Bay Area. She is a proud product of Hayward schools. Her current role is a Family Engagement Outreach and Equity Specialist for Newcomer Services in Hayward USD. She has served in the Hayward School District for 20 years as an Attendance Clerk at the elementary level. She has a passion for advocacy, as well as connecting students and families to resources in our community. In her current scope of work, her focus is on servicing students who have recently arrived in the country. She strives to provide all the necessary tools so students can be successful in Hayward. She always has the success of her students and families at the forefront and is very passionate about serving the community and fulfilling their needs.

Kathryn Winogura, Co-Director, BRFN

Kathryn has been working with the East Bay refugee and immigrant community for 30 years, and closely with the Afghan newcomer community since 2001. She brings knowledge of the refugee resettlement process and has also run programs to serve asylum-seekers and asylees from many parts of the world, including LGBTQ newcomers. She has led community engagement programs that have supported the resettlement process and has enabled the wider community to take part in welcoming newcomers. She is passionate about fostering a welcoming community for newcomers and boosting support for the extensive work BRFN does to empower newcomer clients.

Homa Habibullah, Case Manager, BRFN

Homa was born in Afghanistan and came to the U.S. in 2021 as a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holder. She has worked with non-profit organizations for the past 13 years in various roles, including as a program analyst at the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFP) where she managed a project in 26 provinces of Afghanistan focusing on combating violence against women and girls. Homa joined BRFN in March 2023 as a case manager and views her role as a dream come true where she can directly work with newcomers and support them to integrate into their communities. Homa has always believed that everyone should have equal opportunities, regardless of their social background. She finds her work to be very rewarding and is grateful for the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of newcomers. Homa holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Italy.

Zuhal Bahaduri, Co-Founder/E.D., The 5ive Pillars Organization

Zuhal Bahaduri, an Afghan-American and a by-product of the Refugee Act of the 90s, grew up in the East Bay Area after her family resettled in Hayward, California. She co-founded the 5ive Pillars Organization after the fall of Afghanistan, working to ensure Afghan newcomers were welcomed with dignity and respect during their resettlement. In under three years, the 5ive Pillars Organization has provided over $1 million in direct aid, helped bridge the digital divide by distributing more than 2,000 new HP Chromebooks, and supported newcomers across 18 Northern California cities with programs focusing in the most critical areas of Education, Tech, and Wellness. Zuhal, featured in major outlets like TIME, CNN, Washington Post, and Al-Jazeera, currently works as a Business Analyst for the San Francisco Department of Public Health in her day job.

Krystsina Shchelkunova, Executive Director, Slavic Refugee and Immigrant Service Org (SRISO)

Krystsina Shchelkunova is the Executive Director of the Slavic Refugee and Immigrant Service Organization (SRISO) and has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. She founded the SRISO in March of 2022 after the beginning of the War in Ukraine.

Krystsina was born in Minsk, Belarus, and immigrated to the United States of America six years ago. This experience helped familiarize her with the process of resettlement and transition to a new culture, such as learning a language, giving up an old way of life, growing new connections, and other challenges. Krystsina is very passionate about helping Ukrainian refugees settle in America to prevent other people from having the same experiences she did.

The mission of her organization, Slavic Refugee and Immigrant Services Organization, is to provide life assistance for families who were impacted by warfare within Ukrainian borders. They created a Facebook page, Helping Ukrainian Refugees in USA, where families can find a sponsor, so they are able to come to the United States. SRISO was originated and founded in San Diego. However, they are operating in Southern California by providing housing, transportation, clothing, groceries, and referrals to other Nonprofit and Government organizations that help newcomers apply for benefits and medical. Furthermore, upon partnerships with nonprofit organizations and resettlement agencies, altogether their collaboration can refer families to every state of the USA, so no Ukrainian refugees would be left unsponsored.

Jenny Smith, Newcomer/Refugee Coordinator, Elk Grove Unified School District

Jenny Smith is the Newcomer/Refugee Coordinator in Elk Grove Unified School District, where she serves with a team of multilingual colleagues to welcome new families to the school district. Elk Grove’s Newcomer Welcome Centers are information hubs for families new to the country and the US education system. Jenny is passionate about helping students and their caregivers acclimate by providing wrap-around support, family education, and community resource connections.

Lucy Bollinger, Program Specialist, Elk Grove Unified School District

Lucy started in education as a teacher and a principal in Oakland for many years. She started at Elk Grove Unified in leading the English Learner Services Department (now Multilingual Education). Lucy currently supports EGUSD's Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department as a program specialist overseeing family and staff academic and wellness support. Some of her current professional passions include accelerating access for newcomer and refugee families, advocating for multilingualism, elevating family affinity groups, and supporting Family Teacher Academic Teams. When she's not at work, you can find her enjoying the outdoors with her dog, buying plants, going out to new restaurants with friends, or singing along at concerts.

Narges Jalah, Special Projects Manager, CAIR-SV/CC

Narges Jalah, Special Projects Manager at CAIR-SV/CC and Civil Rights Advocate is dedicated to building strategic, scalable solutions for community empowerment. With a strong background in community engagement, nonprofit management, and program development, she and CAIR-SV/CC collaborate extensively with partner organizations and the community to provide culturally responsive services for newly arrived Afghan families.

Narges has helped oversee the implementation of youth leadership programs, Know Your Rights workshops, and capacity-building initiatives that have served over 1500 families and nearly 4000 children, in collaboration with local organizations in Sacramento.

In her role, Narges focuses on strategic planning, partner relationship management, and overseeing program delivery to ensure that families receive the tools and resources they need. Her work emphasizes the importance of sustainable support networks that empower refugee communities and foster integration.

With a passion for building effective community partnerships and advocating for civil rights, Narges is committed to enhancing program effectiveness through collaboration.

Omar Muhammadi, Senior Programs & Outreach Coordinator, CAIR-SV/CC

Omar Muhammadi is an Afghan American community advocate residing in Sacramento. After moving to the U.S. at a young age, he spent five years in the banking sector, where he became aware of the challenges faced by Afghan refugees. Inspired by their stories, Omar shifted his focus from profit to purpose and joined the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), where he now advocates for social justice and support for marginalized communities. His work reflects a deep commitment to empowering others and fostering inclusivity.

Hashim Wahdatyar, Project Officer, Center for Community Health, University of California San Diego

Hashim Wahdatyar, currently working for the Afghan Refugee School Impact (ARSI) & Afghan Youth Mentoring (AYM) Program at the Center for Community Health since March 2023, has over 15 years of experience in international organizations. His previous roles include United Nations' Regional Program Manager for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries, managing programs for the Middle East and South Asia at the Center for Civilians in Conflict, and serving as Program Director at the Institute of Current World Affairs in Washington, DC. He holds two master’s degrees: one in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid from Proyetco Institute in Spain and another in Political Science from George Mason University, Virginia, USA, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Politics and International Relations at the University of Leicester, UK.

Allison Miyashiro, MSW, MPH, Project Coordinator | Refugee Health Specialist, PHI/CIRH

Currently serving as the Project Coordinator for the Refugee Mental Health Initiative, Allison plays a pivotal role in advancing mental health accessibility for refugee and immigrant communities through program monitoring and evaluation, data analysis, and capacity-building training. Driven by a deep commitment to equitable healthcare, Allison is passionate about enhancing underserved populations’ access to mental healthcare by combining direct services with a strategic focus on structural changes. She also has experience in providing case management and therapy to refugees from the Middle East and Southeast Asia. She earned her Master of Public Health and Master of Social Welfare degrees from the University of California, Berkeley.

Wali Abdul Hanifzai, Executive Director, Qazizada Multicultural Therapy Clinic (QMTC)

Mr. Wali Abdul Hanifzai, the Executive Director at Qazizada Multicultural Therapy Clinic (QMTC), holds expertise in clinical counseling services related to Trauma/PTSD, Depression, Relationships, Anxiety, Stress, Grief and Loss. In his decade-long career in the mental health domain, he has been instrumental in catering to the psychological needs of the Afghan Refugee community in California, post the 2021 migration, through culturally and linguistically competent services. Mr. Hanifzai conducts regular community-based workshops and seminars aimed at reducing stigma. These sessions, held monthly, target South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Afghan refugee communities. The workshops cover pertinent topics including effective parenting techniques, stress, navigating divorce, single parenthood, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anger management, along with various other behavioral health-related subjects. His commitment lies in facilitating a non-judgmental environment where individuals can express their challenges freely and receive helpful tools to improve their well-being. Mr. Hanifzai is flueny in the following languages: English, Pashto, Dari, and Urdu/Hindi.

Mr. Hanifzai holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminology from California State University, Northridge, and a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California (USC). Currently, he is a Ph.D. candidate at Pepperdine University, participating in their Global Leadership and Change program. Furthermore, Mr. Hanifzai holds the esteemed position of Board President for the Afghan American Muslim Outreach (AAMO), a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of the Afghan diaspora, refugees, and immigrants. The organization provides mentorship, leadership skills, and cultural integration services for youth and families in the US.

Gulshan Yusufzai, Executive Director, MAS-SSF

Gulshan’s experience as a refugee from Afghanistan and multicultural exposure was brought about by living in three different countries during her early years. Her early childhood was interrupted by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the subsequent displacement of her family as refugees to Pakistan. She came to the United States as a nine-year-old and stayed in New York for a brief period before settling in Sacramento, California. She finished high school in Sacramento before going to the University of California, Davis to pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science and government.

It came relatively naturally to Gulshan to develop an interest in issues related to community development and social services catering to different underserved groups. To this end, in 2004-2008 she worked for the California Institute for Mental Health, a nonprofit specializing in mental health services through training, technical assistance, research, and policy development. From 2009 to 2012, she was the Deputy Director of the California Network of Mental Health Clients, a statewide non-profit focusing on advocacy and program development for the mental health client/consumer community.

Gulshan joined MAS-SSF in October 2013 as the first staff and as the Executive Director of MAS-SSF. She has over 20 years of experience in non-profit, administration, mental health policy, funding, and peer support. Her passion is in system change for the underserved community. She has increased the capacity of staff to over 25 staff and 101 Peer Support Specialists Counselors. Along the way, she has built a broad portfolio of community service offerings including the first-ever Peer Support program for Muslims in the U.S. and securing varied streams of funding through city, county, state, and federal levels.

In 2022, the Steinberg Institute, an independent, nonprofit public policy institute dedicated to advancing sound public policy and inspiring leadership on issues of mental health and substance use, named Gulshan as the 2022 Mental Health Champion.

Stephanie Vasquez, MSW, M.Ed., LAUSD

Stephanie Vasquez is a seasoned leader in program operations and student services, with over 25 years of experience at the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). With a background as a counselor, she brings extensive expertise in both social work and educational leadership. Passionate about supporting newcomers, Stephanie is dedicated to ensuring students thrive in an inclusive academic environment. As a Specialist for Wellness Programs and the Refugee Educational Support Program, she leads initiatives to advance student success, promote inclusivity, and foster meaningful community partnerships. Her commitment to enhancing students’ academic performance and well-being is demonstrated through her strategic leadership and collaboration with all stakeholders.

Dr. Soraya Fallah, Ed.D, MS, Student and Family Resources Navigator, LAUSD

Dr. Soraya Fallah combines advocacy, research, and personal experience in her work with refugee and newcomer students and families. Committed to equity and community engagement, she is part of the LAUSD Refugee Educational Support Program (RESPite) team that leads initiatives addressing the needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) populations, including Afghan, Ukrainian, Latinx, and other communities. Her work focuses on holistic wellness and resilience, collaborating with educators and organizations to ensure comprehensive support. As a human rights advocate and published researcher, Soraya employs research-based strategies that promote culturally competent practices and family-school partnerships. A humble recipient of several awards for promoting equity and inclusivity, she will share innovative approaches to supporting refugee and CLD students while fostering collaboration within schools and communities at this conference.

Aileen Salomon, Student and Family Resources Navigator, LAUSD

Aileen Salomon is a Student and Family Resources Navigator with the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she specializes in supporting refugee students and families, collaborating with school partners and organizations. With over 20 years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, and 2 years of experience in the Refugee Educational Support Program. Aileen Salomon has contributed to the program by pre-screening and qualifying students and providing case management to families. She is passionate about inclusivity, and supporting those students enrolled achieve their academic success for those enrolled in the RESPite program.

Student Panel Members

Farzad Fayez

Born in 2004 in Afghanistan, Farzad completed primary education in a high school with a focus on medical studies. Since 2021, Farzad has worked with the UN World Food Programme (UNWFP) on various humanitarian projects in the northern zone of Afghanistan, including Balkh, Mazar, and Kabul. Farzad served as a project coordinator monitor, site engineer assistant, and project monitor, contributing to efforts in collaboration with Shelter for Life (SFL) and the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance Organization. Since May 13, 2024, Farzad has been in the United States, continuing his journey of self-improvement.

Arina Sarwari Stadnyk

Arina Sarwari Stadnyk (she/they) is an Afghan-Ukrainian illustrator, linocut printmaker, and writer. Arina was born in Kharkiv and currently lives on unceded Ohlone Lisjan land. She aspires to create work that uplifts queer and refugee ancestry. Their drawings, linocut prints, poems, and lyrical essays celebrate diasporic memory and intergenerational joy. You can find some of her art on Instagram at @absurdistan__.

Yaroslav Kuzovlev

Yaroslav is a senior at George Washington High School in San Francisco. He moved to the U.S. from Ukraine about two years ago, and while learning a new language and adjusting to a new culture was tough at first, it’s been an experience that’s shaped him in so many ways.

He used to be really into football, and even though he’s no longer playing, the lessons he learned from the sport—like perseverance and teamwork—are still with him. These days, he’s found new ways to challenge himself and grow.

When he’s not in school, he loves spending time outdoors, traveling, and learning about different cultures. Moving to the U.S. opened his eyes to how big the world really is, and he’s always curious to explore more of it. Every new place and culture he experiences gives him a fresh perspective, and that’s something he really values.

His journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s made him stronger and more determined. Yaroslav is excited for what the future holds and can’t wait to see where it takes him.

Amina Chernova

Amina is a refugee from Ukraine. She has been living in the U.S. for more than 11 months and studying in high school for 9 months in San Francisco unified school district.

Yahia Nassimi

Yahia Nassimi is an 11th grader in Oakland, CA. He and his family are originally from Kabul, Afghanistan, and immigrated to the United States during the Fall of Kabul in 2021.

Closing Panel Speakers

Carolina Sheinfeld, Office of Immigrant Youth Chief, CDSS

Carolina Sheinfeld is the Chief of the first ever Office of Immigrant Youth at the California Department of Social Services. The Office of Immigrant Youth within CDSS’ Office of Equity was established to meet the integration needs of immigrant youth, including highly vulnerable populations like unaccompanied children. In her new capacity, Carolina leads policy and program developments that cross multiple systems of care including immigration, child welfare, licensing, education, and health care.

Carolina has a passion for humanitarian assistance and social justice and for the past two decades has built strong connections and strategic partnerships across the immigrant and refugee rights ecosystem. Carolina grew up in Spain and Venezuela and later moved to Los Angeles where she led the Immigrant Relations Office at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) (2019-2022) and coordinated the Torture Survivors Project for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (2003-2018). In addition to improving the lives of immigrants and refugees whom she serves directly, Carolina is also driven by a desire to influence public diplomacy and to cultivate intercultural relations.

Carolina lives in Los Angeles County with her partner, 6-year-old daughter, and their family dog Churro. She is an avid trail runner and volunteers her time supporting different professional networks in the U.S., Canada, and Germany.

Reba Meigs, MPA, Senior Project Officer, Center for Community Health, University of California San Diego

Reba Meigs, MPA has nearly 20 years of public health experience at the state and county level, as well as in academic and non-profit settings. She has extensive strategic planning and implementation experience in federal and state funding models, evaluation frameworks, training and skill development methodologies, and community collaboration. Reba has designed, implemented, and evaluated large-scale community-based programs and has provided evidence-based capacity-building guidance for health policies, legislative bills, systems, and environmental change initiatives throughout the state of California. During her career, Reba has done work for the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Public Health Institute, the Santa Clara and Marin County Public Health departments, and UC San Diego Pediatrics. In these roles, she provided trainings to local health departments, evaluation support for the CDPH Rethink Your Drink Campaign and managed projects to improve organizational wellness policies, healthy retail initiatives, youth empowerment projects, and school wellness frameworks. Reba has presented at national and state conferences such as the California Association for Health, Physical Activity and Dance, and the American Public Health Association (APHA), and her evidence-based programs have been published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. Reba lives in Santa Rosa with her husband and two sons. She enjoys hiking, swimming, gardening, yoga, and spending time with her family. Reba attended San Diego State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree and a Master of Public Administration degree.

Michele Estill, Director of English Learner Programs, Grossmont Union High School District

Michele Estill has served as the Director of English Learner Programs for the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) for more than 21 years. Supporting over 2,450 multilingual secondary students and more than 800 teachers in a high school only district of over 15 thousand students, Michele partners with teachers to help continue to build their learning and strengthen their instructional practice; helping to ensure English learners are welcomed, supported, and thrive in their academic environment. As Director of EL Programs she also oversees the International Newcomer Center, where they have welcomed more than 1,100 newcomer students to their district over the last four years.

Gulshan Yusufzai, Executive Director, MAS-SSF

Gulshan’s experience as a refugee from Afghanistan and multicultural exposure was brought about by living in three different countries during her early years. Her early childhood was interrupted by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and subsequent displacement of her family as refugees to Pakistan. She came to the United States as a nine-year-old and stayed in New York for a brief period before settling in Sacramento, California. She finished high school in Sacramento before going to the University of California, Davis to pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science and government.

It came relatively naturally to Gulshan to develop an interest in issues related to community development and social services catering to different underserved groups. To this end, in 2004-2008 she worked for the California Institute for Mental Health, a non-profit specializing in mental health services through training, technical assistance, research, and policy development. In 2009-2012, she was the Deputy Director of the California Network of Mental Health Clients, a statewide non-profit focusing on advocacy and program development for the mental health client/consumer community.

Gulshan joined MAS-SSF in October 2013 as the first staff and as the Executive Director of MAS-SSF. She has over 20 years’ experience in non-profit, administration, mental health policy, funding, and peer support. Her passion is in system change for the underserved community. She has increased the capacity of staff to over 25 staff and 101 Peer Support Specialists Counselors. Along the way, she has built a broad portfolio of community service offerings including the first ever Peer Support program for Muslims in the U.S and securing varied streams of funding through city, county, state and federal level.

In 2022, the Steinberg Institute, an independent, nonprofit public policy institute dedicated to advancing sound public policy and inspiring leadership on issues of mental health and substance use, named Gulshan as the 2022 Mental Health Champion.

Mohammad Sediq Hazratzai, MD, MPH, Executive Director, PHI/CIRH

Mohammad Sediq Hazratzai, MD, MPH, is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH) and Sehat Initiative, both programs of the Public Health Institute (PHI). Dr. Sediq is a career public health professional and researcher with extensive experience focused on refugee and immigrant health. As a visiting professor at the University of California, Davis, Dr. Sediq teaches refugee health and comparative health systems. Dr. Sediq is also a credentialed Principal Investigator with PHI and an affiliate with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Institute for Global Health Sciences.

Dr. Sediq has worked with nonprofits, IOM (UN Migration Agency), and Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health in projects focused on the most vulnerable populations – refugees, migrants, Injecting Drug Users (IDUs), and HIV high-risk groups. Dr. Sediq is a board member with Upwardly Global, a leading nonprofit that helps immigrant, refugee, and asylee professionals rebuild their careers in the United States. Dr. Sediq speaks English, Dari/Farsi, and Pashto fluently and is an active community member in the Greater Sacramento region, helping diverse refugee groups. Dr. Sediq is a big fan of nature and national parks. If he is not in his home office, he spends most of his time with his two children.

Moderator

Marta Induni, Ph.D., Division Director, PHI/CIRH

Marta Induni is a seasoned public health leader with over 30 years of experience in strategic planning, project management, and health informatics. With a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and a robust background in research and health informatics, Marta has led transformative public health initiatives. She specializes in designing and implementing comprehensive community health programs that significantly enhance public wellness.

As a former Senior Director at the Public Health Institute and Administrative Director at Adventist Health, Marta has excelled in roles that demand rigorous operational management and innovative research methodologies. Her work spans complex projects such as using Natural Language Processing for auto-coding pathology reports and leading large-scale health data analysis teams.

Marta's leadership style is centered around fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning, motivating teams to exceed performance targets. Her academic qualifications include a Master’s degree in Women and Gender Studies, and a professional certificate in Health Informatics - underpinning her comprehensive approach to public health and research. A lifelong learner and influential thought leader, Marta is committed to advancing public health through evidence-based strategies and collaborative partnerships.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Marta is an avid reader, community volunteer, podcast aficionado, and deeply committed to social justice issues.