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.

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.

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.

Kathy Yang, Office of Equity, Deputy Director, CDSS

Kathy Yang (she/her) has served with the California Department of Social Services for the past 14 years, most recently as the Deputy Director of the Office of Equity Division. In this role, she oversees refugee and immigrant integration programs; civil rights programs; racial equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives; language access and translation services; equity anti-hate and response alternatives to law enforcement community grant programs; unaccompanied refugee minor, youth mentoring, and children and youth school impact grant programs; deaf access programs; and digital and document accessibility policies. Before that, she was honored to serve as California’s State Refugee Coordinator for three years. She has also served in the social services field cutting across multiple programs at the local county government level, including in the Medi-Cal, California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids, CalFresh, Child/Adult Protective Services, and In-Home Supportive Services programs. Prior to her time in government civil service, Kathy served in the mental health, citizenship and naturalization, employment services, and youth empowerment programs in the non-profit sector. She is a refugee and is honored to give back to the immigrant newcomer community from which she came. Kathy is the first in her family to graduate from college and holds dual master’s degrees in social work and English. She enjoys spending time with her partner and children, mostly at the seaside at the beach, at cultural community festivals, and at amusement parks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.