Child welfare’s interactions with multiple systems
Child welfare services and policy
Juvenile justice services and policy
Educational experiences for vulnerable youth
Adolescent development and the transition to adulthood
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
The California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study (CalYOUTH). Funded by Reissa Foundation and The University of Chicago. 2020.
Evaluation of Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth. Funded by Walter J. Foundation and The University of Chicago. 2021.
Michigan State Child Welfare Improvement Task Force-Data Workgroup. Funded by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan Public Health Institute. 2021.
Compliance and Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Monitoring Support in Child Welfare. Funded by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Michigan Public Health Institute. 2020-2022.
Racial Disparities in Juvenile Justice System Involvement among Youth in Foster Care. Funded by Michigan State University College of Social Science. 2021.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Heath, R. &Park, K., Millwar. S. (In press). Opportunities for positive youth development: The organized activity participation and educational outcomes of adolescents in adoptive, foster, and kinship care. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal,
Huang, H., Williams, A.,Park, K., & Ryan, J. (2021). Early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic and investigations of child maltreatment: An empirical study of administrative
Park, K., Okpych, N. J., & Courtney, M. E. (2019). Psychotropic medication use and perceptions of medication effects among transition-age foster youth. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 1-15.
Park, K. & Courtney, M.E. (2018). Maturing out. In Bornstein, M. H. (Ed.), The SAGE Encyclopedia of Lifespan Human Development. 5 vols. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Okpych, N.J., Feng, H., Park, K., Torres-García, A., & Courtney, M.E. (2018). Living situations and social support in the era of extended foster care: A view from the U.S. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies: International Journal 9(1), 6-29.
Marsh, J.C., Park, K., Bersamira, C., & Lin, Y. (2018). Gender differences in trends for heroin use and nonmedical use of prescription opioids, 2007-2014. Journal of Substance Abuse and Treatment, 87, 79-85.
Bersamira, C., Lin, Y., Park, K., & Marsh, J.C. (2017). Substance use among Asian Americans: Differentiation by gender, ethnic subgroups, and acculturation status. Journal of Substance Abuse and Treatment, 79, 76-81.
Ryan, J., Perron, B., Moore, A., Victor, B., & Park, K. (2017). Timing matters: A randomized control trial of recovery coaches in foster care. Journal of Substance Abuse and Treatment, 77, 178-184.
OTHER
Research Sequence Committee, MSU School of Social Work
Reviewer, Children and Youth Services Review
Reviewer, Journal of Public Child Welfare
Member, International Research Network on Transition to Adulthood from Care (INTRAC)
Member, Society for Social Work and Research
Member, Council on Social Work Education
Member, American Educational Research Association
Editorial Board Member, Journal of Mental Health and Social Behaviour