MOM2MOM
SISTERHOOD OF SUPPORT
Ramona Merchan, LCSW, DSW(c)
Department of Children & Family Services
Ramona holds a LCSW and is a doctoral candidate at USC. Ramona has trained on topics in the areas of child welfare, racial equity, leadership, and trauma. Ramona served as one of the program managers for the California Partners for Permanency (CAPP) grant which sought to address the disproportionately and disparity of African American and Native American children and youth in the child welfare system in California. Ramona still champions work in this area to achieve equity for vulnerable populations. She currently collaborates to expand community partnerships to better address the needs of children and families in Los Angeles County.
Mikáella Davis, LCSW
Department of Children & Family Services
Mikáella (she/her) is a South Los Angeles based Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nine years of experience serving the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). She believes that equity should be at the core of contracting and service delivery. Mikáella has worked in program development for the past two years, and through her participation with DCFS' Communities of Hope Investment Area Team, is lending her efforts to support re-imagining the child welfare system’s focus shift from welfare to well-being. As the marathon continues, Mikáella evolves her professional development as a DMH-UCLA Early Childhood Fellow and a Restorative Justice Practitioner.
Dr. Tiffany Dukes, DSW
Department of Children & Family Services
Dr. Dukes has dedicated her research to improving the outcomes of African American children and families and exploring the effects implicit biases and alack of cultural humility have on assessment, service delivery and ultimately disproportional and disparate outcomes within systems. Dukes is currently co-leading adiversion program that provides “at risk” African American male youths with support and opportunities to realize their potential and address bias in systems. Dr. Dukes is committed to transforming systems and institutions that are rooted in racism and discriminatory practices that continue to harm and cause deleterious outcomes for Black communities."
