UCLA Luskin Social Welfare Receives Landmark $13.5 Million Investment to Revolutionize Youth Mental Health Training
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:27
UCLA Luskin Social Welfare Receives Landmark $13.5 Million Investment to Revolutionize Youth Mental Health Training
UCLA Luskin Social Welfare Receives Landmark $13.5 Million Investment to Revolutionize Youth Mental Health Training
Tina Hordzwick/UCLA
The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs has received a transformative $13.5 million award to its Department of Social Welfare, marking a pivotal moment in the school’s history. This funding is a cornerstone of a
larger $33 million investment to UCLA
by Ballmer Group to expand efforts in improving the mental health and well-being of youth and families across Los Angeles.
At a time when more young Californians than ever are reporting poor mental health —particularly in low-income, underserved “care deserts” — this investment will allow UCLA Luskin to directly address the critical shortage of trained professionals equipped to serve these communities.
Strengthening the Pipeline of Care
This award represents the largest single donation to UCLA Luskin since the school’s naming gift from Meyer and Renee Luskin. It underscores an increasing national urgency: the need for a robust, highly trained workforce to provide lifesaving access to care.
UCLA Luskin Social Welfare, consistently ranked among the top graduate programs in the nation, will use the funding to support a new cohort of students dedicated to youth mental health. By increasing access to specialized training and reducing financial barriers through new fellowships, the school will empower a diverse student body to enter high-need communities immediately upon graduation.
“We are absolutely delighted and grateful to Ballmer Group for this transformational investment,” said
Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris
, interim dean of UCLA Luskin “In Social Welfare, we are dedicated to tackling the worsening youth mental health crisis. These fellowships will train the best and brightest social workers, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to improve community mental health in our city and beyond.”
A Legacy of Community Impact
UCLA Luskin is uniquely positioned to maximize the impact of this award. Through existing partnerships with approximately 250 social service agencies, Luskin students already complete more than 50,000 hours of fieldwork annually. Ballmer Group’s investment will leverage this existing infrastructure to create a direct pipeline of support for Los Angeles County’s most vulnerable children and families.
“We are excited to have this opportunity to expand our department’s ability to train social workers to meet so many urgent needs,” said
Poco Kernsmith
, chair of UCLA Luskin Social Welfare. “They will be sent out to work with local nonprofits in underserved communities, provide counseling services and supports for youth and families, and provide early intervention services to prevent a myriad of mental and behavioral health issues among youth and young adults.”
This grant is part of an overall $110 million investment that Ballmer Group simultaneously made to Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State Dominguez Hills. Addressing a significant portion of Los Angeles County’s projected workforce need, the three universities will support almost 2,600 new behavioral health graduates by 2031, with exponentially more on the horizon.
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Contact
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
3250 Public Affairs Building - Box 951656
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656
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The statements on this page represent the views of people affiliated with the Luskin School of Public Affairs and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of California, or UCLA or its Chancellor.
Posts and comments by individuals at UCLA on social media channels may not reflect the opinions or
policies of UCLA
, the University of California or the Luskin School, nor its benefactors and academic partners.
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UCLA Luskin Social Welfare Receives Landmark $13.5 Million Investment to Revolutionize Youth Mental Health Training
Tina Hordzwick/UCLA
The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs has received a transformative $13.5 million award to its Department of Social Welfare, marking a pivotal moment in the school’s history. This funding is a cornerstone of a
larger $33 million investment to UCLA
by Ballmer Group to expand efforts in improving the mental health and well-being of youth and families across Los Angeles.
At a time when more young Californians than ever are reporting poor mental health —particularly in low-income, underserved “care deserts” — this investment will allow UCLA Luskin to directly address the critical shortage of trained professionals equipped to serve these communities.
Strengthening the Pipeline of Care
This award represents the largest single donation to UCLA Luskin since the school’s naming gift from Meyer and Renee Luskin. It underscores an increasing national urgency: the need for a robust, highly trained workforce to provide lifesaving access to care.
UCLA Luskin Social Welfare, consistently ranked among the top graduate programs in the nation, will use the funding to support a new cohort of students dedicated to youth mental health. By increasing access to specialized training and reducing financial barriers through new fellowships, the school will empower a diverse student body to enter high-need communities immediately upon graduation.
“We are absolutely delighted and grateful to Ballmer Group for this transformational investment,” said
Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris
, interim dean of UCLA Luskin “In Social Welfare, we are dedicated to tackling the worsening youth mental health crisis. These fellowships will train the best and brightest social workers, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to improve community mental health in our city and beyond.”
A Legacy of Community Impact
UCLA Luskin is uniquely positioned to maximize the impact of this award. Through existing partnerships with approximately 250 social service agencies, Luskin students already complete more than 50,000 hours of fieldwork annually. Ballmer Group’s investment will leverage this existing infrastructure to create a direct pipeline of support for Los Angeles County’s most vulnerable children and families.
“We are excited to have this opportunity to expand our department’s ability to train social workers to meet so many urgent needs,” said
Poco Kernsmith
, chair of UCLA Luskin Social Welfare. “They will be sent out to work with local nonprofits in underserved communities, provide counseling services and supports for youth and families, and provide early intervention services to prevent a myriad of mental and behavioral health issues among youth and young adults.”
This grant is part of an overall $110 million investment that Ballmer Group simultaneously made to Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State Dominguez Hills. Addressing a significant portion of Los Angeles County’s projected workforce need, the three universities will support almost 2,600 new behavioral health graduates by 2031, with exponentially more on the horizon.
You might also like
Q&A with Negin Dadmarz: Advocate for Health and Mental Health Across the Lifespan
Astor on Gun Violence: ‘We Can Do Something About This’
Cohen Highlights Gaps in Psychiatric Hospitalization Data
UCLA Luskin’s Two-Year Evaluation of Community-Led Violence Intervention in Newark
‘Social Workers Who Drive Social Change’
Leap Shares Insights Into LAPD Program
0
replies
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!
Leave a Reply
Cancel reply
Contact
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
3250 Public Affairs Building - Box 951656
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656
Campus Resources
Maps, Directions, Parking
Directory
Contact
Academic Calendar
Careers
Diversity
University of California
Terms of Use
Follow
The statements on this page represent the views of people affiliated with the Luskin School of Public Affairs and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of California, or UCLA or its Chancellor.
Posts and comments by individuals at UCLA on social media channels may not reflect the opinions or
policies of UCLA
, the University of California or the Luskin School, nor its benefactors and academic partners.
ICE Deployment to U.S. Airports Raises Questions Amid Shutdown
Rethinking L.A. Traffic: Manville Highlights Congestion as a Sign of Prospe...
Scroll to top