Educational and Community Initiatives (ECI) is a specialized center within WestEd's
Health & Human Development Program (HHDP) that conducts demonstration research projects using quasi-experimental designs that focus on school-age youth and their families, particularly those facing severe social, academic, and economic challenges. ECI staff provide technical assistance and consulting on the implementation of student assistance programs and the use of outreach workers to enhance program enrollment, advocacy, and retention in services.
In partnership with schools and community-based organizations, the ECI team develops science-based interventions to support the healthy development of school-age youth. The models and findings from ECI's studies are disseminated nationally through publications and multimedia CD-ROMs. ECI work contributes knowledge to the field on strengthening families in newly immigrated Hispanic populations and among families dealing with substance abuse. In addition, ECI has developed a number of technologies to enable schools and community organizations to identify and serve youth more effectively in high-risk youth programs.
Director: Gregory Austin, Charity Cason, Cecilia Llerenas-Mutia
Contact: Zeta Heiter, Annette Torres
Tel: 714.972.5900, 909.275.560
Email: zheiter@wested.org, atorres@wested.org
This project is part of WestEd's Health & Human Development Program.
WestEd staff involved with this project:
