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THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE OF PUBLIC POLICY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK
Alfred Gene Pérez
501 W. César E. Chávez Blvd.
San Antonio, TX 78210
210.458.2315
alfred.perez@utsa.edu
Education
2014
Doctor of Philosophy
Social Welfare
University of Chicago
Dissertation Title: “Are We Putting the Cart before the Horse?:
Understanding Legal and Relational Permanence Among Young
Adults with Foster Care Histories.”
2001
Master of Social Work
Social Policy & Evaluation with Children, Youth and Families
University of Michigan
1998
Bachelor of Arts
Social Work and a minor in Speech Communications
San José State University
Positions Held
2014 – Present
Assistant Professor
Department of Social Work, University of Texas at San Antonio
2014 – Present
Faculty Affiliate
Child and Adolescent Policy Research Institute (CAPRI), University of Texas at San
Antonio
2007 – 2013
Adjunct Instructor
Graduate School of Social Work, Loyola University Chicago
2011 – 2012
Adjunct Instructor
Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago
2009 – 2010
Adjunct Instructor
School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago
2005 – 2009
Research Assistant
Chapin Hall for Children at The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
2004 – 2005
Senior Program Administrator
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano’s Office on Children, Youth and Families, Phoenix, AZ
2003 – 2004
Policy Analyst
Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care, Washington, DC
2001 – 2003
Research Assistant
Westat Inc., Rockville, MD
2000 – 2001
Casey Family Programs Fellow
U.S. Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, Washington, D.C.
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1998 – 2000
Outreach Coordinator
California Youth Connection, San Francisco, CA
Fields of Interest (in alphabetical order)
Child Welfare Practice & Policy; Evidence-Based Social Work Practice; Family Systems;
Formal and Informal Helping Systems; Life Course Development; Positive Youth
Development; Qualitative Research; and Social Welfare Programs & Policy
Research Support & Grants
2013 – 2014
School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago
Bernece Kern Simon Teaching Fellowship
$5,000
2012 – 2014
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Diversifying Faculty in Illinois Fellow
2012-13: $15,000; 2013-14: $15,000
2010– 2011
Research Initiative Grant, University of Chicago
Moral Claims to Family After Foster Care Among Older Youth Who Achieved Permanency
$3,000
2009– 2011
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Moral Claims to Family After Foster Care Among Older Youth Who Achieved Permanency
2009-10: $20,000; 2010-11: $25,000
2010 – 2011
School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago
Doctoral Theory Workshop Fellowship
$5,000
2001
University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI
The Gus Harrison Scholarship in Social Work & Public Policy
$5,800
S. H. Cowell Foundation
Family Preservation Initiatives: Foster Youth Share Their Perspectives for
Change $30,000
2000
Authorships & Publications
Peer Review Journal Articles
Courtney, M. E., Lee, J. & Pérez, A.G. (2011). Receipt of help acquiring life skills and predictors of help receipt
among current and former foster youth. Children and Youth Services Review, 33(12), pp. 2442-2451.
Dworsky, A. & Pérez, A. G. (2010). Helping former foster youth graduate from college through
campus support programs. Children and Youth Services Review, 32(2), pp. 255-263.
Pérez, A. G. (2004). Five commentaries: Looking to the future (Commentary #2). The Future of Children, 14,
(1), pp. 175-189.
Reports & Other Publications
Dworsky, A. & Pérez, A. G. (2009). Helping foster youth graduate from college: Campus support programs in
California and Washington State. Chicago, IL: Chapin Hall Center for Children.
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Courtney, M., Dworksy, A., Ruth-Cusick, G., Havlicek, J., Pérez, A., & Keller, T. (2007). The Midwest
evaluation of adult functioning: Outcomes at age 21. Chicago, IL: Chapin Hall Center for Children.
Hines, A., Lee, P.A., Drabble, L., Lemon, K., Chow, J., Pérez, A., & Snowden, L.R. (2003). An evaluation of
factors related to the disproportionate representation of children of color in Santa Clara County’s child welfare system.
San José, CA: County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency, 2003.
Pérez, A. G., O’Neil, K., & Gesiriech, S. (2003). Demographics of children in foster care. Washington, DC:
Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care.
Pérez, A. (2003). Family preservation initiatives: Foster youth share their perspective for change. San Francisco,
CA: California Youth Connection.
Pérez, A. (2003). Forgotten teens: Social workers can make a difference. Ongoing. Ann Arbor, MI:
University of Michigan School of Social Work.
Pérez, A. (2000). Sink or swim: Foster youth staying afloat in the adult world. Daily Living: A Quarterly
Devoted to Adolescent Independent Living. Tulsa, OK: National Resource Center for Youth Services,
University of Oklahoma, 14(2), pp. 4-6.
Publications in Preparation
Pérez, A.G. Understanding legal and relational permanence among young adults with foster care histories.
Pérez, A.G. Relational experiences before and during foster care: The retrospective accounts of young
adults who achieved legal permanence or long-term foster care with a relative as adolescents.
Pérez, A.G. Young adults’ perceptions of their caretakers’ motivations for entering legal permanence or
long-term foster care.
Presentations
Refereed Academic Presentations
January 2014
Henly, J.R. (organizer). Roundtable On Qualitative Dissertation Research: Learning From Doctoral
Student Peers. Discussant at 18th Annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and
Research (SSWR), San Antonio, TX.
August 2010
Pérez, A.G. and Dworsky, A. An Introduction to Campus Support Programs: Findings
from an Implementation Study. Paper presentation at the National Pathways to
Adulthood Conference sponsored by the National Resource Center for Youth
Development, Chicago, IL
March 2010
Pérez, A.G., García, T. & Velasquez, M. The Power of One: Supporting Foster Youth in Higher
Education. Paper presentation at the annual NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in
Higher Education Annual Conference, Chicago, IL
January 2008
Pérez, A.G. and Courtney, M. Predictors of Receipt of Independent Living Services. Paper
presentation at 12th Annual Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR),
Washington, DC
October 2008
Pérez, A.G. and Dworsky, A. Evaluating Campus Support Programs for Former Youth in California and
Washington State. Paper presentation at “Creating a Blueprint: Building Support for
Students from Foster Care on Higher Education Campuses” sponsored by California
College Pathways, San José, CA
Invited Academic & Professional Presentations
October 2014
Pérez, A.G. Understanding Legal and Relational Permanence among Young adults with
Foster Care Histories. Invited research presentation at the National Family Builders
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Network Meeting, Providence, RI
June 2012
Pérez, A.G. Moving Beyond Categorical Modes of Permanency: Unpacking Assumptions of
Permanency Planning Practice and Policy. Invited keynote address at the Youth
Permanency Summit sponsored by the Nebraska Families Collaborative, Omaha,
NE
August 2010
Pérez, A.G. Independence and Self-Sufficiency or Dependence and Connectedness: Revisiting if We Are
Helping Young People Prepare for Young Adulthood. Invited opening plenary keynote address at
the annual National Pathways to Adulthood Conference sponsored by the National
Resource Center for Youth Development, Chicago, IL
March 2010
Pérez, A.G. Policies and Programs that Help Foster Youth Transition to Adulthood. Invited
presentation at Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Seminar, University of Illinois at
Chicago, Jane Addams School of Social Work, Chicago, IL
December 2009
Pérez, A.G. What Research Tells Us: Young People in Transition to Adulthood. Invited presentation
at the “In Transition: A National Dialogue Regarding Policy & Practice for Older Youth in
Foster Care” meeting, Washington, DC
July 2009
Pérez, A.G. Foster Care in America: A Call to Action for Our Children. Invited presentation at the
annual meeting of the National Urban League Annual Conference, Chicago, IL
February 2009
Pérez, A.G. Colloquium: Rising Above the Demographic Storm. Invited panelist at the meeting of
the College Board Western Regional Forum, Denver, CO
November 2007
Pérez, A.G. From the “System” to the Ivory Tower: Supporting Former Foster Youth in Their Pursuit of
Higher Education. Invited keynote address at the “Creating a Blueprint: Building Support
for Students from Foster Care on Higher Education Campuses” sponsored by California
College Pathways, Santa Clara, CA
February 2005
Pérez, A.G. On Their Own: From Foster Care to Self-Sufficiency. Invited lecture at the “Five Day
of Justice Lecture Series” sponsored by Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown,
PA
October 2003
Pérez, A.G. Adoption and Safe Families Act’s (ASFA’s) Legal Orphans – A Necessary Evil? A
Discussion of the Wisdom and Need for Terminating Parental Rights When no Prospective Adoptive
Parent has been Identified. Invited panelist at the 5th Annual National Symposium:
Examining the First Five Years of ASFA, Capital University Law School, Columbus, OH
January 2002
Pérez, A.G. Social Work’s Responsibility to Children and Families. Invited keynote address at the
“I Dream a World Conference” sponsored by the University of Maryland School of Social
Work, Baltimore, MD
February 2001
Pérez, A.G. Journalist Role in Shaping the Narrative of Youth in Transition.
Invited keynote address at the Casey Journalism Center on Children Annual Conference,
Washington, DC
August 2001
Pérez, A.G. Survivors: Five Survivor Strategies for Staying Afloat in the Adult World. Invited keynote
address at the National Pathways to Adulthood Conference sponsored by the National
Resource Center for Youth Services, Glorieta, NM
July 2001
Pérez, A.G. Sink or Swim: Foster Youth Staying Afloat in the Adult World. Invited keynote address
at the California Statewide Independent Living Conference sponsored by the National
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Resource Center for Youth Services, Santa Cruz, CA
December 1999
Pérez, A.G. Invited featured speaker at the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 Bill
Signing Ceremony, White House, Washington, DC
January 1999
Pérez, A.G. Advocating for Children and Families. Invited panelist at the 5th Annual Rebellious
Lawyering Conference sponsored by Yale Law School, New Haven, CT
June 1999
Pérez, A.G. A Child’s Journey through California’s Foster Care System. Invited keynote address at
the annual meeting of the California Community College Foundation, Sacramento, CA
October 1998
Pérez, A.G. Invited testimony on the needs of aged-out foster youth before the California
State Assembly Human Services Committee, Sacramento, CA.
Teaching
2014 – Present
Department of Social Work, University of Texas at San Antonio
SWK 5103: Social Problems & Social Welfare Policy Analysis (graduate course)
2007 – 2013
Graduate School of Social Work, Loyola University Chicago
SOWK 506: Research Methods for Social Work (graduate course)
SOWK: Practicum in Research (graduate course)
2011 – 2012
Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago
SOCW 582: Practice III: Child and Families (graduate practice sequence course)
SOCW 582: Practice IV: Child and Families (graduate practice sequence course)
2009 – 2010
School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago
SSA 471: Child Welfare Practice and Policy (graduate seminar)
Research Experience
2011 – Present
Principal Investigator (Dissertation Chair: Julia R. Henly, Ph.D.)
The School of Social Services Administration, University of Chicago
Moral Claims to Family After Foster Care Among Older Adolescents Who Achieved Permanency
Funded in part by: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Dissertation
Planning
Grant ($45,000) and Research Initiative Grant at the University of Chicago ($3,000)
2009 – 2010
Graduate Research Assistant
Principal Investigator: Tina Rzepnicki, Ph.D.
Illinois Office of the Inspector General
An Assessment of The Illinois Office of the Inspector General Error Reduction Implementation Program
2007 – 2009
Graduate Research Assistant
Principal Investigator: Amy Dworsky, Ph.D.
Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago
An Evaluation of Campus Support Programs in California and Washington State
Funded by: Stuart Foundation and Walter S. Johnson Foundation ($52,000)
2005 – 2007
Graduate Research Assistant
Principal Investigator: Mark Courtney, Ph.D.
Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago
The Midwest Evaluation of Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth
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2003
Consultant
Principal Investigator: Alice Hines, Ph.D.
The School of Social Work, San José State University
An Evaluation of Factors Related to the Disproportionate Representation of Children of Color in Santa
Clara County’s Child Welfare System.
2003
Research Assistant
Race Matters Consortium
Race Matters: The Overrepresentation of African American Children in the Child Welfare System
2001 – 2003
Research Assistant
Principal Investigator: Ronna Cook, M.S.W.
Westat Inc., Rockville, MD
Assessment of the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program
2001 – 2003
Research Assistant
Principal Investigator: Ronna Cook, M.S.W.
Westat Inc., Rockville, MD
The National Head Start Impact Study
2000
Principal Investigator
California Youth Connection, San Francisco, CA
Family Preservation Initiatives: Foster Youth Share Their Perspectives for Change
Funded by: S. H. Cowell Foundation ($30,000)
Service & Activities
University & Departmental Service
2013 – 2014
Teaching Workshop Coordinator
University of Chicago
2011-2013
Moderator/Facilitator
Men of Color Forums
University of Chicago
2010 – 2011
Theory Workshop Coordinator
University of Chicago
2008 – 2009
Committee Member
Independent Review Committee for the University of Chicago Police Department
2000 – Present
Trustee
Journalism Center for Children and Families, Philip Merrill College of Journalism, University
of Maryland
External Service
2012 – Present
Friends First Mentor
Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, Chicago, IL
2010 – Present
Steering Committee
Diversity 2000 (D2K) Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA
2004 – 2005
Member
Arizona Governor’s Child Protection Services Oversight Committee
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2004 – 2005
Member
Arizona Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism
2001 – 2002
Member
Advisory Committee on Independent Living Services for Foster Youth, Child Welfare League
of America
2001 – 2003
Member
U.S. Children’s Bureau Standing Workgroup on Developing Data Elements, Instruments, and
Implementation Plan for Reporting System Under the Chafee Foster Care Independence
Program
2001 – 2003
Member
U.S. Children’s Bureau Standing Workgroup on Performance Measurement Under the John
Chafee Foster Care Independence Act
2001 – Present
Grant Review Panelist
Annual Grant Review Process of the Children’s Bureau/Office of Family Assistance/Family
and Youth Services Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC
Member
National Advisory Committee on Youth Development, Child Welfare League of America
2000 – 2005
2000 – Present
Big Brother/Mentor
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the National Capital Area, Lanham, MD
1998 – 1999
Member
California State Legislature Blue Ribbon Commission on Out-of-State Placements
1998 -1999
Co-Chair
California State Legislature Group Home Law Enforcement Task Force
Memberships
Society for Social Work Research
National Foster Care Coalition
National Association of Social Workers
Council on Social Work Education
Awards & Honors
2005
Distinguished Alumni Award
Contra Costa College/Middle College High School, San Pablo, CA
July 16, 1999
California State Assembly Resolution, A.M.R. 1865
California State Legislature, Sacramento, CA
1999
The Big Apple Award
New York City Administration for Children’s Services, New York, NY
1998
A.S. 55 Award
San José State University Associated Student Government, San José, CA
1998
Outstanding Youth Award
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The City of San José Department of Parks, Recreation, Neighborhood Services and Youth
Employment Services, San José, CA
1997 & 1998
Dean’s Scholar
San José State University
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