Lisette Austin has a long history at the University of Washington, having worked for several research institutions including the Fetal Alcohol & Drug Unit (FADU), the former Addictive Behaviors Research Center (ABRC), and the Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI).

Professional interests:

• Child welfare program evaluation and implementation
• research in prevention science, specifically risk and protective factors for childhood adversity and suicide.

Sierra graduated in 2020 from the University of Washington with an MSW in Administration and Policy. She provides communications, research, and policy assistance on projects related to child well-being, foster parent training, kinship caregiver support, and foster alumni in higher education. Previously, Sierra worked in young adult employment, youth homelessness, and re-entry support for those exiting jail and prison.

Laurie leads efforts to inform and support child welfare policy choices that improve outcomes for children in Washington State through the utilization of scientific research, policy analysis, and national best practices. Laurie earned a master's in social work at the University of Chicago and began her career working with pregnant and parenting teens in inner city Chicago.