About
Dr. Khush Cooper is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs as well as a consultant to both public child welfare systems and private child welfare organizations in the areas of foster care reform, LGBTQ+ youth in systems, implementation science, and leadership. A social entrepreneur and specialist in the study and implementation science, Dr. Cooper has cultivated long-standing relationships with policymakers, leading practitioners, and consumers to shield and guide California’s child welfare organizations through reform initiatives. Her credibility in the child welfare field is further enhanced by her years of direct practice experience in foster care, residential treatment and community adolescent service settings. Dr. Cooper’s research projects include the California Residentially-Based Services (RBS) Demonstration Project, the RISE project, the Los Angeles Foster Youth Study, and the LA LGBTQ+ Youth Preparedness Scan.