Ms. Kathy Karatasas | Foster care- Multicultural children in care| Best Researcher Award

Ms Kathy Karatasas University of Western Sydney and CulturalWorks Australia

Kathy is a second-generation Greek Australian whose cultural roots deeply influence her work. With nearly 40 years of executive and operational experience, Kathy has significantly contributed to early intervention, child protection, and out-of-home care services in both government and non-government sectors. She has held leadership roles, including regulatory positions that review the well-being of children in care, and has driven reforms to improve policies and services for children, young people, and families.

Publication Profile

scopus

Evaluation of Kathy for the Best Researcher Award

Strengths for the Award:

1. Extensive Experience: Kathy brings nearly 40 years of executive and operational experience in early intervention, child protection, and out-of-home care services. This extensive background demonstrates a deep commitment to the field, making her a highly qualified candidate for the award.
2. Leadership in Multicultural Programs: Kathy has successfully led the development of a specialist multicultural child and family program. Her ability to oversee the program’s growth and establish quality safeguarding processes highlights her innovative approach to culturally responsive care.
3. Research and Advocacy: Kathy’s dedication to research is evident in her recent achievement as the recipient of the first social science-focused Australian National PhD scholarship. Her commitment to advancing cultural care practices through both national and international research underscores her role as a thought leader in the field.
4. Sector Leadership: Holding positions such as Deputy Chair of the Association of Child Welfare Agencies (ACWA) in NSW and representation on Ministerial and sector-wide leadership groups shows Kathy’s influence and respect within the child welfare community.
5. International Recognition: Her work through the Churchill Fellowship, exploring international best practices in foster care, reflects Kathy’s global perspective and her drive to implement world-class standards in her field.

Areas for Improvement:

1. Broader Academic Publications: While Kathy has an impressive portfolio of practical leadership and research work, expanding her presence in academic journals could further solidify her standing in the research community.
2. Mentorship and Knowledge Transfer: Encouraging Kathy to focus on mentoring emerging researchers and practitioners in her field could help in passing down her extensive knowledge and experience, further enriching the discipline.
3. Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Engaging in more cross-disciplinary research could broaden the impact of her work and introduce new methodologies and perspectives that could enhance her research outcomes.

🌍 Kathy’s Cultural and Professional Journey

Kathy is a second-generation Greek Australian migrant whose life has been deeply influenced by her rich Greek heritage, language, and faith. With a lived experience in kinship care, she brings a personal touch to her work. Kathy has amassed nearly 40 years of executive and operational experience in early intervention, child protection, and out-of-home care services, both in government and non-government organizations.Kathy has held significant leadership roles, contributing to the wellbeing of children in care through regulatory bodies and driving policy reforms to enhance services for children, young people, and families.  Over the past decade, Kathy has led the development of a specialized multicultural child and family program, ensuring growth, quality, and safeguarding processes while championing culturally responsive practices for children and families from diverse backgrounds.Kathy is dedicated to research, advocacy, and collaboration, having served as the Deputy Chair of the Association of Child Welfare Agencies (ACWA) in NSW. She continues to shape the sector by leading CulturalWorks, partnering with organizations to elevate culturally responsive practices.  A recipient of the first social science-focused Australian National PhD scholarship, Kathy is committed to advancing national research on better cultural care practices for children in care.Currently, Kathy is undertaking international research through a Churchill Fellowship, exploring best practices in foster care for children from diverse cultural backgrounds in the United States, the UK, and Norway. 📚 With a Master’s in Social Work and qualifications in Family Group Conferencing, Training, and Management, Kathy’s work continues to make a significant impact in the field.

Publications:

• Title: The S.E.L.F. Framework for Keeping Children Connected to Their Culture in Out-of-Home Care
  Authors: Karatasas, K.; Noujaim, G.; Wright, A.C.; Chapman, J.
  Year: 2024

• Title: Innovative Cultural Care for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children in Out-of-Home Care
  Authors: Wright, A.C.; Grace, R.; Karatasas, K.; Mitchell, M.; Tokunaga, S.
  Year: 2024

• Title: A Cultural Newsletter: Sharing Information and Embedding Cultural Conversations in Practice
  Authors: Karatasas, K.; Noujaim, G.; Grace, R.
  Year: 2024