L. Patty Flores

L. Patty Flores is a bilingual therapist, researcher, and public scholar whose work bridges clinical practice, research, and advocacy. Her research focuses on system-impacted youth, trauma, and how child-serving systems shape the lives of immigrant and foster youth. She has been featured by SAGE Publications, The Imprint, NBC4, LAist, Univision, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Field Center, where her scholarship and lived experience have contributed to national conversations on child welfare, youth voice, and culturally responsive practice. As a scholar-practitioner, Patty integrates professional expertise with her lived experience as a former foster youth to inform her research and advocacy. Through her work, she aims to advance policies and practices that strengthen outcomes for children, youth, and families.