CARE Team LAB Logo

  • CARE LAB

    Dr. David Chavez

  • Mission

    The goals of the Community and Relationship Enhancement (CARE) team are to build intrapersonal skills and improve interpersonal relationships to promote positive developmental trajectories amongst youth in at-risk environments. In collaboration with our community partner, The Boys and Girls Club of Valencia Vista, we are helping to bridge the gap between researchers and participants by disseminating positive, action-oriented research for the purpose of building strong communities.

  • The Boys & Girls Club of Valencia Vista

    The club serves a public housing complex and provides diversified activities that meet the interests of all young people. Core programs encourage activities with adults, peers, and family members that enable kids to enhance self-esteem and fulfill their potential. The Club offers diversified, developmentally appropriate program activities focusing on the physical, emotional, cultural, and social needs and interest of boys and girls.
  • Image-93

  • Current Study

    The CARE Team is currently collaborating with the Boys & Girls of Clubs of America to investigate the impact of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) within marginalized communities. The current study utilizes both a qualitative and quantitative design to research internal and external assets, emotional distress, and resilience. The purpose of this research is to examine how the implementation of a SEL curriculum may positively support a community's on-going wellbeing, which includes the reduction of externalizing/internalizing behaviors, improving resilience, and reducing emotional distress.

  • Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

    Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process of improving interpersonal relationships and intrapersonal skills (Payton et al., 2000). The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework prioritizes the various bioecological systems in the lives of youth to promote positive social and health outcomes.

  • CASEL

    Our research project looks to improve Social Emotional Learning (SEL) across the five core domains outlined by the CASEL framework. 
  • Image-33

  • Community Based Participatory Research

    Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) is a collaborative research paradigm that combines the expertise of community members and researchers in order to promote community autonomy and improve the dissemination of research (Delemos, 2006).

  • Past Research Projects

    The Western Psychological Association (WPA) conference is held annually and consists of various research institutions gathering to showcase their research and exchange ideas in order to improve the field of psychological research. The following posters were presented by the CARE lab at various WPA conferences. 

  • WPA 2023

  • WPA 2022

  • Current LAB Members

    2023
  • Dr. David Chavez

    Dr. David Chavez

    A member of the Psychology Department at CSUSB since 1988, I founded the Community and Relationship Enhancement (CARE) team in 2012. The goal was to collaborate with community-based organizations and the youth they serve by engaging in both community-based participatory research as well as volunteer service to the various organizations. Since that time, we have engaged in a combined service/research team model in various settings including the Boys and Girls Club of Valencia Vista. I have learned that participatory work that is truly collaborative is an effective means of creating a sense of hope and empowerment in youth and their families. I have also learned that working with a group of students with a range of diverse skills creates opportunities for all of us to provide service and learn from the community. I intend to see this work continue in the coming years.
  • Sylvia Zuniga

    Sylvia Zuniga

    I joined the team in summer of 2020, and what led me here was my interest in wanting to expand my knowledge in research. As I took an interest in wanting to pursue higher education, I understood the importance of research. I have sincerely learned so much by being on this team, and it goes beyond the numbers and data. My current career path is I am a case manager for a nonprofit organization. My long term career goals are ever so changing, but that has been the most important yet difficult part for me. Through my current career position and position on this team, it made me realize there are so many things we can aspire to do and we have so much time to accomplish it as well.
  • Kassandra Gallardo

    Kassandra Gallardo

    I was looking to expand my research experience and work with at-risk youth. I joined the team in 2020 and have learned so much. I have more knowledge about conducting community based research. As a result of volunteering on the team I learned about the impact emotional intelligence has on the development of at risk youth. Currently I work as a mental health counselor for a nonprofit organization that provides services to foster children. My goal is to get my masters degree in clinical psychology and continue to service at-risk youth and families.
  • Brianna Gutierrez

    Brianna Gutierrez

    Hello, my name is Brianna Gutierrez. I joined the team during my transition from junior to senior year of college in the summer of 2021. With my combined passion for the fields of psychology and child development, I jumped at the opportunity to conduct research in a setting that would allow me to study the social emotional skills of disadvantaged youth in our San Bernardino community. As an aspiring school psychologist who dreams of working in the communities that I grew up in, becoming a member of this team would provide me research experience for grad school applications while at the same time give me the chance to make a difference in children’s lives now. In this partnership with the Boys & Girls Club we produce research but also volunteer our time with kids of all ages, teach life skills, and establish mentor relationships that leave behind a lasting impression for those who may not already have such figures in their lives. Being a member of this team has taught me that research is most valuable when its purpose is for the betterment of our world. I have obtained my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and plan to return to school for a master’s degree in School Psychology where I can support students’ mental health and ability to learn.
  • Rabab Hussain

    Rabab Hussain

    Hello, my name is Rabab Hussain. I graduated Spring of 2021 with my bachelor’s in Psychology from Cal State San Bernardino. I have been a part of the CARE Team since Fall 2021. I joined the team to gain more research experience. I have learned so much being a part of this lab and have been able to utilize my skills to help make a positive impact on the community. My career goal is to return to school to obtain my master’s degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis and be able to work with children and their families, helping them develop the behavioral and social skills needed for a functional lifestyle and integrate into society better.
  • Jonathan Castaneda

    Jonathan Castaneda

    Hello Everyone! My name is Jon Castaneda and I joined the CARE Team back in Fall 2021 and have been an active member since. In my undergraduate years, I applied to the CARE Lab because I found its community psychology aspect to be a very proactive approach to help the community. While working alongside Dr. Chavez, the lab provided the opportunity to understand and explore psychology research at its foundation while also directly helping others. My current experience within the lab has boosted my aspirations to pursue a doctoral degree in psychology and continue exploring related topics involving resilience and emotional intelligence.
  • Ivania Citalan Talavera

    Ivania Citalan Talavera

    Hello! My name is Ivania Citalan Talavera and I am currently an alumni of Cal State San Bernardino. I graduated with my bachelor's degree in Psychology last year in the Summer of 2022. Additionally, I have been part of the CARE Team here at CSUSB for about a year now since I joined in the Summer of 2022. I decided to join this research team since I knew I had a passion for helping our lower-income communities and inspiring young children to foster positive relationships in order to develop their social and emotional skills. In particular, I enjoy learning about community-based participatory research since we are able to make a difference in the lives of young children through positive reinforcement, encouragement, and being able to provide them with new tools and resources they will continue to use throughout their lifetime. In addition, my career path is to ultimately attend our research conference this upcoming year to learn more about other research studies and gain a new perspective on community-based participatory research along with applying to graduate school for Spring 2024 for my Master's in Applied Behavioral Analysis. My ultimate goal is to become a Marriage and Family Therapist one day!
  • Jorge De La Cruz

    Jorge De La Cruz

    Hello, my name is Jorge, I joined the team in September of 2022 after graduating with my BA in Psychology. I joined because I was driven to collaborate with likeminded individuals and because I value the importance of research in my pursuit for a postgraduate education. Something I’ve learned along the way is the benefit of mental health resources for marginalized kids in San Bernardino. CBPR is an excellent way for researchers and the community to simultaneously learn from each other as both parties benefit from the services. Currently, I am a mental health counselor at a non-profit organization providing mental health services to foster kids in Riverside. My future career goals are to obtain a Master’s degree and be a MFT or school based counselor to continue helping underrepresented communities.
  • Karen Dreyfus

    Karen Dreyfus

    As an avid member of the CARE team, I find immense joy in making a positive impact on others' lives. Excited for the upcoming fall of 2023, I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to enhance my expertise while working collaboratively at the Boys and Girls Club, honing valuable research skills, and contributing to the betterment of the community.

  • CARE Team Alumni

  • Erick Carrera

    Erick Carrera

    Erick Carrera joined the team in January of 2021. Erick contributed to the team in a number of ways and had a particular interest in the contribution of children's developmental assets or attributes to their social-emotional development. Erick is currently a second-year graduate student in the Master's program in Counseling Psychology at Cal Poly Humboldt. His current research is focused on working with youth in at-risk environments.
  • Adriana Serrato-Burgos

    Adriana Serrato-Burgos

    In hopes of gaining research experience and having a strong desire to help others, Adriana joined the CARE Team in the Summer of 2022 shortly after graduating with her B.A. in Psychology. She was an active member for a year. During her time with the team, she learned how important it is to provide a safe space for youth so that they feel comfortable voicing their thoughts and feelings. She also recognized just how crucial it is to advise youth with different perspectives as they are in the process of developing their emotional intelligence. Adriana is currently working as a Case Manager at a non-profit organization to provide services for individuals with developmental disabilities. She has not determined which graduate program she will be applying to, but plans to return to school to further her education in the field. Adriana’s long-term goal is to integrate her knowledge and experience to continue assisting people in marginalized communities.

  • Steps Towards Applying

    1) Submit required materials through the Jotform Application(CV, Personal Statement, etc.)

    2) Following submission, Dr. Chavez will contact you to begin the interview process

     The application will explain the guidelines for your Personal Statement and minimum requirements

    If you have any more questions, feel free to contact Dr. Chavez at

    dchavez@csusb.edu

    Click below to access full application or copy+paste this link(https://form.jotform.com/232882056967166)

    Chavez LAB RA Application

  • Image-106
  • Should be Empty: