Clarissa Peña
She/Her
12 Years in Care
Clarissa Peña is a proud Latina sociology major with a Psychology minor at California State University, Long Beach, on track to graduate in May 2027. A former foster youth who entered care at age 9, she navigated multiple placements, kinship challenges, juvenile justice involvement, and caring for her younger sister—shaping her passion for child welfare reform.
As LA County Youth Commissioner and Core Organizer with California Youth Connection, Clarissa leads statewide trainings for social workers and attorneys on kin-first permanency, Wraparound services, and family connections. She has advised LA County supervisors on policy and contributed to youth participatory action research with UC Berkeley.
Her advocacy focuses on equitable transitions for aging-out youth, including extended supports, financial literacy, and cultural preservation. Clarissa balances academics with jazz band, community service, and financial literacy goals, aspiring to earn a Master’s in Public Policy and lead youth-centered reform at CDSS or within nonprofit systems.
