Dr. Soraya Fallah Official Blog

  What was covered in our  Seminar: Harnessing AI for Education and Mental Health Prepared by Dr. Soraya Fallah On Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM (Pacific Time), the UNA-USA San Fernando Valley Chapter and the American Association of University Women (AAUW) co-hosted a virtual seminar on Zoom titled “Harnessing AI for Education and Mental Health.” The event featured distinguished speaker Dr. Marina A. Badillo-Diaz, LCSW , and was facilitated by Dr. Soraya Fallah, Vice President of UNA-USA San Fernando Valley Chapter . The program began with welcoming remarks from David Tuckman , representing UNA-USA, and Ginny Hatfield , AAUW board member and past president. They highlighted the mission and work of their organizations, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the intersection of technology, education, and mental health. Dr. Fallah then welcomed attendees and connected the session to two United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 — Good Health ...

 I will be facilitating this session on AI on  SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-Being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education) Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming education and mental health, offering new opportunities while also raising critical ethical and equity questions. Engaging in thoughtful dialogue on how AI shapes well-being and learning is essential as we work toward advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Join us for a free virtual webinar, “Harnessing AI for Education and Mental Health,” on Sunday, September 14, 2025 (2–4 PM PT), presented by UNA-USA San Fernando Valley & AAUW, featuring expert speaker Dr. Marina A. Badillo-Diaz. Let’s explore together how AI can responsibly support education and mental health. Upcoming Event: Harnessing AI for Education and Mental Health 🌍 UNA-USA San Fernando Valley Chapter & American Association of University Women (AAUW) Present Harnessing AI for Education and Mental Health: Advancing SDG 3 (Good Health ...

  Speaking at the CiRH Academy Speaker Series Today, I participated as a featured speaker in the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CiRH) Academy’s Speaker Series , a platform dedicated to increasing awareness and building capacity among professionals serving immigrant and refugee communities. My session, "Supporting Refugee and Immigrant Students with Special Needs in Educational Settings," focused on equipping educators and service providers with essential tools and knowledge to more effectively identify, evaluate, and support refugee students—particularly in the areas of special education, health, wellness, and education-related law and policy. We also examined the legal frameworks and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process that guide services for students with disabilities in California, highlighting how these systems can be navigated using culturally responsive, linguistically inclusive, and trauma-informed practices. As a researcher, advocate, and co...

World Refugee Day – Virtual Event Join us in this meaningful virtual event: Every year on World Refugee Day, we honor the courage, resilience, and strength of millions of individuals who have been forced to flee their homelands due to conflict, persecution, and violence. It’s a time to raise awareness, show solidarity, and celebrate the contributions of refugees in our communities. As the global refugee crisis continues to grow, and as we welcome newcomers here at home. This gathering is more important than ever. Date: Friday, June 20, 2025 Time: 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM Theme: Safety in Unity, Strength in Community Zoom Webinar ID: 885 2341 9148 Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88523419148 More Information: https://dpss.lacounty.gov/en/events/2025/06/2025-world-refugee-day-event.html World Refugee Day with IRIS — Sacred Resistance | Los Angeles Prizes will be awarded to attendees who actively participate and answer questions during the session. Your name and video will NOT ap...

  Dr. Soraya Fallah has been recognized by LAUSD as an  Everyday Heroes (Shero)  for the 2024–25 year, an honor that celebrates her unwavering dedication, leadership, and positive impact within schools and the broader community. As a committed staff member serving in LAUSD’s Medical Services Division – Wellness Programs, Healthy Start, and the Multilingual and Multicultural Education Department’s Refugee Educational Support Program (RESP), Dr. Fallah works daily to support students, families, and colleagues with compassion and purpose. This recognition, signed by Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and Personnel Director David Greco, highlights her excellence in work performance, school and community involvement, and leadership. Her coworkers and friends showed up to support her. Dr. Fallah shares this honor with many other dedicated individuals and remains deeply grateful for the support of her peers and administrators who inspire collective growth and achievement.  Thi...

  Event Report: Child & Adolescent Development Alumni Chapter Career Development Panel – CSUN, May 3, 2025 Presenter: Dr. Soraya Fallah Title of Presentation: Working with Children, Adolescents, Families & Communities: LAUSD, Refugee Educational Support Program & Healthy Start Program On Saturday, May 3, 2025, I had the honor of serving as a speaker at the Child & Adolescent Development Alumni Chapter Career Development Panel, hosted at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). This event brought together a group of alumni professionals working in diverse fields related to children, adolescents, and families, with the goal of sharing insights and career guidance with students preparing to enter the workforce. The event organizers generously allotted me extended time to speak, recognizing the significance of the topics I was addressing—two key programs within the second-largest educational system in the nation, LAUSD. The primary goal of the panel was to introd...

  April 22   this week, I had the privilege of presenting on behalf of the Refugee Educational Support Program (RESPite) at LAUSD’s District-wide Homeless Liaison Meeting, hosted by the Homeless Education Office. Speaking to a dedicated group of school-site professionals, including counselors, coordinators, and administrators. I shared how RESPite supports refugee and asylee students as they adjust to a new educational environment. I emphasized the importance of early identification and collaboration with school staff to ensure no student is overlooked. One area I was especially passionate about highlighting was our literacy workshops for parents. These workshops not only support language development, but also empower families to better understand and engage with the U.S. school system, helping them become strong advocates for their children. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share this work and continue building bridges of support for our newcomer communities.