Child and Family Well-Being
Innovative research,
collaborative practice,
and impactful policy advocacy.
Welcome to the online home of Sheila Sjolseth, a passionate researcher and advocate for child and family well-being. With over 25 years of experience bridging research, practice, and policy, Sheila is dedicated to empowering families, transforming systems, and nurturing resilience.
Support with innovative research
Collaborative practice
Impactful policy advocacy
Uplift family systems
Transform children’s well-being
Dear You,
I started helping families because I felt like our environments could do more to support families with kids in crisis rather than adding stress. My journey as an advocate for children with special needs and nonprofit founder propelled me in several directions, where creating systemic change for families prevailed above all others. I feel pushed to dig for answers, strategies, and tools to find ways for our children and adolescents to have a quality of life that allows them the opportunity and freedom to experience the full range of learning, development, and personal fulfillment.
Currently, I am a doctoral student studying family science. I am pushing our field across disciplines to put families at the center of policy, intervention, and research design. It is time to stop ignoring the family context and embrace families with a determination to do our part to provide support and encouragement, particularly when they are going through challenges.
I look forward to working alongside you on this project, having critical conversations, and advocating for systemic support for families!
With kindness,
Me, Sheila
Sheila’s research focuses on understanding and supporting families during critical transitions, particularly following a child’s psychiatric hospitalization. Her work examines family experiences, the role of school counselors, state policies, and innovative interventions to promote successful reintegration and thriving.
Sheila Sjolseth is a doctoral candidate, researcher, and leader with a proven track record of driving systemic change to support child and family mental health. Her expertise spans strengthening policies and programs, enhancing parent-child connections, evaluating community services, and building capacities of schools and organizations.
“Sheila has an amazing knack for seeing the whole picture while steering you through the small stuff. Working with her not only helps you improve personally but also shows you how to be a top team player. She’s always nudging you to think ahead and encouraging you to keep improving.” Nikki, Undergraduate Student, Auburn University
The Path ||
- Leverage insights from diverse fields to create comprehensive solutions for complex challenges,
- Place families at the center of mental health interventions and policy decisions,
- Design systemic change through rigorous research and data-driven insights, and
- Foster partnerships across sectors to create lasting impact.
Sheila Sjolseth 