For the past 17 years, Catalyst Kids has fostered meaningful experiences for UC Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health students, serving as one of the school’s 100-plus practicum sites. Catalyst Kids is a California-based children’s day programming organization with 160 centers serving over 20,000 children. With several locations close to campus, this practicum site brings together public health students and Catalyst Kids staff to nurture children’s development through a holistic lens.
Each year, the Catalyst Kids’ Turtle Rock Irvine location provides services to approximately 100 children, drawn from across the Irvine community. As part of the practicum partnership, three to five public health students can be hosted at this Catalyst Kids location to gain hands-on experience in child development.
“Public health students act as a community connection,” said Marsha Anne Linquist, manager of the Turtle Rock location. “They help create lesson plans, design activities that foster problem-solving and conflict resolution, and spend time actively working with the kids alongside our teachers.”
The program offers Wen Public Health students an immersive experience, allowing them to shadow staff, plan and deliver activities, and observe children’s developmental progress. For public health students pursuing careers in pediatrics, children’s dentistry, social work, or other child-focused professions, this hands-on exposure is invaluable.
For public health students like me, these practicum experiences help bridge the gap between theory and practice. It helps me cultivate a deeper understanding of the social and environmental factors that kids face now that shape health outcomes for when they become adults.”
– Olivia Doria, Current public health practicum student
“The students often want to learn about how children develop—not just academically but socially and emotionally,” Linquist explained. “Being in the center gives them a real-world understanding of child development from birth through 12th grade and how to foster skills like empathy and critical thinking.”
Through this practical experience, students not only gain insights into the complexities of working with children but also build skills that will serve them in their future careers. “In just 10 weeks, they see what it takes to create supportive environments for children and learn how to design meaningful activities that promote growth,” Linquist added.
Practicum experiences like this are a cornerstone of public health education. They provide students with opportunities to apply classroom learning to real-world settings, develop practical skills, and engage directly with communities. “For public health students like me, these practicum experiences help bridge the gap between theory and practice,” shares Olivia, current public health undergraduate student. “It helps me cultivate a deeper understanding of the social and environmental factors that kids face now that shape health outcomes for when they become adults.”
Catalyst Kids has also seen lasting contributions from UC Irvine students. Twelve staff members began as interns from UC Irvine over the past decade, with three still working in the organization today. The UC Irvine School of Social Ecology also has a long-standing partnership with Catalyst Kids.
“This partnership is more than just an internship,” Linquist said. “It’s about building a community and giving our children the tools they need to grow into empathetic, thoughtful individuals while preparing future professionals to approach youth development with compassion and understanding.”
