Jessica Pika

She/Her/Hers

Jessica Sheets Pika is the Communications Director at the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), where she oversees CSSP’s internal and external communications strategy with the goal of improving organizational impact, influence, and visibility.  Her work includes oversight of CSSP’s communications strategy from message framing and audience outreach to social media strategy and media relations and relies on close collaboration with staff and external partners. She develops, curates, writes, and edits content; manages consultants and content contributors; manages all digital properties; and develops new activities and content areas for the organization.

Jessica brings more than 20 years of mission-driven communications experience in the non-profit sector to CSSP.  She is particularly focused on using digital social good campaigns and innovative storytelling to shape and change narratives. This includes the creation of the #SeeChange campaign, a digital social justice campaign designed to raise awareness about systemic social justice issues and (at her previous job) the #ThxBirthControl campaign, a reproductive rights campaign designed to raise awareness about access to safe and affordable contraceptive methods. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Political Science from Wake Forest University and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Strategic Communications and Digital Strategy from the University of Oklahoma with an anticipated graduation of May 2024.

#CARES4Power

Follow us on Instagram to learn more about our work, the CARES Ambassadors, and the policies we are building to advance change for all transition age youth.

We know that children and youth do best when they are able to remain in their homes and communities. And when families do become known to the child welfare system, it is the system’s responsibility to partner with families in ways that promote autonomy and provide supports and resources that keep families together. ⁣
⁣
For LGBTQ+ youth and their families, this requires having a system, including staff, that engage youth and families with dignity and are affirming and responsive to their needs, as well as partnerships with a broader network of community-based supports that can meet families’ needs.⁣
⁣
Check out our full statement on how Systems, policies, and communities play an important role in affirming LGBTQ+ young people in the foster care system on our blog.  🔗 in bio.
Young people want to be seen for their whole selves and deserve to feel encouraged, affirmed, and supported as they make their way in the world. 
 
Join us TODAY from 2:30-3:45 PM ET for a panel discussion hosted by @chcidc to talk about opportunities to support and affirm #LGBTQ young people in foster care, featuring LA Ambassador @danie.rose_ 
 
Learn more and register at https://bit.ly/3VcAbA07m
Check out #Atlanta CARES Ambassador Vlad speaking 🗣️ about how he feels about creating policies that help transition-age youth. “Something that I’ll say I enjoy a lot about being a CARES Ambassador is improving people’s lives and giving opportunities. Making policies that will help youth and people in need.”
.
.
.
 #CARES #fostercare #policy #youthpolicies #CARESAmbassador
Check out CARES Ambassador Joseph Mariscal talking about some of the challenges with accessing benefits from state to state and what universal policies should be protected for transition aged youth. #CARES #fostercare #healthcare