Meet the Team
Blair Paley, PhD
Blair is invested in utilizing SEEDS programs to support families and schools in developing shared practices and collaborative partnerships to promote the healthy development and wellbeing of young children.
Blair’s work focuses on developing early interventions for parents and caregivers with young children impacted by trauma, prenatal alcohol exposure, and other early adversities, as well as designing professional development opportunities for community providers who work in early childhood settings. She is the Director of the Early Childhood Core in the Division of Population Behavioral Health, and a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Blair has served as Principal Investigator on a number of federally-funded grants focused on the development and dissemination of interventions for young children and families in under-resourced communities. Blair completed her undergraduate work and earned a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from UCLA.
In her free time, Blair plays by getting outside as often as possible to hike and kayak.
Clare Gorospe
Clare leverages her skills in technology and creative design to innovate the implementation of SEEDS from the university setting to the community.
Clare has been a Project Director for several federally-funded grants aimed at developing, implementing, and evaluating interventions for young children and their families. She has over 15 years of experience overseeing operations for clinical, research, and professional development programs. Clare earned a bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science with a specialization in Computing from UCLA.
In her free time, Clare plays tennis and enjoys cheering on her favorite sports teams – go Bruins!
Gabriela Alejos, LCSW
Gabriela believes in the power of play to strengthen relationships and brings that belief into her work with SEEDS.
Gabi conducts early childhood assessments, facilitates groups for parents, families, and professionals, and provides zero to five therapy. She is a certified SEEDS facilitator, FOCUS for Families and Couples trainer, and Level 2 Reflective Parenting facilitator. Gabi earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California with a concentration in Children, Youth, and Families.
In her free time, Gabi plays by baking homemade versions of her favorite snacks (hello, homemade Oreos).
Gustavo Rico
Gustavo Rico is a Training Coordinator at the UCLA Child & Youth Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (COE) and the SEEDS Team. In his position, Gustavo champions for trauma-informed wellness and early childhood trauma informed care. After graduating from San Jose State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology during the height of the pandemic, Gustavo spent two years on the ground delivering critical ABA services throughout LA County.
Now at the UCLA COE and SEEDS, he supports school providers, clinicians, and mental health workers by coordinating essential trainings focused on trauma-informed care.
Gustavo enjoys travel, spending time with his family, and going to the movies!
Jolie Delja, MS
Jolie is energized by working with our SEEDS partners and the amazing early childhood professionals who participate in SEEDS from all across Los Angeles County and beyond.
Jolie has facilitated family programs and professional development programs on school readiness and early childhood trauma-informed care for over ten years. She is a certified SEEDS facilitator, Right From the Start group facilitator, Music Together teacher, and yoga instructor. Jolie earned a bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University and a master’s degree from Harvard School of Public Health with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health.
In her free time, Jolie plays by exploring the great outdoors (she has visited 20+ National Parks and aims for more each year).
Laura Braafladt, LCSW
Laura believes that children do well when their important adults are well resourced through supportive relationships, tools, and developmental guidance. Laura Braafladt is a licensed clinical social worker with a background in early education, and infant and early childhood mental health. She is passionate about supporting educators, children, and families through relationship-based approaches that strengthen connection, reflection, and emotional well-being for both children and adults.
Laura previously served as the Early Care and Education Mental Health Director at Allies for Every Child, where she supported the delivery of mental health services across early learning settings and led the growth of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMH) services. In this role, she provided consultation, reflective practice, clinical supervision, and training to support the capacity of educators and other family serving professionals.
In her free time, Laura enjoys bike rides on the beach with her family and trying new recipes.
Valerie Yarema, MSW, PPSC
Val applies her prior experience as a clinician and her love for connecting with people to her work on the SEEDS team.
Val utilizes a trauma-informed lens to promote the school readiness and emotional wellbeing of young children while supporting the professional development of early childhood professionals. A graduate of UCLA’s Master of Social Welfare program, Val previously served as a school-based therapist for Family Service of Santa Monica where she provided individual therapy, group therapy, and case management services to elementary and high school students. In addition, Val provided therapeutic and educational support services to students attending YouthBuild Charter Schools of California. She also served as a Project Coordinator for the UCLA Division of Population Behavioral Health’s FOCUS for Early Childhood research study where she worked directly with military families with young children.
In her free time, Val plays by going to the beach and winning in Monopoly.
Victoria Lloyd, LCSW, MEd, MPH
Victoria brings her expertise as a bilingual, bicultural social worker and former elementary school teacher to SEEDS.
Victoria works at the intersection of education, public health, and social work. Previously, she served as an elementary school teacher and an Advocacy Fellow for the L.A. Trust for Children’s Health. Victoria is now a school social worker. She is a certified SEEDS facilitator, a Youth Aware of Mental Health facilitator, and a yoga instructor. Victoria earned her bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis, her Master of Education from Southern Methodist University, and her Master of Public Health and Master of Social Welfare from UCLA.
In her free time, Victoria plays by going on coffee walks with friends.