Esther Gillies

Social worker specializing in child abuse and neglect. Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work.

 

Interviewer: Colleen Friend, PhD, Cal State LA

Date: April 22, 2016

An interview with Esther Gillies, chronicling her work in the area of child abuse and neglect over a period of 50 years from 1966 to 2016. She discusses a career closely intertwined with the history of the period – both reflecting and influencing the times. Discussion of public and private sector programs that addressed the newly-identified social problem of child sexual abuse, covering challenges, what worked, how the programs related to the times and contributed to child protection and treatment. Emphasis is on collaborative efforts, the development of multidisciplinary teams and interdisciplinary work, the importance of group work, and community organizing to address the problems. She describes the creativity, innovation, and enthusiasm that was pervasive during the launch of many remarkable programs and organizational efforts to deal with child abuse. Length of interview: 2 hours and 26 minutes

 

Interview Topics
(00:22) - Introduction
(1:17) Becoming a Social Worker 1966; 1976
(9:45) Child Sexual Abuse Project (CSAP) 1980 - 1985 Unique organizational structure; Population served; Cutting edge for its time
(13:10) Interagency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (ICAN)
(16:30) Using Parents Unite Model
(29:10) Child Sexual Abuse Training Center at Children’s Institute International 1985 – 1990; People involved: Hank Giaretto;SenatorJohn Vasconcellos; Organizational structure; Target groups; Methods of service delivery; Creation of CAPSAC and APSAC
(42:41) Child Crisis Center - Harbor UCLA - MDIC's 1984 – 1988; McMartin sexual abuse case; Los Angeles County Child Safety Task Force; Development of the MDIC's, Child Advocacy Centers; Hotline after Something About Amelia
(1:00:20) Cal-State Years 1990 – 2002; The Child Abuse and Family Violence Institute; ASIST - A Child Interview Specialist Training; Funding Sources – OCJP (Office of Criminal Justice Planning and the Attorney General's Office
(1:08:55) Children's Center of the Antelope Valley 1991 – 1999; Child abuse in the Antelope Valley – rural Los Angeles Countyl; Community activism; Innovative program services; Collaborative Efforts – AVANT; Family Preservation
(1:33:25) DCFS - Bureau Chief 2000 – 2001; Super Bureau; Challenges
(1:52:33) Lessons from when professional judgement is not heeded
(1:56.22) USC School of Social Work 2002 – 2012; Introduction of Clinical Teaching Faculty 
(2:11:03) Present 2012 – 2016; California Social Welfare Archives 2007 to the present; Pasadena Village; Pasadena Senior Center
(2:24:25) Her legacy

 

1.     Curriculm Vita

2.     DVD of interview