At New Era Pedagogics, we believe health and education must evolve together into a new era—one where mental health, learning, and community support are intentionally connected to serve the whole person within coordinated systems of care.
We provide direct mental health services to children, youth, families, and adults, offering compassionate, culturally responsive support that promotes healing, resilience, and overall wellbeing across the lifespan. This direct care is grounded in a deep understanding of how mental health, identity, relationships, and environment shape everyday functioning and long-term outcomes.
In addition, we serve as a consulting partner to schools, health organizations, and non-profits to design and implement equitable, integrated systems that strengthen learning environments and support the whole child. Our consulting work focuses on aligning education, behavioral health, and community resources to improve school climate, organizational culture, and access to coordinated support.
Across both our direct services and consulting practice, our approach is unified by a commitment to culturally responsive, equity-centered care and the belief that sustainable impact requires both high-quality individual support and strong, well-designed systems. Through this dual focus, we help communities move beyond fragmented services toward connected, healing-centered ecosystems that support thriving children, families, and adults.
Dr. Chaunise “Chaun” Powell is a systems disruptor, equity-driven leader, and innovator committed to transforming education and behavioral health systems to better serve children, families, and communities. Hailing from the Bay Area (“Yay Area”), her work is deeply rooted in culture, community, and a relentless commitment to equity.
A licensed clinical social worker, school social worker, and educational leader, Dr. Powell holds a Master of Social Work and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Social Justice. Her career reflects a unique ability to bridge practice, policy, and systems-level change.
Dr. Powell has been instrumental in launching and leading groundbreaking initiatives across California. She founded both the Student Services Division at the Alameda County Office of Education and the Youth Health & Wellness Department at the Santa Clara County Office of Education—advancing integrated models that center the whole child and family.
Her leadership has contributed to some of California’s most transformative statewide efforts, including the California Community Schools Partnership Program, the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, Transforming Together (T2), and the Disrupting Disparities Social Services Advisory Committee. She also serves on multiple county and local boards, helping shape policy and practice across systems.
With experience spanning site-level to county-level leadership, Dr. Powell has served as a school social worker, site administrator, district leader, and county office administrator. Her background also includes work in child welfare, residential treatment, and gang intervention—bringing a comprehensive, real-world lens to her approach.
In addition to her leadership in the field, Dr. Powell is dedicated to developing the next generation of changemakers. She serves as adjunct faculty at San José State University and California State University, East Bay, where she inspires and equips future leaders to challenge systems and lead with purpose.
Beyond her professional work, Dr. Powell is grounded in the transformative power of rest, joy, and connection. Whether spending time with her family and son or riding her motorcycle to Bay Area sounds, she embodies the balance and wellness she advocates for in the systems she helps transform.
It was a pleasure meeting you at the Compliance to Coordination event with SBCSS. Your keynote was invigorating and exactly what we needed - but also what I needed. I directly used your multisolver approach during a webinar I led for our grantees yesterday for Southern Inland Regional Technical Assistance Center on "Partnering Community Organizations " and used some examples of best practices from San Bernardino schools to highlight on the webinar. Thank you so much for the passion and authenticity - I appreciate every bit of it.
Integrated Supports Outreach Specialist | Learning Systems and Supports | Innovation and Engagement 
© 2025 Eric Best. All Rights Reserved
© 2026 New Era Pedagogics. All Rights Reserved
First, let me say, I am still buzzing from last week’s summit and all the valuable information that you and many of the participants shared out regarding youth wellness! Secondly, it was a pleasure to have met you knowing we share similar backgrounds, stories, and experiences growing up as PK’s in metropolitan cities. Fast forward, those hazardous roads, conflicting steps, and journey we’ve taken leads us to a place of service for the community and being change agents in youth wellness for STUDENTS.
Program Manager, Youth and Family Wellness, Reach Out Strengthening Communities Upland, CA