Blog

curaJOY’s Breakthrough Research on AI-Powered Behavioral Healthcare Showcased at WI-IAT 2024

curaJOY, a tech-forward nonprofit addressing global behavioral health inequities, recently captivated audiences at the 23rd IEEE/WIC International Conference on Web Intelligence and Intelligent Agent Technology (WI-IAT 2024). Presented during the AI for Social Good Workshop, their study, “Using LLMs to Analyze Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence Narrative Recordings in Behavioral Health Science,” revealed how AI can revolutionize Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs).
The research, which will be published in the IEEE journal, demonstrated how curaJOY’s cutting-edge AI models outperform traditional methods in automating Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), achieving 82% accuracy in identifying antecedents and 72% in labeling consequences—compared to the current clinical average of 50%. According to recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, FBAs play a crucial role in creating supportive learning environments by identifying and addressing the environmental and behavioral factors that trigger these behaviors. curaJOY’s AI-driven solutions advance this practice by automating key components of FBAs, significantly improving their efficiency and accuracy. By leveraging data-driven methodologies, curaJOY aims to expand access to behavioral health support for marginalized communities worldwide, addressing systemic inequities and empowering educators and clinicians to better meet students’ needs.
Reflections from the Presentation: A Milestone Moment
curaJOY’s presentation drew a full house of machine learning and behavioral health professionals, sparking a dynamic discussion about the future of AI in healthcare. curaJOY’s approach leverages Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT-4 to classify antecedents and consequences from ABC Narrative Recordings, a foundational method in behavioral health science. The session highlighted the success of techniques like Chain-of-Thought (CoT) Prompt Engineering, which guided AI models to reason step-by-step, dramatically improving accuracy and reliability.
Jeevan Redd, curaJOY’s Senior Researcher and key presenter, shared his experience: “The diversity of presentations, ranging from Bayesian statistics to LLMs at the WI-IAT 2024 AI for Social Good workshop, was impressive. curaJOY’s presentation stood out because it uniquely combined deep domain expertise with technical innovation, demonstrating practical applications of AI in behavioral health. The audience’s interest was evident, with methodology sparking the highest number of follow-up questions during the session.”
“The audience’s engagement reinforced the urgency of this work,” said Caitlyn Wang, CEO of curaJOY. “Their insights will shape our next steps in scaling these solutions.”
Why It Matters: Addressing a Global Behavioral Health Crisis
Behavioral health expertise remains out of reach for millions worldwide. curaJOY’s research underscores the stark reality that only 4.7% of Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) practice outside North America, leaving entire regions without sufficient resources to address developmental disabilities and youth mental health challenges. Even in the U.S., where funding is limited, 40% of public schools lack adequate staff to conduct FBAs.
“Our AI-driven solutions are designed to close these gaps, providing culturally adaptive, scalable tools that empower clinicians and families,” emphasized, Haley Scheer, curaJOY’s Digital Health Lead. “This is not just about automating tasks—it’s about democratizing access to behavioral healthcare.”
curaJOY invites educators, healthcare providers, and researchers to collaborate to advance equitable behavioral healthcare. Learn more about the nonprofit’s groundbreaking work, explore partnership opportunities, or support their mission by visiting https://curajoy.org.

December 17, 2024
How AI is Transforming Access and Equity for Students

Behavioral health challenges impact millions globally, yet access to care remains unequal. With only 4.7% of Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) practicing outside North America, many marginalized communities face significant barriers to quality care. curaJOY is addressing this gap with groundbreaking research on using AI to automate Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs)—a critical tool for understanding and improving behavior.
At the 23rd IEEE/WIC International Conference on Web Intelligence and Intelligent Agent Technology (WI-IAT 2024), curaJOY shared its latest findings during the AI for Social Good workshop. Their study, “Using LLMs to Analyze Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence Narrative Recordings in Behavioral Health Science,” highlights how AI can enhance access to evidence-based interventions worldwide.
Why It Matters: Addressing Health Inequities Globally
Behavioral health not only influences personal well-being but also shapes regional economic stability and public health outcomes. Despite its importance, resources are often insufficient where they’re needed most.
The Cost of Disparities: Youth in marginalized communities bear the brunt of these inequities. While Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) are legally mandated for students suspended for 10 days or more, the reality is starkly different. Many schools lack the resources or expertise to conduct FBAs effectively, leaving students without critical interventions. This failure often pushes vulnerable youth closer to the school-to-prison pipeline, where behavioral challenges are punished rather than addressed.
“Behavioral health strongly influences a region’s economic outlook and public health, but resources are insufficient, often in communities with the highest needs,” says Caitlyn Wang, CEO of curaJOY. “Our team has been working on training AI to safely and accurately conduct key psychoeducational assessments. This has the dual advantage of helping clinicians provide better care and allowing families to access evidence-based interventions.”
AI’s Impact: Automating Functional Behavior Assessments
curaJOY’s research focuses on automating Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), which are essential for understanding behaviors and planning effective interventions. Trials show their AI-driven methods achieve 82% accuracy in identifying antecedents and 72% in labeling consequences, significantly outperforming the 50% accuracy typically achieved in clinical environments.
By identifying the root causes of problematic behaviors, curaJOY’s work makes a meaningful dent in the school-to-prison pipeline. Automated FBAs provide schools with actionable insights to support students rather than resorting to punitive measures, creating a more equitable and supportive educational environment.
The Role of AI in Behavioral Healthcare
AI isn’t replacing humans—it’s a tool to amplify their capabilities. By automating time-consuming tasks like FBAs, curaJOY’s technology empowers providers to extend their reach and address critical care gaps.
“With this technology, we can equalize behavioral health expertise and access globally,” Wang explains. “It has the potential to bridge gaps in care and support those in need worldwide.”
curaJOY envisions a future where health and educational institutions worldwide can use AI-driven solutions to streamline psychoeducational assessments and focus on improving accessibility for marginalized communities.
Join the Movement
curaJOY’s work is just the beginning. By addressing systemic barriers and identifying the root causes of behavioral challenges, they are creating real solutions for families and schools. Learn more about their research or find out how you can contribute by visiting https://curajoy.org.

December 13, 2024
Motivation Is More Than A Buzzword: Lessons From a Behavior Analyst
You Can Lead a Horse to Water… But You Can’t Make it Drink
Recently at curaJOY we have been exploring the concept of “motivation” in our All Hands meetings. Our founder and CEO, Caitlyn Wang, brought up that it is often not enough to give people access to tools and resources and expect they will start a new behavior. Why is that? Where does motivation truly come from? How do we define motivation in the first place? This is a topic I have pondered many times in my career and specifically during my tenure as a department manager overseeing a large team of behavior technicians and behavior analysts. I noticed that behaviors as simple as writing a SOAP note that take less than 5 minutes were the ones I was most often chasing down staff to complete. We would spend leadership meetings agonizing over how to improve this behavior that was directly tied to a business metric of being able to bill sessions to insurance in a timely manner. It was a clear expectation that staff learned at onboarding, and it was communicated that they should be converting their sessions with SOAP notes at the very least by the end of each day. I tried explaining to the team again the importance of this behavior and the harmful outcomes that often hurt clients in the long run if we are not completing timely billing to insurance. I thought that perhaps it was just a misunderstanding and the team wasn’t clear on the expectations.
Tried and Tested (Unsuccessful) Strategies
We tried a laundry list of things that DIDN’T work:
- Clarifying the expectations
- Training on strategies to optimize this workflow and make it easy to complete within a busy day
- Explaining the rationale for this behavior
- Entering staff members with perfect timely conversion into a drawing for a gift card
- Issuing reminder emails/texts/messages to convert session notes
- Talking to individuals who were frequent offenders of late submissions
- Corrective action plans that would work temporarily and then the minute they were complete would often show regression
Evaluating Severity
In addition to these failed tactics, we faced a bigger dilemma: was this behavior important enough to warrant serious consequences, such as letting go of an employee? Was it serious enough to warrant not getting paid until this task was completed? I noticed we had three types of employees with regards to this behavior: the “all star” technicians who would convert on time, no questions asked, 100% of the time; the “occasionally forgetful” technicians who would convert on time mostly, but needed an occasional reminder; and the “frequent offenders” technicians who I would bet money on them having unconverted sessions at the end of the week. The frustrating part is that this behavior did not reflect how good they were at their jobs. It was not uncommon to have technicians who were amazing in direct client sessions, built strong rapport with families and coworkers, and yet just would not complete the small administrative duties of the job in a timely manner.
Gamifying Motivation
One year as we approached the end of the year and the pressure to impact this business metric was rising, we tried a new tactic. Our clinic’s spirit week was approaching, and in a meeting with my BCBAs we discussed potential opportunities to incentivize this behavior. We decided to implement a version of the “Good Behavior Game”, an evidence-based behavior intervention, and valiantly offered up our dignity on a platter as the reward. The BCBAs (supervisors) made a video pitching this “challenge” to the behavior technicians: we would compete as teams, BCBAs versus behavior technicians, and whichever team won could choose costumes for the opposing team for spirit week. We made a large game board with a roadmap to victory and spaces for each of the days. Each team had a game piece that represented them. On any day that the behavior technicians had all of their notes converted before the following morning, they would move forward one space. On any day that they did NOT have all their notes converted, the BCBAs would move forward one space. You might be rolling your eyes at this concept or doubting its effectiveness, but never underestimate the power of group contingencies and the opportunity to gently humiliate your supervisors 😉
Why Did This Work?
What was the outcome? The behavior technicians had a partial win, having progressed far enough to earn choosing costumes for half of the BCBAs. Hilarity ensued. They chose ridiculous costumes, and the BCBAs took it in stride. Was this a successful tactic overall? In my opinion, yes. It wasn’t perfect, but it made a notable impact both socially and for our metric of converted notes. So, why was this tactic effective?
1. Group contingency – all behavior technicians had to participate in order for them to progress, which requires cooperation
2. Peer support – rather than top-down support, this intervention relied on peers to encourage each other which is often times more meaningful
3. Reward – although silly, it was something tangible and novel. It was an opportunity to connect with supervisors in an atypical way. Like I said, never underestimate the power of an opportunity to gently humiliate your supervisors 🙂
You could also throw in that it was specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound: the good ol’ SMART framework.
The Moral of the Story Is…
So what does this mean in the bigger context of a conversation about motivation? First off, behavior is behavior. All behavior is learned, all behavior can be shaped, and all behavior is a product of environmental and contextual variables. We often think of behavior analysis as being a “therapy” tool for a very specific population, but in reality it is just the science of behavior and is applicable to nearly every industry and population. The key is to understand what those environmental and contextual variables are, and start implementing strategic tactics to support positive change. To bring it back to motivation, it boils down to this: if a behavior is not getting rewarded (either externally or because it is automatically rewarding for the individual), it will not continue or increase. Sometimes motivation must be creatively cultivated, and that is OK. If you find yourself asking the question “why are my staff not motivated to do this?” then chances are that behavior does not have an appropriate consequence or reward. Artificial reinforcement such as gift cards, social praise (company shout outs), prizes, or even time off, can be highly effective in establishing positive behaviors, and can be faded out over time. If you find yourself saying in response, “I shouldn’t need to give gift cards for my staff to do this behavior,” then perhaps it’s time to truly evaluate how important this behavior is to you and start by implementing the first set of strategies that don’t require a reward. If you have done that and still insist this is an important behavior, some positive reinforcement strategies are a good place to start. As always, take data and assess the impact. May you instill the gift of motivation to all those around you!
November 25, 2024
Breakthrough in AI for Behavioral Health

In a world where demand for mental and behavioral health services is at an all-time high, access to qualified care remains a significant barrier, particularly outside North America. With only about 4.7% of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)—specialized practitioners who assess and treat behavioral challenges—practicing outside the United States and Canada, millions of individuals, families, and schools worldwide face limited access to essential behavioral health support.
Addressing a Global Behavioral Health Challenge
Behavioral health, unlike mental health, focuses on how behaviors impact overall well-being and includes conditions that involve observable actions, such as autism, ADHD, and substance use disorders. Mental health typically centers on emotional and psychological well-being, while behavioral health addresses behaviors that can influence both physical and mental health. A crucial part of behavioral health care involves Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs), which analyze patterns to identify root causes and guide effective interventions.
However, conducting FBAs is labor-intensive and time-consuming, requiring certified practitioners to observe and interpret complex behavioral patterns. This challenge is exacerbated by the shortage of BCBAs globally, especially in regions with limited resources. That’s where curaJOY’s latest research comes in. Our team developed an innovative solution using Chain-of-Thought prompting with Large Language Models (LLMs) to automate and streamline FBA analysis. Our AI model has achieved 82% accuracy in identifying antecedents (the events or conditions leading up to a behavior) and 72% accuracy in labeling consequences (the events following a behavior). These results surpass current human providers, marking a significant leap forward in automating behavioral assessments and expanding care access.
How This Technology Works
Our approach breaks down complex behavioral narratives into manageable steps that AI can analyze with high accuracy. This method, known as Chain-of-Thought prompting, guides the model to logically work through each step of the behavioral analysis, resulting in a level of precision previously reserved for human practitioners. By automating parts of the FBA process, our AI technology reduces the time practitioners spend on data collection and analysis, enabling them to focus more on designing individualized, effective interventions—ultimately improving the quality of care while expanding access to those in need.
Empowering Behavioral Health Professionals Through Upskilling
curaJOY’s commitment goes beyond developing AI-driven tools. We believe that true impact comes from empowering the people at the heart of behavioral health care. That’s why we’re actively working to upskill behavioral health professionals by providing them with knowledge and training in AI and machine learning. By involving practitioners directly in the AI development process, we ensure that our models align with clinical needs and support real-world applications.
This upskilling initiative does more than just refine our technology; it builds an ecosystem where behavioral health experts help shape the AI solutions they use, fostering trust, ethical application, and sustainability. In this way, AI becomes a complementary tool that enhances human expertise, helping close skill gaps and creating a more resilient approach to care.
Why This Breakthrough Matters
curaJOY’s AI-driven approach addresses a critical equity issue in behavioral health: lack of access to qualified practitioners. Starting with psychoeducational assessment, we open the door for regions with limited resources to conduct high-quality behavioral health assessments without requiring in-house BCBAs. This impact is especially transformative for rural and underserved communities, where individuals and families often face limited access to specialized behavioral health services. curaJOY’s solution doesn’t just make assessments faster—it brings meaningful support closer to those who need it most.
A Step Toward Equitable Behavioral Health Access
As curaJOY’s technology evolves, we see it playing a vital role in democratizing behavioral health care. By using advanced AI tools to address gaps in global health access, we’re helping make high-quality behavioral health services a reality for all communities, regardless of geographic or economic barriers.
We are honored that this work has been recognized by the 23rd IEEE/WIC International Conference on Web Intelligence and Intelligent Agent Technology. curaJOY’s data team lead, Jeevan Beedareddy, will present our research at WI-IAT’s AI for Social Good workshop this December. This recognition is a testament to curaJOY’s commitment to using AI for positive social change and to empowering communities worldwide.
What’s Next for curaJOY?
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue refining and expanding this technology. We’re exploring partnerships with educational institutions, health organizations, and community groups to pilot our solution in underserved areas. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to a world where every person has access to the behavioral health resources they need, regardless of location or socioeconomic status.

November 14, 2024
Navigating AI Ethics: Building a Future of Fairness and Trust

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed the way we live, work, and interact. But with this power comes a responsibility to ensure AI systems are fair, transparent, and respect human rights. Addressing ethical challenges is more critical than ever as we move deeper into an AI-driven world. Let’s explore some of the pressing AI ethics challenges and how a responsible approach can pave the way for a safer, more inclusive future.
Addressing AI Bias for Fair Outcomes
One of the most significant ethical challenges in AI is addressing bias to ensure fairness across all demographics. AI systems learn from data, but if that data contains biases, the AI can amplify them, leading to discriminatory outcomes. This is especially concerning in fields like hiring, healthcare, and law enforcement, where biased decisions can have far-reaching impacts.
To counteract this, it’s essential to use inclusive and diverse datasets that represent all sections of society. By actively working to identify and minimize bias, AI developers can create systems that make decisions fairly and equitably. Regular bias checks and fairness evaluations should be a cornerstone of ethical AI development, ensuring that AI does not inadvertently reinforce existing societal inequalities.
Transparency and Explainability: Building Trust
AI’s “black box” nature—where complex decisions are made without a clear, understandable reasoning process—can erode public trust. When AI systems make decisions impacting people’s lives, they need to be transparent and explainable. Providing clear explanations for AI decisions allows individuals to understand why certain choices are made, which is especially critical in sectors like finance, healthcare, and criminal justice.
Transparency is not just a technical goal but a moral obligation to the people affected by AI decisions. By making AI decisions understandable, we can foster trust and empower users to make informed choices in an AI-driven world.
Privacy by Design: Protecting User Data
Privacy is a major concern as AI systems process vast amounts of personal data. Implementing a “privacy by design” approach ensures that privacy safeguards are integrated from the very start, rather than as an afterthought. This means only collecting essential data, securing it through robust data protection measures, and enabling users to have control over their information.
Data privacy is especially important when sensitive information, such as health or financial data, is involved. By embedding privacy practices into AI development, we can protect user rights and build AI systems that are both ethical and secure.
Supporting Human Agency and Autonomy
AI has enormous potential to assist humans, but it should never replace human decision-making in critical areas. Preserving human agency means AI should augment, not replace, human judgment. In areas like healthcare, legal judgments, and personal finance, final decisions should rest with human experts, ensuring that people have control over their lives.
Human-centered design, which keeps individuals at the heart of AI systems, helps maintain this balance. It ensures that AI remains a supportive tool, one that respects human autonomy and fosters collaboration between people and technology.
A Responsible Approach for the Future
Building ethical AI systems requires collaboration, commitment, and accountability. Policymakers, developers, and industry leaders must work together to align AI with societal values and norms. Regular ethical risk assessments, inclusive data practices, and human-centered design can help address these challenges and build a foundation for responsible AI.
As we look toward the future, our vision is to create AI systems that not only serve society but also uphold the values of fairness, transparency, and accountability. By embracing a responsible approach to AI ethics, we can unlock AI’s potential for good while safeguarding human rights and trust. In doing so, we create a world where AI serves humanity in a way that is ethical, equitable, and safe.
In summary, the journey toward ethical AI development is ongoing, but with a commitment to fairness, transparency, and privacy, we can create a future where AI technology enhances our world and respects the values that make us human.

November 5, 2024
Dear Daughter, And to Every Young Person Feeling the Pressure

Junior year of high school can feel like a battleground. You’re loaded up with AP classes, preparing for the SAT, outdoing each other in extracurricular activities and trying to map out a future that everyone says depends on this one year. “It’s make or break time.,” they tell you. I’ve been feeling frantic, depressed, and anxious about your upcoming possibly worst report card. I’ve tried getting you tutors, taking away your phone, nagging, and locking down the wifi.
You tell me that I’m not helping, and giving you too much pressure–I never intended to add to the stress. This letter is for you, my dear daughter, but it’s also for every teen out there who feels weighed down by the constant drive to achieve. And for every parent, who feels the same weight from another side. You’re stressed, and I am too. It got to the point where I couldn’t even focus on my own work. We’re all in this together, so can we talk?
The Achievement Trap
Right now, you’re facing sleepless nights trying to keep up with your workload. It drives me nuts to see how often you’re pulled into distractions—the social media scrolling, the dozen browser tabs that switch back and forth as you study. I know how easy it is to feel like you need to prove yourself in a thousand different ways at once. And I’m scared, too—scared that a bad report card will change the way you see yourself, and that maybe you’ll start doubting your potential or even giving up entirely. I’m afraid you might start hanging out with the wrong crowd—other kids who have given up, which would only make things worse. I’m also scared that if your grades fall, it will reflect my own failure as a parent.
But then I think about myself at your age. I woke up at 4:30 in the morning to study for the SAT and played tennis. I thought my happiness depended on whether I was the varsity team captain, got into a prestigious university, or hit that perfect score. I wrote about this in another post, called “Addicted to Achievements”. Back then, I kept setting the bar higher and higher for myself, convincing myself that if I could just meet these goals, life would be all set.
But the truth is, what I thought would bring me happiness never lasted. The struggles in life don’t end just because you hit a target. In retrospect, I became smaller when I let those achievements define me. I fooled myself into thinking that my worth was tied to scores and titles, and the more I chased them, the more powerless I felt. I don’t want that for you because nothing has ever brought me as much happiness as having you in my life.
Balancing Goals and Self-Compassion
It’s not that I want you to give up on striving or aiming high. Ambition is a beautiful thing. But I want you to know that your worth is not defined by a grade, a college acceptance letter, or what anyone else says about you. I want you to understand that your achievements should be milestones, not measures of your value.
It’s hard to find balance in our society. There’s a constant pressure to do more, achieve more, and show the world that you’re capable. But I hope you’ll consider that all that’s really important is that you’re moving forward with purpose, not just distraction. That you’re doing the best you can, and that you’re not losing sight of who you are along the way.
I promise that I’ll try to remember this, too. I’ll remind myself that I love you exponentially more than any pride I feel from your achievements. And I hope we can be gentle with each other, even when things don’t go as planned.
A Shared Commitment: Empathy and Honest Reflection
I don’t have a perfect solution for you, or for myself. I don’t have a simple answer for how we can make these pressures disappear, because they won’t. In the meanwhile, the best solution starts with empathy—for each other, and for ourselves. Give me a chance before you brush me off. We need to take a moment to stand in each other’s shoes. Trying to do your pre-calculus homework reminded me how much effort you put in, and I know you’re doing your best. I hope you also see that I’m trying my best as your mom, even when I get frustrated or anxious.
Let’s be honest with each other, and with ourselves, about what really matters—about what’s worth worrying about and what isn’t. To all the teens out there, and to my daughter: I want you to know that your parents are worried because they love you, not because they care more about your grades than you. And to all the parents, like me, who sometimes get lost in the expectations: let’s remember that what really matters is that our kids are happy, healthy, and learning to love themselves.
In the end, all I want for you, my dear daughter, is to live and thrive in this world even when I’m gone. All we’re doing is in preparation for that. Let’s try to remember that, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll find our way through this, stronger and more connected than before. We’ll all be ok.
p.s. Whatever the report card says in a few weeks, you didn’t let me down. I love you more than anything you might achieve.

November 3, 2024
Breaking the Entry-Level Hiring Cycle:
A Call for Employers and Young Professionals to Collaborate
We have a system that isn’t set up for the benefit of either job seekers or employers. On the one hand, recent graduates are desperate for a foot in the door; on the other, employers face a deluge of applications and quiet quitting, and without a clear way to evaluate cultural fit or soft skills.
Recent grads spend 6 months to a year trying to land that first job, often competing (unsuccessfully) with those who have more experience. It’s even tougher for non-US citizens and bootcamp grads.
A volunteer recently said to me: “I’m not aiming high. Just trying to find any entry-level job in the field, but every posting requires 1-3 years of related work experience. But how are we supposed to have work experience if we can’t get hired for an entry-level job?”
I hear this often because I work with a lot of young professionals through curaJOY —many without real work experience in their desired field. And it takes a tremendous effort to upskill youth and others taking non-traditional paths into tech. But this effort is crucial if we want a future where technology remains responsible and AI stays ethical. curaJOY is building an ecosystem where diverse communities are empowered to shape the future of tech, education, and wellness. We need more people and companies to help.
👟 In the Shoes of Job Applicants
“I applied to 1,000 jobs and got one callback!”
“My parents sent me to grad school in the US, and I haven’t talked to them for a month because I don’t know how to explain why I still don’t have a job.”
These sentiments are shared by many here. Our volunteers are talented: over 84% hold a Master’s degree or higher, and they come from reputable schools like UC, Carnegie Mellon, and Rutgers. They’ve been to career fairs, networked, and still face rejection after rejection–often without feedback, so they have no idea how to improve or move forward.
This week, I took a group of volunteers, who all happen to be job hunting, to dinner. They shared networking tips and exchanged sources for “hidden jobs.” The despair was palpable and contagious. They felt they were doing everything “right”—but it wasn’t working. I’m reminded of Einstein’s famous quote: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over yet expecting different results.” But what should they be doing differently?
I wish there was a way to get them all hired. No single organization can absorb all the applicants out there. So for now, curaJOY provides volunteers with real projects where they can prove their skill sets—where they can show, not just tell, what they’re capable of. It doesn’t have to be the current cycle of frustration—an unyielding loop where bright young minds are left feeling inadequate, hopeless even, as they struggle to get their foot in the door.
🏢 In the Shoes of Employers
Sometimes I catch myself grumbling about the amount of training newcomers need. Workplace etiquette, standard approval flows, and the basics of navigating corporate culture. And then I remind myself that my daughters will be in that adulting phase of job hunting soon and how lucky I am not to be a job hunter today.
For employers, investing time in interviewing or training sometimes feels like poor ROI. Applicants are desperate; they’ll often say and agree to anything to get a job, and yet you can’t truly know how they’ll perform until they’re hired.
And there’s the problem of the sheer volume of applicants. We’ve even shut down volunteer recruitment because we couldn’t manage the volume—over 500+ unread applications. And this is for unpaid volunteer opportunities!
🚀 What Can You Do?
Let’s break the cycle of despair and frustration that so many recent grads find themselves in. It’s about fostering resilience, community, and change—both as job seekers and as employers. Whether you’re a job seeker or an employer, here are some steps we can all take to make this landscape a little less daunting:
For Job Applicants:
1. Invest in Learning: An investment in yourself is never wasted. Upskilling doesn’t have to mean expensive courses. (In fact, I recommend not investing both time and money into BootCamp or similar programs in the current economy.) Use platforms like Coursera, edX, or even YouTube. Show employers that you’re proactive, curious, and ready to learn.
2. Take on Challenges: Don’t wait for opportunities—create them. Employers want tangible proof of your skills, and a strong track record speaks volumes. Get beyond the fluff–tackle difficult projects, redesign, performance improvement, or coordinate international cross-functional teams–anything that demonstrates your adaptability and capability at the caliber your dream employer seeks.
3. Volunteer to Prove Yourself: Volunteering may not be paid, but you can use it to show what you’re capable of. Seek out opportunities that help you grow and build your resume and network. At curaJOY, we’ve seen many volunteers go on to secure amazing opportunities after proving themselves through real-world projects. If you’re going to spend your time on anything, see it to the end and always aim for something measurable that can be attributed directly to your efforts.
For Employers:
I’ve been on the hiring side for over two decades, including a stint in C-suite headhunting early in my career. I understand the struggle of finding the right people. Today’s generation of workers comes with a unique set of strengths and challenges. Loyalty often seems fleeting, skillsets can be uneven, and there’s no easy way to predict how someone will fit with your team until they’re in the trenches.
But here’s what I’ve also learned over the years: People are the heartbeat of every organization. They can make or break a company. The challenges in hiring are undeniable, but rather than lamenting them, let’s focus on practical solutions that can help us navigate this ever-evolving landscape.
If you’re an employer struggling to find the right candidate, consider contract hiring one of our skilled curaJOY volunteers. They come with strong qualifications, hands-on project experience, and, importantly, the kind of resilience and adaptability that isn’t easily taught. (I can tell you how dedicated they are when they’re not paid, and you’re guaranteed to get more from them on payroll.) They’ve proven themselves in real projects with tangible outcomes.
Test the waters, see firsthand what they bring to the table, and assess how well they fit into your company culture—all without the full commitment of a permanent hire. Many of our volunteers are ready and eager to make an impact. They’re motivated, adaptable, and already accustomed to working under guidance and with diverse teams—traits that are crucial for success in today’s collaborative work environments.
People may not come ready-made, but with the right environment and the right opportunity, they can grow into exactly what your organization needs. We just need to be willing to take that first step together.
Employers, interested in giving contract hiring a try? Drop me a message if you’d like to discuss which one of our skilled volunteers can help meet your organization’s needs on a flexible basis. (Agencies, do not contact me for business opportunities. We are a tech nonprofit creating behavioral health/wellness solutions. There is zero desire to get into any placement business.)
October 31, 2024
Snowballing Problems

The internet is a weird place. You can find pictures of cats, deep dives about a niche franchise older than you are, or in some cases, people talking about their existential crisis/incidents they just emerged from. Things ranging from “I’m 35 years old and after so much burnout and deep depression, I’ve finally found my drawing style” to “I’ve finally realized what I’ve been missing in life. It wasn’t another car, but a purpose in life”. And when I look at these posts, sorry if I come off as rude, but I can’t relate. Not to the posts about finally finding a job/house and thus becoming less stressed, but the previous examples I listed, the ones about higher callings, or finally overcoming past problems, or moving on past material wealth. Whenever I see stories like those, I think to myself “It took you that long to find your drawing style?” or “I thought purpose being more important than cars was kind of given”. Going back to my previous statement of saying that I can’t relate to that, it’s a bit more complex than that. In some ways, I can understand, but in others, I can’t.
I can understand the feeling of an existential crisis. I’ve had them before, and I think that every human will have them at least once. Keep in mind that an existential crisis is defined by a period of questioning one’s life decisions/purpose/identity. Nothing in the definition about it having to be long or extremely detrimental. I have had times where I thought I was going down the wrong path, or where I’ve had meltdowns of disproportionate negativity, or where I’ve felt like I wasn’t good at anything/didn’t have a purpose, but these always lasted for a short time; a few days at most. Sure, they were intense, but I was always able to carry on and learn my lesson from it. For the longest time, until one month ago actually, I thought that I was an especially dysfunctional case, that because of my autism I was an all around emotionally unstable wreck of a child. But now, I learn that I am actually a more tame case of meltdowns, that I wasn’t actually that bad. This makes me feel ¾ relieved, ¼ worried. On one hand, I am so relieved that I wasn’t such a horrible person and pain to deal with. On the other hand, if what I consider terrible is actually fine, how bad can people get? The answer is, ten years or more, running on empty, hopelessly and aimlessly wandering around bad. Oftentimes however, these situations seem to stem from rather simple problems or ones that could have been countered early on. Taking time to reflect throughout your day instead of trying to hurry on to the next thing. Remembering to take a mental health day off instead of trying to power through. Dealing with subconscious feelings of anxiety. All of these are simple things, but when small problems like these are ignored, they can grow exponentially. Not thinking about the reasoning behind one’s actions can lead to disillusionment over one’s purpose. Not taking time off to relax the mind can lead to month long burnout and depression. Small worries can soon blow up to a full panic attack. Just like it isn’t a good idea to pay your housing bills late when you can pay them early, it isn’t a good idea to put off your problems. Problems are like bags of trash. In the beginning, they might not smell that bad or be tolerable, but they must be disposed of/solved. Don’t deal with them and they start to smell. Flies start flying around and other disgusting things. Keep on ignoring them and soon it becomes a health hazard so deadly anybody within range not wearing a hazmat suit passes out from the noxious rotting garbage. What’s the solution? Take out the trash before it becomes a health concern! Confront your anxieties, your worries, and your concerns before they become too heavy for you to carry.

October 19, 2024
AI for Good Workshop

RSVP
Are you passionate about responsible technology and making a social impact? We’ve got the perfect event for you! Join us for the AI for Good workshop, hosted by Bright Data and curaJOY. This immersive, free workshop is designed to explore the powerful intersection of AI, data science, and tech for good. Mark your calendars for October 9th from 11:30 am to 1 pm PST.

Topics that will be covered:
Ethical considerations of collecting public web data: Let’s have an honest conversation about the ethics of data collection. We’ll explore responsible technology practices and ensure our efforts in AI and data science align with ethical standards.
The inseparable nature of AI and data: Discover why AI and data are a dynamic duo in today’s tech landscape. Learn about real-world applications and the synergy between these two powerhouse technologies.
Importance of data diversity for training AI models: Understand why diverse data sets are essential for creating fair and unbiased AI. We’ll discuss how diversity in data contributes to more equitable tech solutions.
Understanding public web data: Dive into the world of public web data. We’ll cover how it can be ethically sourced, and its incredible potential for driving innovation.
The threat to Public Web Data and what that means for AI: Learn about the challenges and threats facing public web data. Understand the implications for AI development and how we can safeguard this vital resource.

AI for Good Workshop RSVP

Name

Email

Captcha

If you are human, leave this field blank.

October 2, 2024
Peer pressured into academic pressure

At the beginning of the second semester of my sophomore year of highschool, I made the decision to take AP Chemistry instead of a free period. And just like that, I was on track to have the hardest, most tiring semester I’ve ever had.
It’s not as though it wasn’t obvious to me at the time that AP Chemistry would make my schedule incredibly difficult, as I was already taking AP World History and English 10H, which is known to be one of the worst combos of classes that I could take, especially since I’m not that good at writing in the first place (a bit ironic given that I’m writing a blog post right now). Combine this with AP Calculus BC, and my schedule was already hard enough as it was. So why did I feel the need to take AP Chemistry? The answer is simple: academic pressure.
All around me, I could see my friends and other classmates getting ready to take AP Chemistry, after having taken Honors Chemistry the previous semester (at my school, the school year is split into two semesters and 4 quarters total, with a different set of classes for each semester, similar to a college schedule). I myself had also taken honors chemistry, which I did pretty well in. As such, not taking AP Chemistry, when so many of my other friends had done worse in Honors Chemistry but were still planning on taking AP Chemistry, felt as though I was wasting some potential of mine, and that taking AP Chemistry, while probably painful, would be worth it in the long run.
This case of academic pressure drove me to transfer into AP Chemistry, which I did end up doing pretty well in. However, the cost of such a decision was that I ended up dropping out of track and field to focus on academics, and even with that I was sleeping at 1-2am daily halfway through the semester.
This incredibly heavy and unhealthy workload meant that I was often working for several hours every day after school, and often many more hours during the weekends as well. As such, my life began to revolve around school, to the point that trying to relax was itself stressful, as I subconsciously felt as though I should be doing work or sleeping instead.
The result of this consistent work, work and more work meant that I ended up burning out during the final weeks of school, causing me to slack off during AP tests, which resulted with me getting a 4 on AP Computer Science Principles, which the class most related to the field of work I plan to enter. This burn out also meant that even after a month into the summer, I was unable to motivate myself into spending time on any work at all, so I was unable to study much for my SATs.
Academic pressure can occur in many different ways. You can feel pressured if your grades aren’t that great, and you can also feel pressured if your grades are high. At the end of it all, this academic pressure will rarely have a positive impact on your performance, and will most likely result in making poor choices, building even more stress and pressure to do well. As such, often times it is best to ignore what outside influences may try to impress upon you, and simply do the best that you can, in what you want to do. After all, there is only so much most people can do when it comes to each specific school subject. Of course, it is still important to do your best when it comes to something you aren’t good at, but even with a few low grades you can still end up having a good life, as long as you can show that you did your best.

September 25, 2024
Youth Voice in Youth-Centered Technology

In a world fueled by rapid technological advancements, it’s more important than ever for kids to have a say in youth-focused technology. Why? Because our voices in this space are severely limited.
Just as products are designed with a specific audience in mind—like cancer treatments for those battling cancer or glasses tailored to people with vision problems (for example, switching out lenses to find one best fit for you)—youth-targeted technology should involve input from its intended users. You don’t see opticians testing their frames on people with 20/20 vision… it just doesn’t make sense. The same logic applies to tech designed for kids and teens. So, why aren’t we, the youth, more involved in shaping these products?
Considering how much time we spend on our devices, especially from a parent’s perspective, it’s baffling that there aren’t more opportunities for us to give feedback on the products made for us (for example, mental health apps.) We love our phones, and technology is woven into our daily lives. As a student and a kid, I rely on tech every day—assignments, QR codes for classrooms, group projects, and even communication for extracurricular activities all happen online. It’s almost impossible to get through school without it. The idea of working on a group project in just forty minutes of class time without staying in touch online? It’s outdated, and we don’t use carrier pigeons anymore.
From this, it’s clear that we, the youth, are one of the most technology-dependent populations. We’re the people with myopia, and technology is our glasses (it’s sad, but it’s true.) . But here’s the problem: we aren’t given any say in the design or development of these “glasses”—the tech products we use every day. Why is that?
Factors leading to our silence
Legal and Bureaucratic Barriers
It’s hard to speak. Gathering input from anyone under 18 often involves layers of legal hurdles. Companies need consent from both parents and minors, signed publicity forms, and laws in some countries that restrict minors’ participation in research or product testing due to data protection concerns. to mention dealing with laws that restrict minors’ participation in research or product testing due to data protection concerns. Because of this tedious process, most kids and their parents opt out of research/UserTesting opportunities, which are few.
Ethical Concerns in AI
There’s a worry that kids might not fully understand the implications of their participation in research. What if the child doesn’t understand what they’re doing? They are not capable of simple comprehension at such an age… what if they regret taking my online survey… These are valid concerns, but ignoring youth feedback means going in blind when creating products meant for them, and feedback is crucial for success!
Bias against youth input
Let’s face it— kids can be dumb. There’s a common perception that because we’re not eighteen, our opinions don’t matter. We don’t know any better. We can lack experience and rationality, so why even bother asking for our opinion on subjects that actually impact us? Our voices are often dismissed in favor of those older and “wiser.” But this is short-sighted, because developers aren’t making resources for those types of people. They’re making it for us. When creating something for a specific group, that group’s insights should be central to the process.
Because of these challenges, researchers often bypass collecting youth data altogether. But that doesn’t mean our perspectives don’t matter. Kids can contribute so much to society if we are just given the chance, and I’ll talk just about that in my next blog post. Stay tuned!

September 19, 2024
The Role of Community in Suicide Prevention

It’s often said that you might not fully understand a feeling until it hits close to home. That was true for me when my brother confided in me that he had attempted suicide a couple of times in the past week. I was both shocked and scared, unsure how to process the gravity of what he was saying and how to respond. I felt overwhelmed by the thought of losing him, but I knew I had to focus on his pain, his experiences, and what was going on in his life.
As he talked about feeling overwhelmed by everything happening around him, I was reminded of my own struggles. There had been times when I too had either attempted or seriously considered ending my life. The common thread between my brother and me? Isolation. We were both silently fighting our inner battles, and no one around us had any idea what was going on in our minds. How could they? We grew up in a society that often labels depression as a weakness. Instead of being encouraged to seek help, we were more likely to hear phrases like, “You need to get yourself together.”
It’s no surprise that Africa has the highest suicide rate in the world according to the World Health Organization, with more than half of those deaths triggered by depression. In societies where mental health issues are stigmatized, people tend to withdraw into themselves, unable to seek the help they desperately need. This isolation is dangerous, and it’s something we must work to address as a community.
The Power of Connection
Community plays a crucial role in suicide prevention. Isolation can intensify feelings of despair, but being part of a supportive, understanding community can be a lifeline. When people feel connected to others—when they feel seen, heard, and valued—it becomes easier to share their struggles and seek help. Communities have the power to break down the barriers of stigma, to replace silence with conversations, and to provide the emotional support necessary to prevent suicide.
In my own experience, I’ve come to realize how much stronger we are together than we are alone. When my brother and I started talking openly about our struggles, it felt like a weight had been lifted. We didn’t have all the answers, but we had each other. That sense of connection, that ability to be vulnerable with someone else, was life-changing. It made us realize that we weren’t alone in our battles.
Building Communities with curaJOY
Organizations like curaJOY are essential in the fight against suicide. We understand that building emotionally supportive communities is one of the most effective ways to combat social isolation and promote mental wellness. By creating safe spaces where people can connect, share, and support one another, curaJOY is fostering environments that prioritize emotional health and well-being.
At the heart of curaJOY’s mission is the belief that emotional intelligence and social skills are key to mental wellness. We design programs that help individuals build resilience, navigate their emotions, and form meaningful connections with others. These communities not only support emotional growth but also provide a safety net for those who may be struggling. When people have a place where they feel accepted, and where they can speak freely without judgment, they are less likely to suffer in silence.
My favorite time of the week is our Monday full-team meetings. These virtual meetings provide a safe space where we can openly discuss both personal and professional challenges. It’s an opportunity not only to share our struggles but also to hear valuable advice and experiences from other team members. The sense of support and understanding in these meetings helps to foster a deep sense of community and reminds us that we’re never alone in facing life’s difficulties.
curaJOY’s focus on developing emotional wellness from a young age helps build a culture of openness and support through our Youth Ambassadors Program. By teaching children how to express their emotions, cope with stress, and seek help when needed, they are empowering future generations to break the cycle of isolation that often leads to suicide.
Conclusion
Suicide prevention is not a solo journey—it requires the collective efforts of families, friends, and communities. We must work together to create an environment where no one feels alone in their struggles. It’s about replacing judgment with understanding, isolation with connection, and silence with open, compassionate conversations.
By building strong, supportive communities, we can make a difference. We can be there for each other in the moments that matter most. And we can work to ensure that no one has to face the darkness of depression alone.

September 10, 2024