Safe Children Coalition, Inc.的动态

To empower youth in foster care, one must understand and appreciate how Black history intersects with the child welfare system in America today. Here are five resources for allyship with Black youth in foster care this #BlackHistoryMonth. https://rebrand.ly/y892tvs

?? As we recognize National Child Welfare Workforce Development Month this September, it’s vital to highlight the unique challenges faced by Black children and families within the child welfare system. While acknowledging the experiences of other disproportionately impacted communities, such as Hispanic and Native American families, the specific realities that Black families face are often overlooked. ???? Black children are overrepresented in foster care and child protection systems, while also being more likely to be removed from their homes and face longer stays in care. These disparities not only reflect historical inequities but also biases that persist in our social structures today. ?? This month is a reminder that the incredible professionals working in child welfare—our social workers, caseworkers, and support staff—play a critical role in addressing these disparities. Their work is essential, but so is ensuring that the system they operate within is equipped to serve all communities equitably, including Black families. ??? By prioritizing workforce development, we can ensure that child welfare workers have the training, support, and resources to confront these systemic issues. A culturally competent and diverse workforce is key to reshaping the system into one that serves every child fairly and ensures that no family—regardless of race—slips through the cracks. Let’s continue to advocate for justice and equity for all children, while honoring the dedication of the professionals who make this possible. #ChildWelfare #RacialEquity #BlackFamilies #WorkforceDevelopment #Advocacy #SocialJustice #ChildWelfareWorkforce

The words of William Ellery Channing hold immense power for the fight for racial justice. In child welfare, UnSystems built on equity and compassion can empower families, not perpetuate disparities. But how do we get from "love of power" to "power of love" in practice? It starts with dismantling racist structures and implicit biases within the system. It means listening to the experiences of families of color and centering their needs. Let's work together to build UnSystems rooted in love and justice. Here's what you can do: Educate yourself on racial bias in child welfare. Advocate for policies that dismantle systemic racism. Amplify the voices of families of color. Together, we can create a more just UnSystem for all children and families. #RacialJustice #ChildWelfare #Equity

These are excellent trainings on helping your regions child welfare serving public and private sectors become KinFirst in their practices of best serving children and families #kinship #kinfirst #childwelfare #fostercare

States are optimistic about new and growing prevention efforts and eager to provide additional supports for families—including families with infants and toddlers—that truly meet their needs and reduce child maltreatment and child welfare system involvement. With the current emphasis on expansion, this is an ideal time for new and constructive partnerships between child welfare and early childhood agencies to set common goals, leverage new opportunities, and navigate challenges. As states across the country continue to invest in prevention, Child Trends recommends state leaders: ?? Reduce silos across and between agencies and their partners. ?? Increase supports specifically designed to meet the needs of families with very young children. ?? Promote equity in policies and practice, and bring parents with lived expertise into decision-making roles. ?? Facilitate the use of the federal Family First Act in their overall prevention efforts.

Come hear about the amazing progress agencies are making in the adoption of kin-specific licensing and approval!

Who should receive social security benefits for youth in foster care? ?? Casey Family Programs, the Children's Bureau, and Lived Experience (LEx) Leaders shined a light on a social security benefits issue in a webinar hosted by American Public Human Services Association - APHSA. ?? LEx Leader Myla Garcia’s (age 28, PA) closing observation resonated throughout the audience: “People in child welfare forget children grow up.” ?? Read about the webinar: https://lnkd.in/gKpnQJ48

Dr. David Anderson’s book about the Safe Families for Children movement, Unleashing Radical Hospitality, has just hit the press, and I cannot recommend it enough. The forward BJ Walker wrote in it is spot on. ?Below is an excerpt: “…until and unless more of us are willing to include the adults who come with these children, we cannot keep children safe and well.” BJ recommends Dave’s book and Safe Families for two reasons: 1. “It asks us to challenge the damaging assumptions and narratives that are too often associated with adults who find themselves in the crosshairs of child welfare, a system that – on behalf of child protection – too often finds itself stepping over and around the sanctity of parental and family bonds, not because it is the right work but because, when you are asked to evaluate adults through a child maltreatment lens, you wind up seeing people through a lens darkly. 2. “It asks us to use words like ‘radical” when we speak about Hospitality, words like ‘disruptive’ when we speak about Generosity, and words like ‘intentional” when we speak about Compassion. It asks us to not just care about children and families but to do something, something that is radical, disruptive, and intentional. It asks us to put overalls on our faith and present ourselves as an offering to those our society often finds too easy to label as unworthy and unfit….” https://a.co/d/7xDLQki

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. TCA is teaming up with the Children's Bureau and its partner, Child Welfare Information Gateway, to raise awareness during National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This initiative is rooted in communities working together to serve children and their families in meaningful, impactful ways that provide families with the support they need, especially during challenging times. This year’s theme: "Doing Things Differently: Moving from the Challenge to the Change." urges us to intentionally explore, engage, and invest in innovative ideas to transform the way we partner with families to deliver services and supports. It is essential for us to create a child welfare system that can overcome challenges and provide equitable support to all families. Every step you take to help raise awareness can make a difference. According to the latest national data, an estimated 1,990 children died from abuse and neglect in the United States in federal fiscal year 2022. Approximately 3.1 million children across the country received either an investigation or an alternative response by child protective services, and 558,899 children were found to be victims of child maltreatment. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/ekXZimcU #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #ThrivingFamilies

How could an older foster child's life outcomes potentially improve if they had their own attorney representing what they want in court? Child Advocates had that conversation this week on the radio with Tina Cosby on the "Community Connection" show airing on 1310 AM "The Light." Our new CEO, Phyllis Armstrong, and the Director of our Direct Representation program, Rachel Vilensky, discussed the launch of our groundbreaking research on the impact of counsel (attorneys) for kids versus no counsel for kids. Child Advocates is the only organization that offers free, in-house attorneys for older children in the child welfare system. That is why Notre Dame's LEO (Lab for Economic Opportunities) project chose Child Advocates to conduct the nation's first-ever randomized controlled trial on the impact of attorneys for children. We launched the research at the end of last year. Hear how it is going, how long it will last, and what it could mean to vulnerable children's future. Our conversation starts 1 hour and four minutes (1:04:00) into the show: https://ow.ly/Hf8650QSnte #childwelfare #attorneys #counselforkids #fosterchildren #childadvocacy #justice #equity #childresearch