Data has consistently revealed to us that our system, although well-intentioned, has created harm to many of the families we sought to help. This module will discuss the origin of child welfare, and how history and policy has shaped our current operations. This  module creates an awareness of the infrastructure of our system, and it will illuminate the implications continuing with business as usual. Additionally, this training module will focus on a discussion of the evolutionary change that we have all experienced within our system, yet the absence of revolutionary change. The facilitator will discuss policy evolution and how each change has impacted our child welfare workforce and outcomes for families. 

 

Objectives:
Recognize how history has shaped our current child welfare policies, practices and procedures.
Discover research-informed explanatory factors for disparity and disproportionality. 
Define evolutionary change and revolutionary change.

 

This module will focus on how child welfare professionals can collaborate with families to enhance their capacity to protect their own children. Family engagement is a key strategy for identifying and cultivating resilience. This training will focus on the power and privilege that our system holds and how we
can meaningfully share that power with families thereby illuminating their protective factors. Building relationships with
families who come into our system takes a level of self and cultural humility, understanding, and trust.
The instructor will provide considerations for professionals as they engage in their work with vulnerable families 

and their extended family members. 

Objectives:
Identify strategies that enhance family engagement.
Demonstrate the ability to share power with vulnerable families.
Define different levels of power deconstruction within child welfare.

 

 

 

 

 

This module will begin with the premise that all professionals in the child welfare system should be guided by a singular focus: Strengthening Families. There will be a discussion of philosophical positions on the view of parenting and how the mindsets of our child welfare workforce impact decision making. All participants will be challenged to consider their own mindset and learn practical ways to create accountability within our organizations. Courageous leadership will be introduced as an initiator of revolutionary change in organizational mindset.

Objectives:
Identify ineffective mindsets and how they impact equitable outcomes in child welfare.
Demonstrate awareness of how organizational mindsets impact families.
List attributes of courageous leadership within a child welfare context.

This module will explore strategies that are driving change around the country as champions work
tirelessly to build an anti-racist system that strengthens our most vulnerable families. Dr. Pryce has spent time interviewing leaders from around the country who have had meaningful change within their organizations. She has used those interviews to begin to build out a framework for an anti-racist child welfare system. There will be a practical discussion of how these leaders are becoming catalysts for change in their communities. 

Objectives:
Identify at least two strategies being utilized to promote equity in our country.
List practices which cultivate leadership fortitude.
Demonstrate understanding of systemic change and the inclusion of family voice.