Alia

Our Guiding Principles of an UnSystem are some of the ways we commit to supporting and empowering families back to a place of resilience and wellbeing. Those who are committed to new ways of supporting children and families are encourage to uphold these Guiding Principles in their work. The first principle, protecting relational connections as sacred, highlights the idea that trusting relationships and secure attachments to specific people (biological family members and self-identified "family") are the foundation of lifelong wellbeing. Connections to communities (geographic, faith, cultural, and other) and attachments to traditions should also be treated as necessary for survival. How are you protecting relational connections as sacred for the children and families you work with?

When removal is necessary, kinship care is the better choice. Our Kinship Care Cost and Benefit Analysis, prepared by Ecotone Analytics, estimates the total costs and benefits associated with three child welfare scenarios: family preservation, kinship care, and non-kinship care. While avoiding family separation has the smallest cost to society and leads to better outcomes for children, those in kinship care fair far better than those in non-kinship placements. This #kinshipcaremonth, explore our analysis to learn more about the costs and benefits associated with removal and preservation.

When a community-driven approach is aligned with preserving family bonds, families can access help when needed and children maintain the connections necessary for lifelong healthy development. Over the last few days we’ve shared Alia’s 5 foundational principles. These principles guide us as we partner with child welfare systems in communities nationwide to help address each community’s unique challenges by partnering with child welfare leadership and preparing teams to meaningfully engage with communities in co-design. Centered in anti-racism, together we reimagine new ways of work and build a community’s distinctly innovative “UnSystem.” Our first foundational principle at Alia is that children need to be raised in permanent families, preferably their own whenever safely possible. This belief guides our work in strengthening families and preventing unnecessary separations. Our second foundational principle at Alia is that children must be provided an opportunity to heal the grief, loss, and trauma that results from their separation. By addressing trauma and loss, we can help rebuild connections and create a brighter future. Our third foundational principle at Alia is that the well-being of children is directly related to the wellbeing and stability of their parents. By focusing on parent well-being, we can strengthen families and prevent future crises. Our fourth foundational principle at Alia is that child welfare leaders play a key role in establishing and ensuring a safe, stable, and healthy organizational culture. By fostering a culture of compassion, collaboration, and equity, leaders can create a positive environment for both children and staff. Our fifth foundational principle at Alia is that individual and organizational resilience can be learned and cultivated. By equipping individuals and organizations with the tools they need, we can navigate challenges and create a more sustainable child welfare system. Would you like to learn more about a partnership with Alia? Let’s talk!

How can we build resilience within families and organizations? Our fifth foundational principle at Alia is that individual and organizational resilience can be learned and cultivated. By equipping individuals and organizations with the tools they need, we can navigate challenges and create a more sustainable child welfare system. UnSystems prioritize resilience as a key factor in navigating challenges and creating a more sustainable child welfare system. Let's build UnSystems together to invest in growth and well-being. #childwelfare #unsystems #resilience #mentalhealth

What role does leadership play in creating a positive and supportive environment for children and families? Our fourth foundational principle at Alia is that child welfare leaders play a key role in establishing and ensuring a safe, stable, and healthy organizational culture. By fostering a culture of compassion, collaboration, and equity, leaders can create a positive environment for both children and staff. UnSystems require leaders who foster compassion, collaboration, and equity. Let's build UnSystems together by empowering leaders to make a difference! #childwelfare #unsystems #leadership #organizationalculture

How can we support parents and caregivers to create a stable and healthy environment for children? Our third foundational principle at Alia is that the well-being of children is directly related to the wellbeing and stability of their parents. By focusing on parent well-being, we can strengthen families and prevent future crises. UnSystems focus on parent well-being, recognizing that their mental health and support are essential for family success. Let's build UnSystems together to prioritize parent well-being and prevent future crises. #childwelfare #unsystems #parentsupport #mentalhealth

When separation occurs, how can we best support children and families in healing and rebuilding? Our second foundational principle at Alia is that children must be provided an opportunity to heal the grief, loss, and trauma that results from their separation. By addressing trauma and loss, we can help rebuild connections and create a brighter future. UnSystems prioritize healing and support, addressing trauma and loss to create a brighter future. Let's build UnSystems together to minimize the long-term consequences of separation. #childwelfare #unsystems #healing #familyreunification

What if every child could grow up in a stable, loving home? Our first foundational principle at Alia is that children need to be raised in permanent families, preferably their own whenever safely possible. This belief guides our work in strengthening families and preventing unnecessary separations. We advocate for UnSystems because they prioritize family preservation, working to strengthen families and prevent unnecessary separations. Building UnSystems together ensures all children have the opportunity to thrive within their own families! #childwelfare #unsystems #familypreservation

True organizational well-being involves acknowledging the layers of trauma and moral injury present in a workforce. It’s not enough for self-care to be a mere buzzword; it must be actively practiced and supported. Key components of organizational well-being include: Creating Support Systems: Foster environments where employees feel supported and connected. Addressing Systemic Issues: Tackle the root causes of trauma and inequality within the workplace. Aligning Policies with Evidence-Based Approaches: Ensure that workplace practices are informed by the latest research and best practices in care. These are insights from Dr. Amelia Franck Meyer, the founder and CEO of Alia, who joins host Shenandoah Chefalo on the third episode of Mindful Management: Creating a Trauma-Informed Work Environment! Join Amelia and Shenandoah as they discuss: - The transformation of the child welfare system - The importance of organizational well-being - The "10 of 10 for Kids" initiative - Belonging and connection within organizations - Challenges leaders face - The ongoing work needed for positive change 🎧 Listen now and follow us on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts! https://loom.ly/o_6u-cw 👉Spotify https://loom.ly/TT8328w 👉Apple Podcasts https://loom.ly/dniRQaU If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Instructions on how to do this are here: https://loom.ly/HWYHCv0

“There are higher rates of child welfare cases, skyrocketing problems around addiction and houselessness. It was heartbreaking to see my community struggling with so many things. I asked myself, ‘What has to change and what has to be different here?’ We have to do healing work in healthcare differently. We’re not moving the needle fast enough.” Dr. Antony Stately, a 2024 Bush Foundation Fellow, is a transformative leader working to integrate Western methodologies with Indigenous practices to promote generational healing within Native Communities. We are honored to partner with Dr. Stately and his team at the Native American Community Clinic (NACC) in Minneapolis! Read this recent article to learn more about Dr. Stately's vision to Indigenize NACC’s approach to healthcare.