Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing’s Post

The foster care system focuses primarily on physical safety, but that is simply not enough. Children need to feel claimed. They are wired for connection. They need to know that they truly belong. We must reimagine a system where every child feels safe, connected, and loved. Alia’s vision is to enable UnSystems that prioritize these fundamental needs. Let’s join forces to transform child welfare in a way in which it truly cares for our children’s holistic well-being. #FosterCare #SystemReform #ChildWellBeing

What will the Permanency Project do for foster children? Find children at the greatest risk of aging out of foster care a permanent home by requiring the state to convene a specialized team to: ✅ Identify youth likely to age out of the child welfare system ✅ Thoroughly review the child’s case file from a fresh perspective ✅ Remove barriers to permanency and determine the assistance needed ✅ Create a written, individualized permanency plan ✅ Explore options to place a child with individuals or families ✅ Provide a report on project outcomes #azleg Read Bill: https://bit.ly/3x5yzON #fosteryouth #childrensrights

In our society, discussions about parenting often revolve around the well-being and capabilities of biological parents versus foster parents. However, an aspect that frequently escapes scrutiny is the difference in the assessment process between these two groups. While biological parents often undergo extensive psychological evaluations, the same standard is not universally applied to foster parents. This discrepancy raises pertinent questions about equity and the safeguarding of children's welfare within the foster care system. I really appreciate how this conversation is being centered on a podcast called, "Torn: A Podcast About Racial Disparities in the Child Welfare System". Thank you to @Sonia Johnson and Classie Colinet for this very important conversation. 🔥 #EquitableParentingAssessments #ChildSafetyFirst #SupportingAllParents #CollaborativeCaregiving #DismantleDisparities #InclusiveChildWelfare #RacialJusticeInFosterCare #SystemicReform #ParentalEmpowerment #TornPodcastInsights

It's #National Foster Care Month. Too many American families find themselves struggling because of gaps in health, economic, and #HumanServices systems. And too often families are sent to the child welfare system for well-being needs and support that #ChildWelfare was not designed to provide. We need a multi-system approach designed to meet family needs from the start and prevent children from entering the foster care system when not necessary. Explore a new strategic framework for this child and family well-being system: https://lnkd.in/gxqsb7kq

On September 28, 2023, the U.S. Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued a final rule that explicitly gives all title IV-E child welfare agencies the option to use kin-specific foster care licensing standards and encourages them to limit those standards to federal safety requirements. The rule change will allow more children to be cared for by those they know and love and be financially supported like children with non-kin foster parents. The steps states need to take to implement the new final rule will vary depending on whether the state’s licensing standards are found in statute, regulation, or policy. In some states, the legislature may need to be involved, but other states may be able to implement new standards without legislative action. All states, territories, and tribes operating a title IV-E agency that want to implement the final rule must amend their title IV-E Plan according to specific instructions. For more information about steps that title IV-E agencies need to take, see the Network’s resources and watch the recording of our webinar, “Kin-Specific Foster Home Licensure: Overview of New Federal Rule & Release of Recommended Standards." https://lnkd.in/esWufnDW #KinshipCare #ChildWelfare #Grandfamilies

#Prevention is key to reducing #childwelfare involvement and foster care. In our new report released today, we delve into the role of business models in driving change, and how organizations and governments can respond to improve overall #childwellbeing. https://lnkd.in/ga-Ei-t3 Childhelp® The Imprint News Youth Today

Dannette R. Smith, MSW informs us how the child welfare system works and how it has changed in response to changing conditions and better data. We touch on the family-centered practice of child welfare, and how social workers look at issues of neglect vs. abuse. how social workers, juvenile justice workers, and juvenile court judges work together to determine what is best for the child, and how best to strengthen families in danger of having children removed from the home. We also touch on behavioral health, tough love, and the social determinants of health. https://lnkd.in/gSAuhd6a

How the opioid epidemic impacted the need for foster parents. Adding to the uphill battles is the current opioid epidemic. According to the Child Welfare League of America, overdose death rates alone have created an almost 5% increase in foster needs, while hospitalizations still carry above 3%. Those numbers may seem small, but you figure that into more than 200,000 kids who enter foster care every year. #OpioidCrisis #EndOverdose #BandTogether #SaveALife #HarmReduction Learn more by clicking the link below to read the entire article. https://lnkd.in/g6EJVJ7s

The #ChildFirstModel is about putting the foster youth's needs first! IFoster's Voice of the Foster Care Community Report talks about how the child welfare system should provide support, from prevention to youth exiting care. Watch the full video & learn more here: https://bit.ly/4dwWs1w #iAmiFoster #VOC3 #YouthFirst

💡 Adopting a child is an immensely rewarding journey for parents, though it can present many challenges along the way. One of the initial hurdles families face is navigating the various Types of Adoption available in the United States and selecting the one that best suits their needs. These Adoption Types include the following: 🔹 Adult Adoptions 🔹 Private Adoptions 🔹 International Adoptions 🔹 Relative or Kinship Adoptions 🔹 Adoptions from the Child Welfare System If you feel you're ready to begin your Adoption journey, or you simply have questions regarding Adoption, please reach out to us today. Our team is here to help! 💛 #LoftusVergariAndAssociates #LVA #Adoption #Statistics #AdultAdoptions #Family #NEPA