In this episode Sonia and Classie continue their conversation with Shereen White, Director of Advocacy at Children's Rights and Kelis Houston, Executive Director of Village Arms who are pushing for change in the child welfare system. Kalis shares a behind-the-scenes look at the years of advocacy, legislative challenges, and community resilience that culminated in the ⁠Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act. ⁠This landmark legislation aims to protect Black families from systemic bias in child welfare, setting a higher standard of "active efforts" over "reasonable efforts" for caseworkers.

Join us as we unpack the hard-won victories, the sacrifices made, and the ongoing fight to dismantle systemic racism within child welfare.

In the Season 3 premiere, hosts Sonia Johnson and Classie Colinet sit down with Shireen White, Director of Advocacy at Children’s Rights, and Khalees Houston, Executive Director of Village Arms. They discuss their work addressing systemic racism and the overrepresentation of African American families in Minnesota's child welfare system. Khalees shares how her advocacy led to the creation and passage of the Minnesota African American Family Preservation Act, a law aimed at stopping biased removal practices and keeping families together. Shireen adds insights from her work on systemic reform and community collaboration across the country. This episode explores the challenges within child welfare and the role of legislative action in driving change.

References:

Complaint Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d, and 45 C.F.R. Part 80 Regarding Discrimination by the State of Minnesota

Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act

In our first episode of season three, Sonia Johnson, ESQ and Classie Colinet, ESQ talk with Shereen A. White, Director of Advocacy & Policy at Children’s Rights, and Kelis Houston, Founder of Village Arms. They discuss the deep impact of institutional racism in the child welfare system, focusing on how it disproportionately affects Black families in Minnesota.

Shereen and Kelis share their experiences advocating for families and pushing for change. They explore key issues like the Minnesota African American Family Preservation Act, efforts to reduce family separations, and how the system can be reformed to better serve children and families.

This episode provides practical insights for anyone working in or alongside child welfare. Listen in to learn more about the challenges and opportunities for change in this important field.

In our season two finale of Torn, Sonia and Classie reflect on the journey so far, drawing inspiration from Ida B. Wells and discussing the importance of continuing the fight for a fair child welfare system. They share their thoughts on self-care, hope, the nature of reform, and the impact of collective action.

Your involvement is crucial as we move forward, sharing strategies, insights, and stories that drive change. Thank you for being with us on this journey, for your contributions, and for your commitment to making a difference. Stay tuned for more discussions, more guests, and more actions we can take together in the next season.

In this promo for the season finale of Torn, Sonia and Classie discuss the importance of self-care.

Listen to the full episode on Wednesday, April 17th as they reflect on the journey so far, drawing inspiration from Ida B. Wells and discussing the importance of continuing the fight for a fair child welfare system. They share their thoughts on self-care, hope, the nature of reform, and the impact of collective action.

Your involvement is crucial as we move forward, sharing strategies, insights, and stories that drive change. Thank you for being with us on this journey, for your contributions, and for your commitment to making a difference. Stay tuned for more discussions, more guests, and more actions we can take together in the next season.

In this episode of TORN, hosts Sonia and Classie discuss Rule Out and Best Interest Letters within the child welfare system. Their discussion aims to shed light on the impact these letters have on child welfare cases.

The goal of this episode is to help demystify these important documents for caregivers, advocates, and child welfare professionals, providing them with the knowledge to better navigate and advocate within the system.

Whether you're directly involved in child welfare or looking to understand more about the process, this episode offers valuable insights into making informed decisions in the best interest of children. Tune in for an essential guide to Rule Out and Best Interest Letters in child welfare.

In this promo of episode 9, Sonia and Classie discuss how old substantiations can impact Rule Out Letter decisions. The full episode releases on Wednesday, April 3rd where Sonia and Classie will continue their discussion on Rule Out and Best Interests letters.

In this week's episode, Sonia and Classie are joined by Dr. Denise Johnson Ph.D. to discuss an issue that lies at the intersection of child welfare and social justice: the profound trauma faced by parents following the removal of their children from their custody. This episode takes you on a thought-provoking journey, exploring the deeply personal and often invisible pain of these parents.

We delve into the societal and systemic changes necessary to foster a more compassionate and supportive environment for parents grappling with this unique form of loss.

This episode invites listeners to envision and advocate for a world where the emotional well-being of all parents, regardless of their circumstances, is recognized, valued, and nurtured.