Welcome All! We will get started shortly

Is there an objective measure used in any/other jurisdictions that get us to the answer of the question "when is it safe to determine children can return home?" It there a strategy to involve community and judicial support to make this possible?

Concomitantly, what is being strategized to move children out the system? Illinois has one of the longest lengths of stay.

Tierney - Does the data on the neglect only entries take into account siblings entering care with abuse allegations? I.e., are all the siblings neglect only, or does the data look at each child individually? Thank you.

Wooo! That's cold blooded....

Amen!

Yes!

A powerful personal experience! Thank you for sharing.

Now, that's too much... to swallow, and terrible removal....

Thank you for sharing

We did not get the link.

We will get the link shortly.

Here is the link:https://www.chapinhall.org/project/a-key-connection-economic-stability-and-family-well-being/

Thank you!

https://www.chapinhall.org/project/a-key-connection-economic-stability-and-family-well-being/

What the heck!!

WOW!

yes!

These means are real prevention strategies. Family wellness is connected to community wellness and resource

Yes - the wealth gap is very real - Median income for white families is about $180k and about $25k for Black families. The median net worth of a young Black family is about $600.

Wow!

YES!!!!

For more on KY Flex Funds, see this slide deck - the funding came from a legislative appropriation: https://www.chapinhall.org/wp-content/uploads/CWLA_Presentation_ECS_KY-FINAL.pdf

How do the flex funding models like Kentucky's differ from Norman funding in IL?

Thank you for this resource.

See more here about reports during Covid: https://www.chapinhall.org/research/covid-19-and-child-welfare/

The community stepped and took care of their community - true wraparound - community can in culturally competent ways

Yes! Thank you for voicing this, Ms. Ammons!

Yessssss

Yes! Thank you!

👏🏼

Absolutely! Thank you!!!!

👏🏽

representation matters! Thank you Vernessa for your passion.

Well said! Thank you all!

Thank you for this really important and robust discussion.

Thank you truly for engaging in this important conversation - your passion and personal knowledge are impressive and appreciated. We need your support and advocacy to make true systematic change.

Excellent forum and speakers.

What about the biases at play by workers who create those reports?

this was very informative and thought provoking! lot's of hard work needed to be done to improve and change our systems and how they impact the families and children we work with.

so true @Jamie S ….

Great information, Thank you everyone

again... how can we better address implicit bias and/or the issue of the over-reporting of Black and brown families/the racial disproportionality that exists in child welfare today? (aside from anti-bias training requirements for workers) A lot of parents who are navigating the system do not need more services/parenting classes; they are great parents (per Rep Ammons personal example!).

YES!!!

That's exactly correct. The professionals involved are very involved in the decision. No one should deflect the ownness to get our kids home! we all own it!

Yes! So much bias is in plain sight in families' service plans.

So true

No, let her speak!

judges do what the WORKER SAYS and the parents HAVE NO VOICE

Folks want to hear from Vernessa, so if people want to stick around you can

That's right, Vanessa.

Vernessa**

Vernessa, we will have you speak!

Wow! This was incredible- thank you all for your participation!

yes, it needs to be family focused.

Thank you so much! This was great!

Severin, Thanks for being here. At some point, we have to be truthful about this system and redesign it.

Great job, everyone!! ☺️

Thank you everyone!

Thank you ICOY for coordinating this!

Thank you for joining us today!

Thanks so much for this discussion!

I really want to thank all of the legislators who attended today!

Thank you to all the contributors today, especially those willing to share personal experiences <3Appreciate you all!

We must do better..

Thank you for sharing these illustrative and important case experiences that guide us forward. Great points!

WOW!!!

I was a therapist with an agency and I always shared my reports because everyone else refused to shared them and my parents would go into court not knowing anything about their own case

Thank you!