Invited Presenter Symposium is a session in which the presenter(s) were invited; all attendees are welcome to attend.

Panel:  Corey Best, Independent Consultant, Mining for Gold; Jamie Averett, J.D., Quality Parenting Initiative; Anna Yelick, Ph.D., Florida Institute for Child Welfare, Florida State University

Moderator: Morgan Cooley, Ph.D., LCSW, Florida Atlantic University
Chair: Anthony J. Ferraro, Ph.D., Kansas State University

This Session is Organized by and Made Possible by the Family Policy Section.

Summary
Families of color are disproportionately represented in the child welfare system, and systemic racism has been pervasive and harmful to Black families in particular. Anti-racist and anti-oppressive approaches are needed to work with families from a strengths-based lens. The purpose of this presentation is to provide a historical and contemporary context to systemic racism in the United States child welfare system and describe implications and strategies for more authentic and racially just engagement of families. This invited symposium includes voices of those with firsthand experience, knowledge, and involvement with the child welfare system to address means for enhancing racial justice in practice, research, and policymaking. Panelists will describe ongoing efforts and successes in engaging families involved in the child welfare system, lessons learned, and recommendations for the future.

Objectives

• Describe a brief overview of the child welfare system and the history of systemic racism present in practice with children and families.
• Describe implications for working with underrepresented families and Black families involved in child welfare services.
• Discuss multiple strategies for authentically and justly engaging families in child welfare services from an antiracist lens.