Alternatives to Traditional CPS Investigations

Child welfare systems are exploring reforms to advance the dual mission of keeping children safe and strengthening families. However, reforming these complex systems raises challenging questions for policymakers and communities: 

• What role can and should child protective services (CPS) agencies play in preventing child maltreatment? 
• Can an agency with the authority to remove children from parents’ custody also authentically engage parents? 
• Can agencies help parents access needed supports without being or being perceived as coercive? 
• How and when should public child welfare agencies collaborate with trusted community-based organizations in serving children and families?

This webinar will address these key questions through a facilitated discussion with birth parent advocates and leaders, a child welfare director implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act, a foundation official testing a new approach to serving families screened-out by CPS, an expert on alternative/differential response, and a researcher that has studied community pathways and the outcomes of families diverted from child welfare.

REGISTER HERE

Introduction by Rob Geen | BPC

Panel discussion with:

• Edward Castillo | Birth Parent
• Queva Hubbard | Birth Parent
• LaChrisha Rose | Birth Parent
• Dee Bonnick | BPC (moderator)

Panel discussion with:

• Carla Carpenter | Capacity Building Center for States
• Jooyeun Chang | Doris Duke Foundation
• Jodi Hill Lilly | Connecticut Department of Children and Families
• James Simon | California State University, Los Angeles
• Tiffany Allen | BPC (moderator)