Anti-Racist Resource for Child Welfare Workers and Agencies

Being Anti-Racist is Central to Trauma-Informed Care: Anti-Racist Principles and Strategies

Image credit: Girl takes photo in front of the “We Can Do It” sign at Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park (NPS)

At their best, Child Welfare professionals act through an anti-racist lens when working with families and advocating for families' needs. Being a leader for anti-racism at your agency can take time and hard work. This resource - Being Anti-Racist is Central to Trauma Informed Care - from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides four clusters of Principles and Strategies to inform, advocate, and provide evidence for Anti-Racist Trauma-Informed Care. As part of Black History Month, we encourage you and your colleagues to check out this resource and discuss ways to actively address racism in child welfare.

Cluster one focuses on listening to and amplifying voices of people with lived experiences. Each individual has many intersectionalities and represents different dimensions of diversity. Child welfare professionals can use strategies mentioned like “Provide staff with the knowledge and skills to ensure they are able to listen, hear, and honor the experiences and stories of those with lived experience”.

Cluster two focuses on Organizational Values, Governance, and Strategic Oversight. This broader approach zooms out to look at how the culture of the child welfare agency impacts anti-racist principles and strategies.

Cluster three focuses on Structural Reforms, Partnerships, and Systems Change to help make long lasting feasible change in the Minnesota Child Welfare system.

Cluster four focuses on Human Resources, Staff Support, and Leadership Development to share strategies to specifically support black staff in the workplace. Diversify staff to increase representation and affinity to families in child welfare.

Take action this Black History Month to improve Anti-Racist Principles and Strategies at your child welfare agency to support staff and families. If you have questions for feedback, let us know at info@mnchildwelfaretraining.com.