Child Welfare League of America

We’re pleased to announce the publication of a two-part special issue of our Child Welfare journal, "Human Trafficking and Child Welfare." M. Elizabeth Bowman (Gallaudet University) and Daniela Peterka-Benton (Montclair State University) served as guest co-editors. To purchase and download: https://lnkd.in/eyJsNCJJ This special double issue examines the intersections of human trafficking and #childwelfare in the United States—particularly children, youth, and families who come into contact with anti-trafficking efforts and child welfare and associated systems. Authors explore special populations such as youth of color, youth who have disabilities, youth who are BIPOC or LGBTQ+, and male youth; familial trafficking; #homelessness and #housingInsecurity; identifying and assisting trafficking survivors; the impact of COVID-19 on the trafficking of young people; anti-trafficking measures and policy-making; and more. #humantraffickingawareness #humantraffickingprevention

Congratulations to our director of public policy, Kati Mapa!

It's the last day of Early Bird conference ticket sales! https://lnkd.in/eH3sPgai CWLA's 2025 conference, "Inspiring Change, Igniting Action," will be a fantastic learning opportunity for all child-serving professionals. Attendees can expect comprehensive workshops on issues of leadership, equity, transition-aged youth, workforce, caregiver engagement, and much, much more! Join us April 9-11, 2025, in Washington, DC, for three days of innovative workshops, keynotes, and networking with over 700 professionals. Grab your Early Bird ticket today!

Early Bird Conference Tickets on Sale! CWLA is excited to announce that tickets for our 2025 conference, Inspiring Change, Igniting Action, are now on sale! https://lnkd.in/eH3sPgai Join us April 9-11, 2025, in Washington, DC, for three days of innovative workshops, keynotes, and networking with over 700 child-serving professionals. Early bird pricing is available until November 1, offering significant savings on both General and Premium registrations. Secure your spot today!

As this school year ramps up, subscribe — or renew your subscription — to CWLA’s signature academic publication, Child Welfare journal! Our general and special-themed issues provide a fresh approach to problem solving and proven, practical ideas that work. You get comprehensive coverage of the latest research, practice issues, program developments, and more—all vital for informed, thoughtful decision-making. Child Welfare sheds light on topics such as child abuse and neglect, #immigration, #racialequity, out-of-home care and family reunification, #kinshipcare , poverty, #adoptiveparenting, research evidence, substance use, the #childwelfare workforce, and much more. To subscribe as an individual or institution: https://lnkd.in/eafT7bAK

CWLA, in partnership with people with lived experience with the child welfare system and with the kind support of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, are pleased to announce a call for abstracts for a special issue of Child Welfare journal on the inclusion of people with lived experience in #childwelfare research, program design, and evaluation. Prospective authors should submit abstracts of up to 750 words to Rachel Adams, Child Welfare managing editor, at radams@cwla.org by September 20, 2024. To learn more: https://lnkd.in/eXiAPnGq Abstracts should clearly identify the topic, methods (including data sources for empirical papers), expected or preliminary findings, and practice and policy implications. Publication of the special issue is scheduled for spring/summer 2025. This special issue will honor the diversity, equity, and inclusion principles of the National Research Agenda for a 21st Century Child and Family Well-Being System (Research Agenda) developed with support from Casey Family Programs, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the William T. Grant Foundation. A key feature of the Research Agenda initiative was its modeling of a meaningful co-development process between researchers, funders, and people with lived experience. This special issue also will be reflective of CWLA’s commitment to meaningfully involving people who have been impacted by the child welfare system in research and reform efforts.

On the Senate's failure to consider the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act (H.R. 7024), CWLA President and CEO Linda Spears made the following statement: “On August 1, the Senate voted against America’s children and families. Instead of expanding the Child Tax Credit, which would have raised 400,000 children out of poverty and benefitted as many as 16 million children this year, Senators voted 44-48 to halt the bipartisan Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act that passed the House in January. Reducing, and eventually eliminating, child poverty is a vital step in promoting child and family well-being and achieving important child welfare policy goals like preventing child abuse and neglect, stabilizing basic needs so children and families can thrive, and reducing the need for costly foster care. Too often, poverty and the lack of economic supports for families contribute to unstable housing, gaps in nutrition, lack of transportation and medical care, and other circumstances that can lead children and families to preventable child welfare involvement. Strategies that reduce child poverty, strengthen families, prevent family separation, and reduce children’s removal to foster care should be a top priority for our nation. The bill rejected by Senators last week included essential provisions targeted to reach children left out of the full child tax credit because their families’ incomes are too low, including families with multiple children and mothers who lose income during pregnancy and postpartum recovery; these are important steps toward reducing child and family poverty that would have led to positive outcomes for families with, or at risk of, child welfare involvement. CWLA reiterates our support of the policy proposals put forward by Chairman Ron Wyden and Chairman Jason Smith and thanks the Congressional Members who have championed tax code improvements for children and families. We urge Congress to reconsider the decision to punt this proposal into 2025 – children can’t wait for a more convenient time for lawmakers, they need our support now.” To read CWLA's recent policy brief on lifting children out of poverty: https://lnkd.in/ekFz4zP8 #ChildTaxCredit #childwelfare #childrenandyouth #childrenandfamilies

It's the last day to submit your conference proposal to #CWLA2025! Find out more and send us your proposal here: https://lnkd.in/eCh__EbF #childwelfare #childrenandfamilies #socialwork #socialworkers

We are thrilled to welcome Priscilla A. Day, MSW, EdD, as the next senior editor of Child Welfare journal, CWLA’s bimonthly, peer-reviewed academic journal. Dr. Day is a social work professor emerita at the University of Minnesota Duluth and the former director of the Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare Studies at the University of Minnesota. She is the author of various academic publications on child welfare, family preservation, and Tribally restorative practices, and is the co-editor of CWLA Press’s two-part book series on child neglect, "Child Neglect, Inequity, & Poverty." She serves as a national consultant for several organizations, including the Center for Native Child and Family Resilience, James Bell Associates, University of Minnesota Duluth–Tribal Families First, and the National Indian Child Welfare Association. Dr. Day trains on ICWA and other Tribal curricula, both in Minnesota and nationally. She is an Anishinabe Tribal member enrolled at the Leech Lake Reservation. We look forward to working with Dr. Day and are enthused by the wealth of experience that she will bring to Child Welfare. Dr. Day is the first woman, first person of color, and first Tribal member to hold the senior editor role. We also are deeply indebted to Gerald P. Mallon, LCSW, DSW (Silberman School of Social Work, Hunter College) who has served as Child Welfare’s senior editor since 2006. Dr. Mallon’s dedication to this journal—particularly in advancing research on LGBTQ+ youth and families—has been invaluable. We wish him all the very best in his future endeavors. Welcome, Priscilla!

CWLA is pleased to announce another round of our new three-part, virtual training series that features CWLA Press's "Working with Traumatized Children – A Handbook for Healing." Dates: Fridays, August 2, 9, & 16, 1-3pm EST + To learn more and register for the training:  https://lnkd.in/e9CqkBYw + To purchase a hard copy of "Working with Traumatized Children": https://lnkd.in/egQcmWzY Now in its third edition, Kathryn Brohl's "Working with Traumatized Children" has been updated to include new strategies and approaches for caregivers and others responsible for meeting the needs of children who are vulnerable. Registration fees will include a PDF copy of the "Working with Traumatized Children" Companion Workbook. Participants will gain a strengthened capacity to: + Define what trauma is and differentiate it from stress + Provide examples of trauma symptoms in children and adults + Describe how trauma can impact children’s brains + Advocate for the provision of safe environments when working with children and adults who have been affected by trauma + Provide examples of how systems can be traumatizing or retraumatize people + Explain the importance of understanding the vagus nerve when working with families and children who have been affected by trauma + Express why self-reflective practices and supervision are important when working with this population Trainer: Paulette Mader, MSN – Senior Training and Consultation Specialist, Rutgers University, "Nurtured Heart Approach" and "ACE and the Neurobiology of Trauma," "Wrap Around" and "CFT." Please join us! #childhoodtrauma #traumahealing #socialwork #childrenandfamilies #childrenandyouth #neurobiology #traumarecovery #traumainformed