In the child welfare world, it is not enough for caregivers and service providers to simply love and care for the safety and well being of a child without seeing the color of the child, understanding and validating the impact of race on the child and family's experience and being intentional about racial socialization in order to create a positive racial identity and mitigate barriers to permanency.
Through the use of lecture, discussion and reflection opportunities, participants will evaluate the necessity in acknowledging the role that race plays in the experience of systemic oppression, marginalization, internalized oppression and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness in relation to a child or family's involvement in the child welfare system. Strategies to increase safety, break down barriers and practice humility will be presented as well as how professionals can work with youth and family's as partners and use racial socialization as protective factors.
Presenter: Crystal Bennett, LMSW
Crystal Rozelle – Bennett, LMSW has been working with youth and families for nearly 20 years. She is committed to empowering, engaging, educating and advocating in order to implement trauma-informed strategies for individuals and communities. More . . .