International Conference on Innovations in Family Engagement

Collaboration between Families and the Child Welfare System: What Are the Settlers’ Responsibilities?

date: 11/19/2019

speakers: Marilee Sherry, Nancy Freymond, & Cheryl Elbers

abstract:

Embedded in the bureaucracy of contemporary North American child welfare systems are deep-rooted colonizing practices and processes that began more than 1000 years ago when European settlers began arriving on Turtle Island (North America). The outcome has been the dehumanization of the North American indigenous peoples and others who are non-European, particularly those who are black. A child welfare system working collaboratively with children, youth, and their family/community systems includes addressing the power imbalances, transparency, creating space for participation and voice, inclusion, and cultural safety. These values are in direct contrast to colonization processes. What are the responsibilities of the settlers on Turtle Island to dismantle the oppressive colonization codes entrenched in the child welfare system that prevent genuine collaboration? How do barriers that are encountered in working collaboratively with those receiving services link to these codes? Together we will consider our collective settler responsibilities in decolonizing the child welfare system.