Committing to a Kin-First Culture
"There is no more culturally relevant resource than family.”
Kin-first culture refers to an organizations’ unwavering commitment to nurturing and supporting relationships between parents, children, youth and their family members (including relatives, non-relative extended family, community and Tribes). It prioritizes the preservation and permanency of these important connections, such so that children remain rooted in their family’s care and love. Kin-first culture gives parents, families and communities the opportunity to heal from trauma together. Moreover, a kin-first culture values cultural permanency, understanding that children and youth must feel a sense of belonging, love and attachment. This starts when organizations and their dedicated professionals such as social workers, case managers and probation officers recognize and honor parents and families as the true experts of their own family, empowering them to play an active role in decision-making processes.
Kin-first culture exists when every agency or service provider that engages with parents and families and children commits to policies, practices, training programs and accountability structures designed to ensure that children remain connected to their families, communities and tribes at every stage of involvement with the child welfare system. In a Kin-first culture, every effort is made to keep children safely at home and, if a child must be removed, to partner with the parent and family to determine where and with whom is the safest place within that family, community or tribe for the child to live.
Introducing the CFE Advisory Committee
The Center for Excellence in Family Finding, Engagement, and Support (CFE) is a collaboration between the California Department of Social Services and UC Davis and is at the forefront of promoting kinship care and fostering a Kin-First culture throughout California's child welfare jurisdictions, partner agencies and providers. The Center is honored to work with a statewide advisory committee who is actively engaged with the Center for Excellence’s administration on implementation activities, primarily providing key recommendation on products/materials and serving as ambassadors and advocates for a family-centered, kin-first culture and system-transformation.
The advisory committee is comprised of individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to a kin-first culture in their personal and professional lives. They have lived expertise and professional expertise within child welfare and juvenile justice. Committee members are representative of California's diverse geographical landscape, encompassing large, medium and small counties. It also includes members from vital partner groups, such as child welfare, juvenile justice, Tribes, legal professionals, advocacy groups, kinship families, birth parents, foster youth, service providers and a wide array of other stakeholders.
The Center for Excellence in Family Finding, Engagement and Support wishes to thank these guiding forces, decision-makers and visionaries who help us reach our mission:
- Alice J. Langton-Sloan, HHSA Director, Cahto Tribe of the Laytonville Rancheria
- Arturo A Vargas, LCSW, Ventura County Human Services Agency, Child and Family Services Department
- Brenda Dabney, J.D., Children's Law Center of California
Parker Terese, California Youth Connection, Congressional Intern
- Cindy Friesen, Madera County Department of Social Services
- Daniel Buchanan, Children’s Legacy Center
- Dorothy L Wait, Tolowa/Chetco/Tutut’ni
- Elizabeth Stephens LCSW, Alliance Human Services
- Emily Bahne, PPCNP-BC, MPH, Community Member
- Hannah Clyde, Kinship Allies, Child Advocates of Placer County
- Honorable Roger C. Chan, J.D., San Francisco Superior Court
- Janelle Gonzales, MSW, Community Member
- Jennifer Kleinbach Deuschel, Placement/RFA Coordinator, Placer County
- Jenny Leon, MSW, Chief Program Officer, CASA of Orange County
- Jevon Wilkes, California Coalition for Youth
- Kendra Hamilton, LA County Probation Child Welfare
- Kristin Power, Vice President, Policy & Advocacy, Alliance for Children's Rights
- Kym Renner, Deputy Director, LA County DCFS
- Lisa Campbell-Motton, Director, LA County Probation Child Welfare
- Mariah Williams, J.D., San Diego County Child Welfare Services
- Pattee Russell-Curry, MFT, BC-DMT, LPCC, Private Practice, Kinship Family
- Thomisha Wallace, Stanford Sierra Youth & Families
- Honorable Tilisha T. Martin, J.D., San Diego Superior Court, Juvenile Division
- Vonya Quarles Esq. Starting Over, Inc. Director
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