Link to Webinar Recording: Watch Here
Link to Handout: PowerPoint
This webinar will focus on the primary directive of Kings County Child Welfare Services, which underscores their belief that even after the services have been terminated, "it's not too late" to reunify children with their families. The discussion will include Kings County staff highlighting real case scenarios and sharing engagement strategies used to support children, youth and families to have a second chance at family reunification and to prepare for their journey back home.
Presenters:
Kendra Nolen is a Kings County Child Welfare Services supervisor assigned to the Permanency Planning unit and has worked with the County Child Welfare Services since 2001. Her areas of focus include Family Reunification, Emergency Response, Foster Care Licensing and Court Case Manager in addition to other roles focused on teaming and collaborating to keep children safe while providing families with opportunities for the best possible long-term outcomes.
Vanessa Stewart is a social services practitioner with Kings County Child Welfare Services assigned to the Permanency Planning unit. She has worked for Kings County CWS for 5 years, in areas of Family Reunification/Family Maintenance and Permanency Planning. Before Child Welfare Services, Stewart was employed as a correctional officer where she was first introduced to child welfare during groups with incarcerated parents who had children in the child welfare system. She discovered her passion of improving children and families' lives while working with incarcerated parents.
Sequoia Battiest, M.S.W., is a supervisor with Kings County Child Welfare Services assigned to the Adoptions unit. Battiest has worked for Kings County Child Welfare Services since 2016, and she spent two and a half years as a Family Reunification social worker and was promoted to supervising the Permanency Planning unit for two years before shifting into the Adoption unit. No matter the unit, she has learned to never lose sight of the significance and goal of permanency! Battiest has continued to serve children and families with the goal to "always leave better than she found them."