>> SOME OF OUR COUNTRY'S OLDEST SYSTEMS HAVE SOOT ROOTS IN RACISM.

EXPERTS SAY THEY CARRY OVER AND WHILE SOME DISPLACE MAY NOT SEEM AS OVERT THEY LEAD TO RACE DISPARITIES THAT CAN CARRY OVER LIFETIMES ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> SUPPORT FOR MUTUALLY INCLUSIVE COME FROM THE WK KELLOGG FOUNDATION.

A PARTNER WITH COME MACHINES WHERE CHILDREN COME FIRST.

IF YOU WANT TOP LARN THE CONVERSATION FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PUBLIC MEDIA AND USE THE HASHTAG MUTUALLY INCLUSIVE, PAST END EPISODE AND THE NEWS FEED CAN BE FOUND AT WGVU!

ORG/MUTUALLY INCLUSIVE ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ WELCOME TO MUTUALLY INCLUSIONIVE.

TODAY WE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT RATION DISPARITIES THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT SAY THEY ARE CREATING PUB BLIB HEALTH THREAT HERE IS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

IN LINE WITH THE HISTORICAL PRACTICE.

WE NOW AGREE THOSE PRACTICES ARE UNACCEPTABLE AND THOSE PRACTICES DEMAND FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN HOW WE ENGAGE YOUTH AND FAMILIES.

>> FOR SOME AMERICANS THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SYSTEM IS SEEN AS HEM WORK OF SAFETY BUT FOR MANY OTHERS IT IS A PRACTICE ROOTED IN RACISM AND USED FOR YEARS TO TEAR FAMILIES OF COLOR APART.

>> THE NEED FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGE IN OUR CHILD PROTECTIVE SYSTEM DATES ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE 1 50'S.

WE NOW HAVE RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION THAT THE WAY OUR SYSTEM WAS ESTABLISHED STARTED WITH REMOVING COLOR FROM THEIR HOMES AND TRANSITIONING THEM TO SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES AND PLACING THEM WITH WHITE FAMILIES.

THE MICHIGAN PUB BLIG HEALTH INSTITUTE SAYS THE HISTORY OF RACISM WITHIN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM AS WELL AS BARRIERS LIKE WAGES AND HOUSING HAVE CONTRIBUTED NUMBERS OF CHURN OF COLOR IN STATE CARE WHILE 31% OF CHILDREN IN MY PLY CHILDREN OF COLOR THEY MAKE UP 51% OF THE FOSTER CARE POPULATION BREAK IT DOWN FURTHER WHILE 16% OF CHILDREN IN MY PLY BLACK.

BLACK CHILDREN MAKE UP 29% OF THE FOSTER CARE CHILDREN IN THE STATE.

>> CHILDREN OF COLOR IN THE FOSTER CARE AT HIGHER RATE AND STAY IN CARE LONGER THAN WHITE PEERS ARE LIKELY TO BE PLACED IN INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS THAT I HAVE FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME THEN AGE OUT OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM WITHOUT BEING CONNECTED WITH THE FAMILY AND SO AS A RESULT OF THESE EXPERIENCES WE BELIEVE BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE AT GREATER RISK FOR NEGATIVE HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EFFECTS THAT CAN LAST THEIR ENTIRE LIFE.

>> THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE AND STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HAVE SPOCK BE OUT CALLING THESE DISFAIRS A PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT.

>> I THINK THAT WHAT THE DATA INDICATES IS THAT THOSE CHILDREN OFTENTIMES STRUGGLE WITH SELF-ESTEEM, WITH THEIR ABILITIES TO COMPETE ADEQUATELY TO SECURE SCHOLARSHIPS TO GRADUATE, TO BE ABLE TO BE EMPLOYED AND WORK, HAVING MORE THAN A LIVING WAGE AND THEY ARE OFTENTIMES EXPOSED TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISOTTERED BASED ON TRAUMATIC HISTORY AND INPEEKS EARNS AND ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEMS AND MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS.

REPORTER: THE TWO HAVE LAUNCHED THE CHILD WELFARE IMPROVEMENT TASK FORCE AIMED AT CHANGING THE CULTURE OF THE CHILDREN'S SERVICE AGENCY WITHIN THE STATE.

>> TO ADDRESS THE SYSTEMIC RACISM AND TO TRANSFORM OUR CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM INTO A FAMILY WELL-BEING SYSTEM THAT PRESENTS HARM TO CHILDREN BY SUPPORTING THEIR FAMILIANCE COMMUNITIES BEFORE MALTREATMENT ACTUALLY OH COARSE AND SO AS THE DATA MENTIONED I THINK WE'RE LASER FOCUS ON TRAUMA.

WE ARE LASER FOCUSED ON EQUITY AND LASER FOCUSED ON EXCEPTIONAL OUTCOME FORCE YOUTH AND FAMILY ANT DON'T WANT THEM TO SURVIVE.

WOE WANT THEM TO THRIVE.

THE TASK FORCE WILL EXAMINE AND ACCESS AGENCY PRAC PRACTICE AND SEEK DO IN THE AND SUPPORT IN A INCLUDES A CPS REDESIGN AIMED AT KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER.

>> YES.

THERE ARE STATEWIDE EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY RELATIVES AT THE ONSET OF MANY CASE INVOLVEMENT AND THERE ARE SPECIFIC EFFORTS AROUND GINO GRAMS, UTILIZATION, OF EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS, TRYING TO DEVELOP TRAGEDIES TO ENGAGE FAMILIES OF COLOR, THE RESEARCH INDICATES THAT CHILDREN DO BEST WHEN PLACED WITH FAMILIES SO REALLY LOOKING AT SYSTEMATICALLY WHAT ARE THE WAYS WE ENGAGE INDIVIDUALS BLACK AND BROWN INDIVIDUALS.

THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IS IN THE PROCESS OF ROLLING OUT THE FAMILY'S FIRST PRESERVATION SERVICE ACT AIMED AT DECREASING FOSTER CARE ENTRY IN THE SYSTEM AND INCREASING ACCESS TO CHOM TIN BASED SERVICES THING THEY SAY HAVE LONG BEEN AVAILABLE TO SOME THAT HAVE SHUT OUT BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

>> I THINK CONCERN THAT IS OFTENTIMES FAMILIES FEEL THAT THEY ARE OVER SURVEILLANCE, THAT THEY ARE ACCESSED AND VIEWED DIFFERENTLY AND HARSHLY THINK WE'RE FOLK SICK ON UNDERSTANDING CULTURAL COMPETENCE, CULTURALLY INFORMED PRACTICES SO THAT FAMILIES WILL VIEW US AS HELPERS AS INDIVIDUALS INVESTED IN KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE WITHIN THEIR HOMES AND IN THINGS TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS SUCH AS HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT, HEALTH CARE, REF SENSITIVES OF THE TAX FORCE SAY THE GOAL IS TO TRANSFORM THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SYSTEM INTO A FAMILY WELL-BEING SYSTEM AND PRESENTING AND EXPELLING SYSTEMIC RACISM.

I WOULD SAY THAT WE HAVE THE SAME EXPECTATIONSES OF THE DEPARTMENT THAT WE WOULD HAVE OF ANY PARENT, RIGHT?

SO THIS TASK FORCE AND THIS EFFORT IS ABOUT MAKING SURE WE SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT IN THE EFFORTS TO NAM BETTER PARENT WHILE THE CHILD IS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE DEPARTMENT SO WHAT DOES THE CHILD ACTUALLY NEED?

WHAT DOES THE FAMILY ACTUALLY NEED?

AND OUR HOPE THAT IS WE NOT ONLY DO SOME GREAT WORK BUT WE HAVE IT CODIFIED LEGISLATURE SO WE CAN SUSTAIN THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE BY THE TASK FORCE.

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ORG/MUTUALLY INCLUSIVE ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> AS WORK CONTINUES HERE IN OUR STATE, WE ARE THESE, PAN ON THE CONVERSATION JOINING ME IS A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, FATHER, AMY BAILEY, THE CHILD WELFARE PROGRAM DIRECTOR, DR. KATIE, A FAMILY THERAPIST AND DIRECTOR OF THE KOREAN AMERICAN ADOPTEE ADOPTED FAMILY NETWORK AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF KENT COUNTY.

THANK ALL FOR BEING HERE WITH ME TODAY.

SHARING YOUR IN SIGHT AND UNIQUE EXPERTISE.

COLE, I WANT TO BRING IN TO YOU FIRST.

ARE FOSTER FATHER OF COLOR WHICH IS MORE RARE IN TODAY'S TIME.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO GET INTO THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM?

>> WELL, IT IS FUNNY.

I OFTEN GET ASKED THAT QUESTION AND NOT ALWAYS, I GUESS, INDIRECTLY, I WANTED TO SAY, IT WAS BECAUSE OF WHAT I WAS SEEING AND I WAS WORKING AT EMERGENCY SHELTER HERE IN GRAND RAPIDS, AND I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT EVERY TIME WHEN WORKING WITH IN THAT SHELTER I STARTED SEEING YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN THAT OFTEN LOOK LIKE ME AND BEING ALMOST RECYCLED BACK AND FORTH THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND WHAT I STARTED TO REALIZE THAT I YOU KNOW, I WONDERED IF I COULD SORT OF FIND A WAY TO SUPPORT THESE CHILDREN AS WELL AND I NOTED THAT MANY OF THE FAST FOSTER FAMILIES ARE EN TENNING INTO THE SPACE AND NOT FAMILIES OF COLOR AND SO I WENT HOME AND ASKED MY 13-YEAR-OLD SON AT THE TIME AND I SAID, HEY, I WILL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT BECOMING A FOSTER FAMILY.

HE WAS FULL ONBOARD WITH IT.

BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, IN SEVEN YEARS I FOUND MYSELF FOSTERING SEVEN YOUNG MEN FROM THE GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY TO WERE INVOLVED IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

>> WHAT DID YOU FIND THOUGHT THE PROCESS.

KNOW IN SEPARATE CONVERSATION YOU AND HAVE TALKED AND BEEN OUTBOCK ABOUT HOW THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM CAN LEAD INTO THE LIFE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I STARTED TO REALIZE AND SORT OF RECOGNIZE IS THAT SOMETIMES WHAT WE WERE UNTINGSLY DOING WAS CRIMINALIZING OUR CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AND SO MY SONS, OF COURSE WERE DIAGNOSED WITH MULTIPLE DIFFERENT TYPES OF YOU DIAGNOSIS THAT DID NOT OFTEN ALIGN W, CORRECTED BEA HEAVIER OR MEDICATIONS WOULD NOT OFTEN SHIFT THEIR BEE IF THATS SO BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

THEIR BEE AIER IS SHOWING UP IN SCHOOL AND SHOWING UP IN THE COMMUNITY AND SHOWING UP AT HOME.

AND WE KNOW THIS, WHEN CHILDREN DON'T BEHAVE THE WAY WAY WE WAN HEM TO BEHAVE AND THEIR CHILDREN OF COLOR AND THEIR MALE AND THE CYCLE OF THE PRISON PIPELINE STARTS TO MANIFEST ITSELF AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

HAD THREE SONS THAT WERE NOT DOING WELL IN SCHOOL, FOUND THEMSELVES GETTING SUSPENDED SUSPENDE FROM DETHE DETENTION TO JAIL AND FROM JAIL TO PRISON.

>> AND I KNOW THAT AMY YOU AND COLE KNOW EACH OTHER.

WOE MUCH YOU WORKED TOGETHER.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS A CHILD WELFARE PROGRAM DIRECTOR WITH ARBOR CIRCLE WHAT DO YOU SEE.

THEY WILL BE IN LINE WITH WHAT COLE IS SAYING.

>> SO WE.

>> SEE AND THIS IS BOTH LOCALLY, STATE WADE AND NATIONWIDE, WE SEE A LOT OF DISPARITY AT EVERY KEY DECISION POINT WITHIN A CHILD WELFARE CASE AND SO, THIS IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO ONE PART OF THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM AND WE SEE DISPARITIES WHEN WE DISCUSSED TYPE OF PLACEMENT CHILDRENS RESIDE IN SO TO COLE'S POINT MORE CHILDREN OF COLOR END UP IN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES.

WE SEE THIS IN HOW LONG CHILDREN LANGUISH IN THE SYSTEM AND EVEN BACK TO WHO IS REMOVED AND WHICH FAMILIES ARE CALLED INTO CPTS.

SO IT IS EVERY SINGLE DECISION POINT OF A CHILD WELFARE CASE WHERE WE ARE SEEING RATION DESPAIRS NATIONWIDE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND I KNOW YOU ARE DOING GREAT WORK OVER WITH KENT COUNTY.

DO YOU WANT TO TALK TO ME A BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU DO THERE AND HOW THAT IS HELPING KIDS WHO MIGHT HAVE A HARD TIME IN A PLACEMENT.

>> SO WHAT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES AND WHAT THIS IS.

OUR PROGRAM IS WE RECRUIT COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SPEAK UP OR BE A CHILD'S VOICE IN THE FAMILY COURT PROCESS.

ONCE A CHILD IS TAKEN FROM THEIR FAMILY, DUE TO THE ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND PUT IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

IT IS ALMOST AS IF THEY ARE NEGLECTED IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AS THEY MAY HAVE BEEN EXPERIECING IN THEIR OWN LIVES AND NOT NECESSARILY IN A WAY THAT IS INTENTIONAL BUT A WAY BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IS SO BOGGED DOWN WHEN SO MANY DIFFERENT FACETS OF THINGS GOING ON AND SO MANY KIDS IN CARE THAT WE TOO SEE DISPIR TY OF THE NUMBER OF KIDS IN FOSTER CARE WHO ARE EITHER BLACK OR CHILDREN OF COLOR AND WHAT CASA DOES AND WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO.

I SAY WE GAT LONG JOURNEY AHEAD OF US.

DON'T THINK WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED TOO MUCH YET.

WE ARE TRYING TO RECRUIT PANED SIVECALLY FOCUS ON BLACK AFRICAN-AMERICANS TO COME AND TO THE TABLE AND BECOME CASA VOLUNTEERS TO SPEAK UP FOR KIDS IN THE JUSTICE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM BUS WE NEED THAT PERSPECTIVE IN OUR ADVOCACY SO THAT EVEN THOUGH CHANGE TAKES A LONG TIME, I BELIEVE THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN FAIR TO CHILDREN OF COLOR OR FAMILIES OF COLOR AND I WANT TO INVITE AND I DON'T INVITE IS A WRONG WORD.

WANT TO FIND -- WANT TO OPEN UP OUR DOORS TO PEOPLE TO THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN THIS CHANGE IN OUR SYSTEM AND ADVOCATE FOR KIDS SO THEY ARE NOT IN FOSTER CARE LATER ON AND WE HELP THEM WHEN THEY ARE YOUNG.

THEY NOT GOING AND HAVING TROUBLE IN SCHOOL AND NOT GOING TO JILL OR PRISON OR DETENTION.

I THINK IF WE CAN HELP KIDS THE YOUNGER ONES CAN HELP KID AND FAMILY THE BETTER IT FOR US THE FUTURE.

>> AXLEY.

AND KATHY AND AMY ATTACKED TO BOTH OF YOU ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF COLOR, FOSTER PARENTS OF COLOR, AND DR., DO YOU SOME GREAT WORK WITH TRANSRATION ADOPTEES, KOREAN TRANSRACIAL ADOPTEES DO YOU WANT TO TALK TO ME ABOUT WHERE THAT IMPORTANT LIES AND EYE CONTINUITY CAN WRY CHILDREN OF COLOR?

>> YEAH.

SO I THINK IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT STARTS WHEN WE ARE YOUNG AND THAT PROCESS IS BASED ON WHO WE SEE AND WHO IS OUR CIRCLE AND WE GET TO MORE OF ADOLESCENT STAGE WE HAVE THAT BRAIN POWER TO THINK A LITTLE BIT MORE AND UNDER STAN MORE OF, OK, HOW COME THIS GROUP IS BEING TREATED THIS WAY.

THIS GROUP IS BEING TREATED THIS WAY AND BUT, WHERE DO I FIT BASED ON WHO LOOKS LIKE ME BUT ALSO WHO IS SAYING SIMILAR EXPERIENCES AS ME AND DIFFICULT AND ADDS DIFFERENT LAYERS AND/OR IN ANY SITUATION WHERE IT IS TRANSRATION AND THAT, OK, SO I MAY BE CORE ROW WRIN BUT MY FAMILY IS WHITE?

HOW ARE THEY HELPING ME UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE KOREAN?

AND IN TERMS OF RACISM, DISARE DISCRIMINATION, SOLID SENSE OF SELF, RIGHT?

AND RESEARCH SHOWS OVER AND OVER AGAIN A STRONG ETHNIC IDENTITY SHOWS UP IN SCHOOLWORK AND MENTAL HEALTH AND ALL OF THESE WAYS BECAUSE WHAT IT IS IS THAT SOLID SENSE OF SELF AND UNDERSTANDING WHERE YOU FIT SO TO HAVE REPRESENTATION AND ALL DIFFERENT AREAS OF YOUR LIFE JUST STRENGTHS INS THAT SO WHEN THERE ARE HOLES IN THAT THAT ALSO SAYS THAT ALSO INDICATES THERE IS EXTRA LAYER AND EXTRA WORK TO FIGURE OUT THAT IDENTITY KEEPS FOR KIDS.

>> AND ACROSS THE BOARD, MEAN, PEOPLE ARE NOT SAYING THAT PAP REASONS OF COLOR, ADULTS OF COLOR DON'T CARE, SHOES BUT IN FACT THEY HAVE BEEN SHUT OUT OF THIS SYSTEM AND THEY DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING IN OFTEN AS THEY ARE FOSTER PARENTS THIS QUESTION IS FOR ANYONE.

HOW DO WE BRIDGE THAT GAP?

HOW DO YOU PROVIDE MORE ACCESS AND PROVIDE SAFE SPACES FOR THE PARENTS TO COME FORWARD BECAUSE THEY HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER LOVING HOMES?

WELL, THINK ONE THINK OF THINGS I HAVE SEEN HERE IN OUR COUNTY WITH WEST MICHIGAN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES THEY ARE STARTING TO ASK THOSE REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND REALLY STARTING TO LOOK AT EACH TOUCH POINT THAT A FAMILY TERNS INTO THE SYSTEM AND REALLY FINING A WAY WHEN I ON THOSE FIRST CALLS OR WHEN TENNING OR INTERACTING WITH A WORKER IN TERMS OF LOOK AT THE BIASES AND THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HOW WE INTERACT WITH FAMILIES OF COLOR.

THINK THAT I IS REALLY ONE OF THE BIG POINTS THAT IS THE SYSTEM IN ITSELF HAS TO BE FLIPPED THAT PEOPLE ARE WORKING WITHIN THIS SYSTEM HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THERE IS A LOFT WORK THAT INTENTIONALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE AND IN TERM OF HOW WE REALLY SEE AND SUPPORT FAMILIES OF COLOR.

>> I WOULD ECO THAT AS WELL.

THE IN KENT COUNTY THEY HAVE DONE BLIND REMOVAL OFS WHICH HAS BEEN AMAZING FIRST STEP TOWARD THAT PROCESS.

I WOULD SAY, TOO, AS A SYSTEM, WE HAVE TO ACCESS THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURE AND AS YOU MENTIONED, CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM HAS NOT EARNED THE RESPECT OR TRUST OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND OF COLOR.

AND SO I THINK, LOOKING AT POLICY AND PRODOO PROCEDURES DID IS A GREAT WAY TO START THAT BUT HAVING PEOPLE IN POWER WITHIN THE SYSTEM WHO ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND I AM CLEARLY NOT A PERSON OF COLOR AND 1:00 PEOPLE LIKE ME NEED TO SIT DOESN'T AND LIFT OTHERS UP ESPECIALLY WHEN TALKING ABOUT DISPARITY AND ENSURING CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO CAREGIVERS AND ADULTS WHO LOOK LIKE THEM.

WE NEED PROFESSIONALS OF COLOR.

POLICYMAKERS OF COLOR.

MEAN, THE WHOLE SYSTEM LIKE COLE SAID HAS TO FLIP.

>> AND I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT DOES SEEM THAT THE MAJORITY OF THIS INDUSTRY IS DOMINATED BY WHITE WOMEN AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FEKS THAT THAT HAS AND HOW DO WE CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITY, CREATE THIS TO BE A FIELD THAT PEOPLE WANT TO GO INTO?

>> DO WE HAVE ENOUGH TIME COVER THAT?

[LAUGHTER] >> WE CAN CERTAINLY, WE CAN CERTAINLY TRY.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A WIDE TOPIC THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE ANSWERED IN A PARAGRAPH OF WORDS BUT ANY SORT OF CONVERSATION DISCUSSIONS SOMETHING YOU FEEL VICAR MAY LAKE TO HEAR BEING BROUGHT TO THE TABLE.

I THINK WHAT AMY SAID WAS SPOT ON.

WHAM WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT IS WHITE AMERICA HAS TO LISTENER HOW TO DID A BETTER JOB OF LICENSING AND SORT OF, I DON'T WANT TO SAY CREATING SPACE BECAUSE I DON'T, I DON'T, AS A FOSTER DAD AND SAY DON'TIVE FATH EROF BLACK SONS DIDN'T NEED ANYONE TO CREATE THE SPACE FOR ME AND WHAT I NEEDED FOR FOAM DO IS MAKE SURE WHEN I WAS SAYING WHAT WAS GOING ON THEY WERE HEARING WHAT IS GOING ON AND ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING ABOUT AND SAYING I WAS SAYING HAPPENING AND SO HELPING SUPPORTING BLACK AND BROWN FAMILIES AND RECOGNIZING THAT THEY HAVE TO BE VISIBLE AND THAT MY OF MY NARRATIVE AND MY STORY DOES COUNT AND WHAT IS HAPPENING TO BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN IS HAPPEN AND YOU CANNOTTING ANOTHER THAT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE TRIED TO DO IN AND WHAT I AM TRYING TO BUILD INTO OUR CONSTANT TRAINING IS JUST THE FACT OF LISTENING AND YOU KNOW, WE CAN CALL IT THE CLICHE AND BEING MINDFUL BUT THE WAY I AM TRYING TO USE MY WHITE PRIVILEGE IS TO DEMONSTRATE TO PEOPLE THAT THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME AND I HAVE IMPLICIT BIAS SO TRYING TO SHARE MAY STORY WITH NEW VOLUNTEERS IN EX EXPLAINING TO THEM THE VOLUNTEERS THAT OFTEN LOOK LIKE ME IT IS OK TO SET TAKE A STEP BACK AND LISTEN.

IT IS BETS FOR YOU TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND LISTEN.

WE HAVE AN EXPERIENCE THAT ALSO HAS FEKING THE WAY WE LOOK AT THE WORLD AND IF WE, IF HE CLEAR THAT FROM OUR LENS, THEN THERE IS SO MUCH HER TO SEE AND WHAT WE HAVE BEEN LACKING AT FOR SO MANY YEARS.

I KNOW THAT MAY SOUND CLICHE, TOO.

AND I LIVED HERE.

ITS OK THE DOME COMES DOWN.

IT IS BET ERFOR EVERYONE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

COLE I KNOW YOU HAVE MADE A CAREER OUT OF YOUR PERSON, IN SPREADING THAT MESSAGE AND TALKING TO PEOPLE.

WHAT ARE THREE KEY AREAS THAT YOU FOCUS ON HITTING ON WHEN YOU TARKING TO PEOPLE WHO MAY COME NOOM THIS SNOWING NOTHING ABOUT FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND CERTAINLY NOT DISPARITIES THAT ARE INSIDE OF IT.

>> UM I THINK ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS TRY TODDIES PELL IS THAT CHILDREN ARE CHILDREN AND THIS WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN WHO ARE HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE HOMES TO RECOGNIZE THESE ARE, THESE ARE CHILDREN THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME REALLY DIFFICULT AND TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES.

AND LOVING ENVIRONMENT AND HOME FOR THEM AND YOU ARE GOING TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND YOU ARE GOING TO BE THE FOSTER PAR REASON BE A THE ADOPTIVE PARENT AND THE WORK STARTS THE MOMENT THE CHILD TERNS INTO THE HOME AND THEY HAVE EPISODE WHERE THEIR BEHAVIOR DOESN'T ALAIN WITH THE VALUES ARE.

THAT IS I THINK THE FIRST TIME WHEN A KIDDO SAYS DO YOU KNOW YOU ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT ME.

SO I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE COME TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE TO BE, WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB AS ADULTS TO RECK NICE THAT CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FLAM NEED US TO CREATE SAFE SPACES FOR THEM AND FOR AND WITHIN OURSELVES THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THAT HAS TO BE BONE.

THE REAL WORK HAPPENS WHEN THEY RECK NEW YOU CANNOT FIX CHILDREN BAY SIM PRI SAYING THAT ARE GOING TO SOON TO BE A FOSTER PARENT THAT YOU DON'T FIX ANYBODY BUT CREATED A SAFE SPACE FOR OUR KIDS TO GROW AND THRIVE IN AND BUT I HAVE SEEN IT BY BEING JUST A FOSTER TAR PARENT.

I WAS NOT JUST A FOSTER PREAN BUT SOMETHING IN THE COME CONTINUE I WHO REALLY CARED ABOUT THE KIDS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND I THINK BECAUSE RECOGNIZING THAT CARING PEOPLE IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE.

FUZZ CARE ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING AND YOU CARE ABOUT KIDDO THEN YOU HAVE A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE IMPACT.

AND THE SYSTEM CAN CREATE A SPACE FOR YOU TO DO THAT WORK AND IF YOU ARE REALLY DILIGENT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO KIDS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> AXE LAWLEY.

AS WE REACH OUR TIMEFRAME COMING UP.

I DO WANT TO ASK JUST RIGHT NOW, WHERE DO WE FIND THE NEED AND WHAT CAN PEOPLE AT HOME DO MAYBE THEY ARE READY TO SIGN UP AND MAYBE THEY ARE NOT READY TO TAKE THIS ON AND MAYBE THEY WOULD WANT TO BE A CARSA.

WHERE DO PEOPLE GET START ON THE JOURNEY IF THEY ARE INTERESTED.

>> WELL, GO AHEAD.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY GOOGLE.

I MEAN, GOOGLE FOSTER PARENT DIDN'T COUNTY.

I THINK WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING WITH WEST MICHIGAN PARTNERSHIP WITH ARE FOR CHILDREN AS A PROGRAM AND TRYING TO DO RECRUITING EFFORTS FOR FOSTER PARENTS AND VOLUNTEERS TOGETHER AND WE WERE REALLY ON THE ROLE WELL THAT BECAUSE COVID HIT AND BECAUSE THE IDEA IS AM I READY FOR THAT LONG TERM COMMITMENT HAVING CHILDREN IN MY HOME OR DOW WANT TO TEST THE WATERS AND BE AN ADVOCATE WHICH IS A LONG TERM COMMITMENT BUT THE, THERE IS A SYSTEM IN PLACE TO OFFER SUPPORT AROUND THE CHILD THAT YOU ARE NOT TAKING ON YOUR LEVEL YOURSELF.

SUEZ KNOW, AS THE COMMUNITY GROWS IN OUR EFFORTS OF SEEING KID AND OFFED A RECEIPT AING FOR KID AND TAKE, CARE OF THE KID WES ARE TRYING TO GROW TO WORK TOGETHER TOO TO RECRUIT PEOPLE TO DO ALL THIS STUFF THAT IT TAKES TO HELP KIDS THROUGH FOSTER CARE.

>> I WAS JUST FOG SAY.

MAIN, THE INFORMATION IS ACCESSIBLE SO JUST USING THE INTERNET THAT IS ALL THE FINGER TIPS ON A DAILY BASIS NOW.

YOU CAN FIND A TON OF INFORMATION THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD POST ARE PODCASTS AND LISTENING TO THE VOICES OF YOUTH WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND BEEN ADOPTED IS A GREAT PLACE TO START AND SO YOU ARE BEGAN YOUR EDUCATION ON THIS TOP K AHEAD OF TIME.

AND EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT IN A SPACE WHERE YOU CAN GET INVOLVED WITH THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM YOU CAN BE A PERSON WHO HELPS BUILD RESILIENCE IN KIDS GOING BACK TO WHAT THE DOCTOR WAS SAYING, POSITIVE RATION EYE CONTINUITY IS A WAY TO BUILD RESILIENCE FOR KID AND ANYONE IN THE COMMUNITY CAN DO THIS BE A PART OF THAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU COMING ON AND SHARING IN SAYINGS WE APRUSH ATE YOUR TIM AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME ON MUTUALLY INCLUSIVE.

ANNOUNCE SUPPORT COME WERES THERE THE WK KELLOGG FOUNDATION.

PARTNER WITH COMMUNITIES WHERE CHILDREN COME FIRST.

IF YOU WANT TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION, POLO WGV YOU ON FACEBOOK, ON TWITTER AND USE THE HASHTAG MULTILINE CLUESIVE.

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