Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated Reporter, Burnout, Joy, Retention, DEI, Justice

Mandated reporters…you have a power that must be wielded responsibly. A knock on the door from CPS can change everything for a family. Mandated reporters are in a special position where they are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect. But what happens when training is sporadic, there is no real understanding or grappling of poverty versus neglect, and the policy is “when in doubt report?” Families become unnecessarily involved in a system that was never designed to care for children or families who only needed support. But let me be clear-I am not a proponent of abolishing or ending the family and child welfare system. I’ve represented hundreds of families and there are legitimate situations where the state should be involved, but that’s not all or even most foster care cases. As I think about my time in courtroom, with the agency, and now I see opportunities to change how we work with families. What about you? Check out the YouTube video as well: https://youtu.be/JpbX9jE1a9s #mandatedreporter #cps #fostercare #poverty #neglect Thank you for watching! My hope is that these conversations make us think deeper about ways to serve families better. 📬 Join the SYNCing Child Welfare Newsletter for practical tools, encouragement, and resources: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/gsyfk6n/syncpodcast

In this episode, I’m talking about heart resilience, a piece of foster care support that often gets overlooked. We talk a lot about compliance, housing, employment, and services, and those things matter. But families need more. This episode invites us to consider what support looks like beyond the checklist. Why “doing it alone” is not a realistic expectation for families How support systems shape reintegration and stability Why paid professionals can’t be the only people families rely on What it means to make heart resilience part of foster care work Foster care can become so focused on tasks that we forget the human need underneath it all. Families need plans, yes, but they also need people. Heart resilience reminds us that connection is not extra. It is part of stability. Who does a family call when they are struggling, proud, scared, or trying again? If this episode helped you think differently about the family and child welfare system, stay connected by signing up for the SYNCing Child Welfare Newsletter. You’ll receive tools, insights, and practical support to reduce confusion, isolation, and burnout in foster care. Sign up HERE .

The phrase “foster to adopt” sounds simple, but in practice, it can create a lot of confusion and heartbreak. In this episode, I talk about why this language can be misleading when the goal of foster care is often reintegration, not adoption. This conversation is not about blaming foster parents, agencies, or families. It is about clarity. When people enter the foster care system with different expectations, everyone feels it: foster parents, biological parents, workers, and most importantly, the child. Why this matters Foster care already carries enough emotion, pressure, and uncertainty. When people are not given clear information upfront, confusion grows, trust breaks down, and relationships that could have become supportive can become strained instead. Reflection question How does your agency explain the difference between foster care, reintegration, and adoption to prospective foster parents? Call to action If this episode helped you think differently about the family and child welfare system, stay connected by signing up for the SYNCing Child Welfare Newsletter. You’ll receive tools, insights, and practical support to reduce confusion, isolation, and burnout in foster care. Sign up HERE . ******* 8 Videos in 8 Weeks YouTube series Check out the 1st video in a limited series on rethinking the family and child welfare system HERE .

In this episode, I reflect on my long, complicated relationship with DEI: the promise, the disappointment, the fatigue, and the deeper purpose underneath it all. What began as formal diversity work inside an institution eventually became something much more personal: a way of understanding justice, dignity, opportunity, and the barriers families face inside systems. I share how early DEI work taught me that organizations often reveal their true commitment through resources, access, and influence. I also explore what happens when the language of DEI becomes politically charged, when people quietly distance themselves from the work, and when the principles still matter even if the labels change. At its core, this episode is not just about DEI as a department, title, or acronym. It is about whether we still believe in fairness, equal protection, belonging, and the possibility of becoming a better nation. Next steps: To continue learning and move beyond surface-level conversations, engage with Skin DEEP: The History of Child Welfare by Race, an online course and workshop designed to help professionals, organizations, and community partners understand how race has shaped the family and child welfare system. Visit www.skindeepcw.com or email info@skindeepcw.com to learn more.

In this episode, I’m talking with Lauren Welch, founder of Social Empowerment Texas, about what it means to support the people doing some of the hardest work in the child welfare and foster care system. Lauren is a foster and adoptive mom, and through both personal and professional experience, she saw a gap in support for CPS employees, case managers, investigators, supervisors, and support staff. So instead of only talking about what is wrong, she started building something to help. We talk about how supporting workers also supports families. When the workforce is overwhelmed, unsupported, and constantly turning over, foster parents feel it, parents feel it, and children feel it. Lauren shares how Social Empowerment Texas is creating small but meaningful moments of support, from appreciation pop-ups and car kits to refreshed visitation rooms and one-on-one encouragement through their Social Stars program. Social Empowerment Texas information: Was born out of a place of care for the system and those that are affected by it - and the enormous trickle effect that caring, encouraging and empowering social workers provides. www.socialempowertx.org lauren@socialempowertx.org https://www.facebook.com/SocialEmpowerTX #ChildWelfare #FosterCare #ChildWelfareSystem #FamilyAndChildWelfareSystem #CPS #SocialServices #Burnout #Retention #WorkforceSupport #SimpleJoy

Before you quit, I want you to pause for a minute. In this episode, I’m talking to the people in social services, foster care, and the family and child welfare system who are tired, frustrated, overwhelmed, or wondering if their work is making a difference. I’ve been there. I’ve carried 100-plus families, I’ve felt the weight of burnout, and I know what it feels like to love the work while also wondering if you can keep doing it. If this episode speaks to where you are right now, sign up for the SYNCing Child Welfare newsletter so you can stay connected and receive tools that simplify navigation and reduce confusion in the family and child welfare system. Click HERE . #burnout #isolation #connection #fostercare #childwelfare #socialservices #mandatedreporter #supervisor #director #leadership #manager

In this episode, I’m talking about the deep connection between foster care and homelessness, especially for youth who age out of the child welfare and foster care system without a plan or without supportive family to lean on. I share why this should be a shared sorrow for all of us, and what shared success can look like when a community wraps support around families early and consistently. I also break down what the data tells us about foster youth and homelessness and incarceration, highlight a few federal and state programs that matter, and share a local example of what it looks like when systems actually connect and build a “one front door” approach for families. Call to Action: If you know a youth who has been involved in foster care, encourage them to ask about FYI vouchers and Chafee supports and to connect with local agencies that can help them navigate eligibility. And if you’re a leader, partner, or helper in the family and child welfare system, let’s talk about what intentional connection could look like across your local ecosystem. Email: info@dupreeperspective.com

In this episode, I’m talking about shame in foster care and how powerful it is. Shame can stop people from getting help when they need it, and sometimes it keeps families quiet until a situation becomes an emergency. I share a moment from court that stuck with me, a grandmother in tears saying, “If I would’ve known, I would’ve done something.” That’s the thing about shame. People can be drowning and no one knows. I also talk about how mandated reporting fits into this, why two things can be true at the same time (reporting can save lives and reporting can also pull families into deeper system involvement than they actually needed), and what I believe we have to focus on instead: protecting families, connecting systems, and making the process simple enough that people can actually succeed. If you’re a helper, a mandated reporter, or a leader in the family and child welfare system: is our process simple enough that someone new can understand it without feeling ashamed or lost? Click the link below and grab the child welfare confusion audit. Newsletter signup with free gift- access the Child Welfare Confusion Audit HERE .

Helpers need encouragement too. In this episode, I’m talking directly to the people who carry heavy things for a living: child welfare professionals, social services staff, foster care partners, advocates, and anyone doing complex work with families. I share a few reminders I’ve had to learn the hard way: rest has to be built in, reflection keeps you honest about your pace and your impact, and remembering matters because gratitude can be fuel. If you’re tired, questioning whether you can keep going, or feeling like the work is swallowing your life, this one is for you. Newsletter signup with free gift- access the Child Welfare Confusion Audit HERE .

A few years ago I made a post about motherhood, the Proverbs 31 woman, and the truth we forget: she had help. That same principle applies in foster care. No one can do this work alone, and pretending we can is a fast track to burnout. In this episode, I share what I learned leading a region of 400+ employees across five counties, why staffing challenges become a predictable burnout cycle, and what it actually takes for people to stay: fair compensation, meaningful impact, and real support. I also talk about how mandated reporting works in practice, why poverty and neglect get blurred, and why the real fix is connection across the 10 systems in the family and child welfare ecosystem. This is the heart of what I teach through SYNCing Child Welfare: moving organizations from isolation to connected, and making joy part of the process again. Register for SYNCing Child Welfare session on Thursday, May 7th, 2026 @ 11am CT : https://syncingchildwelfare.webinarninja.com/live-webinars/10808511/register #burnout #isolation #connection #fostercare #childwelfare #mandatedreporter #proverbs31woman

"One of the biggest threats to good outcomes in child welfare is not bad intentions…it is the broken or inconsistent communication between all the folks involved in a child's life." — Kellie Green A true quote from our guest on the podcast today and it frames our discussion so well. In this episode of Navigating Child Welfare, I’m talking with colleague Kellie Green, who’s worked across child welfare, Medicaid, and behavioral health for over 20 years. We get real about why the child welfare system and foster care can feel so complicated, even for people who do this work for a living. And we focus on one of the biggest issues that quietly wrecks outcomes: broken and inconsistent communication. Then we talk solutions, specifically a coordination platform called Sunlight that’s built to connect everyone on a child’s team in one place. Solutions exist- we have to brave enough to keep looking. #FosterCare #ChildWelfareSystem #ChildWelfare #FamilyAndChildWelfareSystem #CaseManagement #ParentRepresentation #CASA #Permanency #SystemsChange Kellie & Sunlight contact info: www.getsunlight.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelliehansreid/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunlighthq/ Check out SYNCing Child Welfare: www.syncingchildwelfare.com

Race has always mattered in America. The family and child welfare system is not exempt from history. In this episode of Navigating Child Welfare, I'm sharing what I've learned from creating Skin Deep and leading the Going Deep Together workshop, and why these discussions are essential for anyone serving families in the foster care and child welfare system and how to equip the next generation of family helpers through connection and humanity. Below are a few lessons I've learned: Lesson #1: Sometimes organizations are not ready to discuss race, bias, and it impacts the families they are serving. Takeway- leaders can begin preparing staff to have uncomfortable discussions. Lesson #2: The Going DEEP Together Workshop I lead is only facilitated in person. Takeaway- race is difficult to talk about and escapism is real! Lesson #3: The Skin DEEP online course & webinar is accredited for Missouri and Kansas CEU’s and CLE’s. Takeaway- not only are you learning and applying, social workers and attorneys in Kansas and Missouri can also receive credit for their attendance! Lesson #4: Connecting with people and their experiences is what keeps us grounded and connected to humanity. Takeaway- it matters what happened to families and communities and Skin DEEP provides a way for individuals and organizations to have a nuanced discussion that is helpful. If you're responsible for training staff or students in a child and family serving organization, this episode is for you. The history is worth understanding. What's happening now has happened before, and there is power in knowing that. 🎧 Listen: Going Deep Together: Race, History, and the Family and Child Welfare System 📲 Six months of Skin Deep access for $200- www.skindeepcw.com . Use the coupon code: CLECEU. #ChildWelfare #FosterCare #FamilyAndChildWelfareSystem #RacialEquity #CulturalCompetency #SkinDeep #RaceAndLaw #FamiliesInAmerica #Leadership #SystemsChange

On this episode of Navigating Child Welfare, I’m talking with Judge Karen Braxton and honestly… I loved this conversation. She describes judges as a catalyst for collaboration, and she actually shows up that way. We talk about the role a judge can play in reducing confusion in the family and child welfare system, why acronyms leave parents glassy-eyed, and what it looks like to lead a courtroom with dignity, humanity, and real clarity. Moments you’ll remember: The phrase that stayed with me: “catalyst for collaboration.” The reality check about court language and acronyms and how easy it is for families to leave confused My takeaway: Court is already intimidating. When families don’t understand what’s happening, they can’t fully participate. What I heard in this conversation is that judges can reduce confusion and increase trust without giving up authority. They can lead like humans, and that leadership changes the whole tone of the child welfare system in the courtroom. Be sure to share this episode, and check out www.syncingchildwelfare.com if you are looking to bring training, collaboration, and connection to your organization. Follow Judge KB’s on any of the platforms below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudgeKBraxton/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judgekbraxton IG: https://www.instagram.com/judgekbraxton/

Episode summary I want you to sit with a real question: when are you ever in the room with the people who impact your work and the environment is actually collaborative? Not a courtroom. Not a crisis case. Just a room where everyone is trying to understand each other and work better together. In this episode, I talk about how easy it is for foster care and child welfare work to turn into assumptions and side conversations when there’s miscommunication. And honestly, I get it. When we don’t understand what another person does, it’s tempting to label them as incompetent or uncaring. But most of the time, we’re judging people we’ve never actually talked to. I share what I learned as an attorney, then later as a social service administrator: relationships change outcomes. When we intentionally get court partners, attorneys, guardian ad litems, caseworkers, and community organizations in the room (outside of adversarial spaces), skepticism can turn into buy-in, and chaos can turn into clarity. What I cover Leadership requires understanding how families are impacted How frustration and miscommunication are often signals that connection is needed Why the “big agency” can’t act like it does & knows everything How inviting community orgs to share what they do changes everything SYNCing Child Welfare is a solution and helps organizations see the 10 systems in the family and child welfare system and learn practical ways to connect across them Key takeaways If there’s consistent frustration, there’s probably a missing relationship or missing understanding If we don’t create a feedback loop, people end up “suffering in silence” while things stay absurdly unwell The people who do well in this work are usually the ones who see the big picture and build connection on purpose What’s next & call to action If you’re ready to bring more connection, collaboration, and real partnership into your foster care or child welfare work, reach out. My email is info@dupreeperspective.com . Reach out today!

When you’re involved in foster care and the child welfare system, adding special education on top of everything else can send everybody into a spiral. In this episode, I’m talking with Krystal from The Advocacy Circle (through Kay Altman Law Firm) about practical support for IEPs and 504 plans. We break down what these are, how parents and caregivers can get started, and how their virtual advocate tool can help you ask better questions, write better requests, and feel less lost in the process. We cover: What the Advocacy Circle is and who its for (HINT: Parents, Caregivers, and people supporting children in special education- ESPECIALLY if you are new to the special education world) Action Items: 1. Check out the Advocacy Circle website and information at: https://theadvocacycircle.com/ 2. If you decide to sign up, listeners of the Navigating Child Welfare podcast can use the special code: DUPREETAC10 for 10% off their subscription, at any tier. This is a one-time use code. 3. If you have questions about special education for your child or child in foster care, start asking questions and get supported today- it can make a world of difference regarding their ability to truly learn in school.

Reducing frustration in foster care starts with the stuff we don’t always name: trust, roles, and real partnership across the family and child welfare system. In this episode, I share a story from a major project where we were stuck waiting on pieces outside our control. The shift was simple: I prepared everything I could control so we were ready the moment the missing pieces landed. That same mindset applies to foster care. There are so many moving parts, and sometimes you don’t even know what’s missing until the work slows down. I’m talking about how to prepare for partnership using the 360º workshop so you have more clarity, balance, and trust internally and with external partners. Action Items - Take the 360º Assessment - it takes about 5 minutes to complete and it can be found at https://syncingchildwelfare.com/360o-assessment/ . - Email info@syncingchildwelfare.com to schedule a time to discuss a 360º workshop for your team today. - Join the Newsletter to stay updated on the SYNCing Child Welfare Program: HERE

Beauty and harm can coexist in our history, and healing starts with honest reflection and shared action. This episode focuses centers on healing from racial trauma and why honest history is essential to repair. She traces how race has shaped American law and memory, then connects that history to daily practice in the family and child welfare system. From the Declaration and Constitution to the Civil Rights Amendments, from birthright citizenship to repatriation and guest worker policies, and from post-emancipation child taking to the work of the Freedmen’s Bureau, Shanelle names patterns of othering and invites listeners to build systems that protect dignity and equity. You are invited to check out Skin Deep, the History of Child Welfare by Race, and Going Deep Together for organizations that want structured conversations that lead to change at www.skindeepcw.com .

Sometimes our help looks good on paper but doesn’t help in practice. In this episode, Shanelle names “fake help,” shows how to co-create real solutions with the people affected, and explains where 360° Family and Child Welfare Workshops solves a specific problem by strengthening partnerships and prepares a community for service in the family and child welfare system. You will learn: What “fake help” is and how to stop creating extra work for families and staff. Three common blockers: fixing problems without the people affected, over-engineering solutions, and over-automating connection. The 360º Workshop unlocks progress within family and child welfare agencies to solve a concrete cross-agency issue, rebuild working relationships, or to prepare partners for new responsibilities or projects. Take the SYNCing Child Welfare 360º Assessment today to partner effectively: www.syncingchildwelfare.com & follow up with a workshop for your organization!

Shanelle and guest Steve Gonyea wrap up their conversation by digging into why many agency-run “support groups” have good intentions, but miss the mark, especially when supervisors or case managers are in the room. Caregivers, parents, and youth will not share real concerns when the people who evaluate them are listening, so the space is not actually supportive. The conversation covers what new and veteran caregivers really need, which are: timely answers, plain language guidance, and safe places to learn how to navigate court, school, medication questions, and after-hours crises. Shanelle also shares monthly webinar plans, the idea of training after the train wreck, and invites listeners to the 360º Assessment for partners in the family and child welfare system. Key takeaways Support groups must be peer-led or community-hosted with psychological safety, otherwise honest feedback will not surface. Practical help beats platitudes, even a fast “no” is better than silence when a caregiver is in crisis. Make court understandable and accessible for youth and caregivers, name what to wear, how to address the judge, and how to share information. Partner across the ecosystem, families need timely answers, workers need realistic roles, volunteers need clear rules. Take the SYNCing Child Welfare 360º Assessment today to partner effectively: www.syncingchildwelfare.com! Steve Gonyea, Co Host, Finding Common Ground Podcast website: https://www.fcgadvocacy.org/about-steve-gonyea Sensor Barn solution: A vibrant, calming haven for kids and adults with sensory needs (Spectrum News). Email: steve_gonyea@yahoo.com

Shanelle sits down with advocate and long-time therapeutic foster parent Steve Goneya to talk about what is not working and what communities can build right now. Steve has welcomed 178 children through respite and high-needs care, fought for supports for high health needs children, and learned the hard truth about bureaucracy, turnover, and waitlists. Instead of waiting, he built solutions: an Autism Barn that became a community hub and an Ability Bus model that partners with veterans to get youth and adults with disabilities to appointments and life-giving activities when agencies do not run nights or weekends. This is part one of the conversation. Links to Steve’s projects and Shanelle’s 360º Assessment are in the show notes. You will hear How years in family care and therapeutic foster care shaped Steve’s approach to high-needs placements Why adoption decisions must consider lifelong supports and eligibility, and how delays and paperwork keep youth waiting. Community solutions that work now: a private Autism Barn that became a regional resource and an Ability Bus run with veterans that agencies could not replicate due to after-hours gaps. Why Steve is organizing storytellers and aged-out youth, meeting legislators, and developing a national transportation initiative with a film partner to seed similar models in other states. Key takeaways Build the environment you wish existed. Small, concrete projects can scale when partners see them working. Accountability and support are both true. Families need timely decisions and workers need realistic caseloads and clear roles. Community partners can move faster than bureaucracy. Veterans, faith groups, and local donors can fill critical gaps. Steve Gonyea, Co‑Host, Finding Common Ground Podcast website : https://www.fcgadvocacy.org/about-steve-gonyea Sensor Barn solution: A vibrant, calming haven for kids and adults with sensory needs (Spectrum News) . Email : steve_gonyea@yahoo.com Take the 360º Assessment today to partner effectively: www.syncingchildwelfare.com