The African American Work Group on Child Protection received state grants for several projects to reduce racial disparities in child protection and foster care.
Recently we highlighted the cultural navigators initiative. This week we feature the community listening sessions being organized by the Hypatia Group between Hennepin County child protection staff and members of the African American community, using the University of Michigan’s Intergroup Relations model.
Three groups comprised equally of community members and child protection staff will meet with trained facilitators to reduce mistrust of child protection, create a sustained dialogue, and develop future action steps.
County-community relations have long been a barrier to better outcomes for children and families. This project will help by giving child protection staff access to the collective wisdom of the African American community.