Community In-Site
Community In-site is about the family well-being movement. Hosts Tecoria Jones and Elliott Hinkle bring their lived expertise with the child welfare system as well as their professional insights to each episode. We'll be talking to leaders, advocates, and community members who are working from the grassroots to the grasstops on strategies to invest in the well-being of families and communities in order to prevent child welfare involvement. The show will feature stories and lessons from community sites (featuring Thriving Families, Safer Children sites) that make the family well-being movement real and personal. Each episode will unpack a specific topic (e.g. racial equity or community partnerships) and what can be learned from the challenges and successes. The hosts hope to leave listeners with something they can take into their own work to help grow the movement in their community.
For more information about the family well-being movement and Thriving Families, Safer Children initiative you can visit, Thriving Families
Community In-Site
How Investing in Kinship Caregivers Advances Family Well-Being with Sarah Smalls
In this powerful episode, we are honored to have Sarah Smalls, a tireless advocate for kinship caregivers and grandparents raising grandchildren. Sarah has been at the forefront of national and local efforts to secure resources, support, and respect for relative caregivers. She shares her personal journey of raising her three grandchildren and her influential roles with organizations like Formed Families Forward and Generations United. Sarah shares the invaluable lessons she's learned while navigating the complexities of child welfare systems and pushing for meaningful change that respects the dignity of family members.
Sarah touches on the systemic challenges faced by kinship caregivers, obstacles and burdens placed on relatives who don’t have the finances to provide care, and the need for better policies and resources for these families. Sarah talks about a recent bill passed by the Virginia legislature that will increase a variety of support for kinship caregivers that are designed to avoid foster care placement. Her insights into informal kinship and her own experiences in the courtroom will inspire and inform listeners who are working to advance family well-being.
Community In-Site has a dedicated website where you can listen to episodes, access information and resources, and subscribe to the email newsletter. Podcasts Archive
Here is link to the Kinship legislation in Virginis that Sarah mentioned. a few resources that Judge Dugger would like to share with you.
VA SB39 | 2024 | Regular Session | LegiScan
We appreciate you spreading awareness by sharing this episode with your friends, family, and colleagues who care about family well-being.
Please email us if you want to connect with the creative team or find out how to engage with the family well-being movement. comminsite@gmail.com
Please email us if you want to connect with the creative team or find out how to engage with the family well-being movement. comminsite@gmail.com