Ending Disproportionality by Returning to Culture, Community, and Family with Kailene Nihipali Sanchez Artwork

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

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Community In-Site

Ending Disproportionality by Returning to Culture, Community, and Family with Kailene Nihipali Sanchez

October 10, 2024 • Proximity Design Studio & 14th Street Studios • Season 1 • Episode 13

In this episode, we hear from Kailene Nihipali Sanchez, Network Manager at EPIC ʻOhana, Inc in Hawaii. As a teenager, Kailene grew up in a community with high rates of health issues, homelessness, and substance abuse. She describes a pivotal moment when she returned to her culture and identity to overcome early adversity. As the Network Manager, she now advocates alongside other native Hawaiian families for a reimagined child welfare grounded in Native Hawaiian culture, values, and deep positive relationships that heal and strengthen individuals, families, and communities.

The Network teams are restoring traditional practices, implementing cultural training, and creating a future where every native Hawaiian child thrives within a supportive and connected community. Through building networks, promoting cultural identity, and emphasizing communal support, Kailene and her team are redefining child welfare in Hawaii. Their specific goal is that by 2030, native Hawaiian children will no longer be disproportionately represented in the system. Listeners will learn how Hawaii is working on the Thriving Families, Safer Children initiative principle of addressing racial equity and disproportionality.

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 - Thriving Families

Here are some additional resources that Kailene would like to share with you.

EPIC ‘Ohana, Inc : EPIC ‘Ohana, Inc.

Call to Action for Healing: Call to Action for Healing

Handout Nā Kama a Hāloa: Nā Kama a Hāloa — EPIC ‘Ohana, Inc.

Native Hawaiian Fact Sheet: Native Hawaiian Fact Sheet 4c

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