On July 17, present and past leaders in the IFPS movement from many national organizations (including Annie E. Casey Foundation, Children’s Defense Fund, Child Welfare League of America, National Conference of State Legislators, Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges) and from many states (Indiana, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Kentucky, Missouri, Washington) gathered at the Talaris Conference Center in Seattle to celebrate and chronicle the history and stories of one of the most important systems reform initiatives in child welfare in this country.
Attendees shared their knowledge and experiences as the group reviewed the contribution of IFPS to child welfare, how its implementation impacted child welfare, and what it offers for the future.
Douglas W. Nelson, Retired President and CEO of the Annie E. Casey Foundation shares his thoughts on the 40th Anniversary of IFPS and its impact on the child welfare system in the U.S.:
“I am convinced that the lessons learned from the development and implementation of family preservation program models will continue to inform child welfare practice and system reform efforts in the next twenty five years. It is a timeless model that encourages and supports the fundamental belief that all children need and deserve a family.”
Read more: http://www.intensivefamilypreservation.org/40th-anniversary-celebration/
Topics Included:
- The IFPS Journey: The First 40 Years. The beginning of Homebuilders, overview of the Clark IFPS Initiative, and current status of IFPS Implementation.
- Social Work Education Project at the University of Washington
- 40 years of IFPS Research
- Creating Positive Public Opinion about Keeping Families Together
- National Coordination of Strategy and State Implementations
- Federal Policy Development and Implementation
- Looking Forward: What’s moving forward now and in what ways can we all contribute
Awards
Awards were presented at the event to three individuals whose work has contributed significantly to the field of intensive family preservation services over the past 40 years.
- Peter Forsythe, former Director of the Program for Children of the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation
In recognition of his outstanding vision, strategic focus and extraordinary support of child welfare system change.
- Doug Nelson, Retired CEO at Annie E. Casey Foundation
In recognition and appreciation of his decades of outstanding leadership in child welfare system change.
- Charlotte Booth, Executive Director of the Institute for Family Development
Lifetime Achievement Award for exceptional leadership and dedication to Intensive Family Preservation Services and child welfare systems change.
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Posted by Peg Marcworth