Show Notes
Description: Tune in to our latest episode as we delve into the groundbreaking work of the Office of Family Voice within the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF). Learn how this office, inspired by Commissioner Beyer’s listening tour, is prioritizing family involvement in decision-making and fostering shared leadership.
Episode Highlights:
Understanding the mission and goals of the Office of Family Voice.
Initiatives by the DCF Youth Council to support youth transitioning to adulthood, mental health, and access to case records.
Celebrating significant achievements like the Sibling Bill of Rights and the NJYRS website.
Insights into the DADS Council’s work to engage fathers in the child welfare system and reduce bias.
Efforts to enhance training for staff and involve fathers in the training process.
The role of the Parent Council and the new Lived Experience Expert Partnership (LEEP) consultancy.
Join us as we explore the vital role of family voices in shaping New Jersey’s child welfare policies and practices.
Follow and rate our podcast to stay updated on more inspiring stories and initiatives!
More from DCF on the Air
Don't Call it a Comeback! Newly appointed Commissioner Joseph Ribsam sits down with host Jason Butkowski to talk about his journey back to New Jersey as the new Commissioner for the Department of Children and Families. He also talks about his priorities for the Department within his new role.
In this episode we are taking it full circle at the end of Murphy's administration with Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer to highlight the work that has been done in the last 8 years to keep families safe, healthy, and connected. We will talk to the Commissioner about what may be next for herself and DCF, and her reflections on how it was to serve as the Commissioner for the Department.
In this bonus episode DCF on the Air talks with casework employees at various levels of their career about how they support their sense of safety and wellbeing in the workplace. This episode is produced in collaboration with the Rise Up fellows through CWEL (Child Welfare Education Leaders).
This conversation explores the various aspects of kinship care within child welfare, focusing on the definitions, programs, and benefits associated with kinship relationships. Jason Butkowski interviewed Takysha Livingston with the Kinship Navigator Program, Kimyatta Larmore with Kinship Resource Families, and Felice Elam with the Kinship Legal Guardianship program. These experts discuss their roles, the importance of maintaining family connections, and the positive outcomes for children placed in kinship care. The dialogue emphasizes the collaborative efforts among programs to support families and improve the overall welfare of children in the system within the Kinship Care continuum.
Men of Courage is a beautiful expression and counter to the prevailing “man-o-sphere” concept of masculinity. The short film takes audiences on a journey inside the Garden State for a fly-on-the-wall experience as five Black and Latino men share their personal experiences witnessing domestic abuseinside their homes. Led by Wil DuBose of the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJEDV), these men use their influence as community leaders to engage boys and men in compelling conversations about the roles they play in ending men's violence against women.