National Conversation on Racial Equity and Child Welfare – Part I

On November 30th, 2021, the National Council of Juvenile and Family court Judges (NCJFCJ) held the first of a special three-part national conversation focused on addressing racial equity and redefining poverty and neglect in child welfare system.

Conversations are hosted by Dr. Rita Cameron-Wedding and NCJFCJ’s Sheldon Spotted Elk, JD, Program Director, Tribal Justice Partnerships. Panelists include judicial leaders and others at the forefront of systems’ change efforts in the dependency court system.

In the first session, panelists discussed how systemic racism has impacted child welfare outcomes and the need to institute reforms that can potentially mitigate systemic racism.