22 January 2015 | General Interest
A journal in the United States that gives a voice to families affected by child welfare has published an edition that focuses on the prevalence of racism in the system.
The latest online edition of Rise magazine examines institutional racism in the child welfare system in the US and, through articles from both sector experts and affected parents, explores initiatives for change.
Included in the issue are accounts from parents who have encountered racism in the system, their perspectives on the matter, and their philosophies on how positive change can be achieved. The issue also includes features that examine the history and impact of the removal of Native American children from their families, and recent progress to bring about change.
Rise was founded in 2005 to combat negative stereotypes of families affected by child welfare. The organisation trains parents to write about their experiences and provides a platform for parents to share their stories.
Alongside distribution of the magazine, Rise stories are used in support groups, parent education classes, and staff training, and the organisation partners with parent advocacy organizations to use parents’ true stories in child welfare reform.