people iconEngaging Lived Experience

Lived experience voice is crucial to achieving better outcomes for families in the child welfare and youth justice systems. The Division of Safety and Permanence (DSP) continues to think intentionally about how Lived Experience can inform policy and practice.

Some recent efforts include elevating lived experience voice in many of DSP’s strategic initiatives (including Safety Revisions, the Initial Assessment Improvement Project and others). DSP has also published resources – created in partnership with parents – that support families in learning what they need to know as they engage with the child welfare and youth justice systems. 

Investing in lived experience education, awareness and engagement is one of the ways DSP is working to learn from, partner with and elevate lived experience and family voice. Throughout 2024, DSP will host lunch-and-learns that will provide opportunities for counties to:

  • Learn how they can incorporate lived experience voice in their practices and behaviors;
  • and leverage lived experience input and partnership to support families. 

This year’s first lunch-and-learn will be held on Thursday, February 29 from 11 a.m. to noon. Visit the lived experience webpage to register and learn more about other opportunities for counties to get engaged!