Engaging 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.

On May 17- 18, DSP – in partnership with the Office of Children’s Mental Health – is hosting the second annual Lived Experience Summit. The Lived Experience Summit is an opportunity for those with lived experience to come together, build relationships and learn more about how their voices are crucial to system change. 

The days will be filled with various workshops, keynotes and fun! Lived experience partners were critical to the planning of the summit and ensured that it will include topics important to them. These topics include self-care, expanding their networks and sessions on how to advocate for and inform policy. DSP is grateful to have such passionate partners at the table as we continue to partner with those with lived experience. 

Additionally, DSP continues to think about how to support agencies with their lived experience engagement efforts. DSP has partnered with the University of Wisconsin Survey Center to distribute a statewide survey to learn more about:

• Efforts that agencies are leading around lived experience.
• What support agencies may need to elevate those efforts.
• How the Department of Children and Families can partner with agencies to ensure lived experience voice continues to drive child welfare system transformation efforts.

The survey will be distributed within the next month, so be sure to keep an eye out!

Lastly, DSP will continue to host lunch-and-learns; the next session is scheduled for Thursday, June 13 at 11:30 a.m. Visit the Lived Experience webpage to register and learn more about other opportunities to get engaged.