Division of Safety and Permanence Lived Experts Groups Lived experience voice is central to the Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) vision that all Wisconsin children and youth are safe and loved members of thriving families and communities. Partnership with lived experts – those who are directly affected by DCF’s programs, policies, and decisions – is transforming the child welfare system by: Building equity in programs, policies, and practice. Empowering children, youth, caregivers, and families. Bringing awareness and a deeper understanding of system needs and service gaps in the child welfare system (which includes Child Protective Services (CPS) and youth justice). Promoting best practices for partnering with lived experts to improve outcomes for children, youth and families. The Division of Safety and Permanence (DSP) is partnering with lived experts to bring their voices to policy and program development. Continue reading to learn more about these groups and the critical work they’re doing to transform Wisconsin’s child welfare system. Get Involved Lived experts who are interested in joining any of the groups listed below can fill out the interest form, which will connect them to DCF’s lived experience team to learn more about how to get involved. Child Welfare Parent Leaders The Parent Leaders in Child Welfare Group brings parents’ voices and experiences to program, policy, and resource development. This group was created in partnership with the Office of Children’s Mental Health. The Parent Leaders in Child Welfare Group includes parents who have had an active, open case with their local child welfare agency. Each Parent Leader brings different experiences to this work, including having had children on an in-home safety plan, placed with relatives, placed in non-relative out-of-home care, or adopted. Some have experience as Parent Partners in Wisconsin’s Parents Supporting Parents program. One of the group’s recommendations was to create better resources to support parents involved with the child welfare system. This recommendation and their ongoing feedback led to the creation of “An Introduction to Child Welfare - For Parents, By Parents” and “Understanding the Language of Child Welfare,” two resources that can help families better understand the system and what they can expect from their involvement with it. Wisconsin Youth Advisory Council and Youth Leadership Team Wisconsin Youth Advisory Council Members of DCF’s longest-standing lived experience group, the Wisconsin Youth Advisory Council (YAC), includes current and former youth (ages 14–26) who have experience in the foster care system. The YAC develops education, advocacy, training, and awareness efforts to encourage positive change in the foster care system. Members begin by participating in regional YAC Councils and, later, can join the Statewide Advisory Council. Youth Leadership Team Youth Leadership Team (YLT) members include youth (ages 14–21) who have experience in the youth justice system. The YLT works with DCF staff on projects aimed at improving Wisconsin’s youth justice system. As members of the team, youth can share their unique and valuable experiences and insights – which are instrumental to DCF’s work and the work of youth justice partners across the state – and strengthen their leadership skills. For more information about the YAC and YLT and how to get involved, please visit DCF’s Youth Leadership Opportunities webpage. Relative Caregivers The Relative Caregiver Group members includes court-ordered or child welfare-involved relative caregivers. The group supports the development of resources for relative caregivers in Wisconsin. One of these resources is the Kinship Navigator Portal, which helps connect relative and like-kin caregivers to local resources. This group also offers feedback on general program and policy development. Equity and the Value of Lived Experience Lived experience voice is essential to DCF’s commitment – shared by partners throughout the state – to strive for justice in the child welfare system through addressing systemic oppression, inequity, and racism. Engaging diverse voices and perspectives is crucial to transforming Wisconsin’s child welfare system and addressing disparity. Learn more about the disproportionate impact the child welfare system has on children and families of color by visiting the Putting Families First Data Dashboard. And for more information about how child welfare agencies can engage lived experience at the local level, visit the Lived Expertise Engagement resource from Casey Family Programs. Resources In addition to taking a look at the resources listed below, subscribe to the Putting Families First Newsletter to receive updates on lived experience engagement at DCF and across Wisconsin. "An Introduction to Child Welfare - For Parents, By Parents" – Offers high-level information about the child welfare system and what parents can expect from their experience and from the child welfare professionals involved in their case. "Understanding the Language of Child Welfare - A Resource for Parents" – Defines terms families may hear or see as they engage with their local child welfare agency. “Information for Parents at the Start of a CPS Initial Assessment” – Provides parents and caregivers important information about the Initial Assessment (IA) process and what they can expect to happen during an IA. Information for Parents at the Start of a CPS Initial Assessment (English) Information for Parents at the Start of a CPS Initial Assessment (Spanish) Information for Parents at the Start of a CPS Initial Assessment (Hmong) Parent Supporting Parents – Includes the mission, benefits of and information about Wisconsin’s Parents Supporting Parents program. Equitable Lived Experience Engagement – Describes what equitable engagement with lived experts looks like and how to identify opportunities for better equity in these partnerships. Voices of Lived Experience – Shares the stories of families, young adults, caregivers, child welfare professionals and system partners who have been affected by the child welfare system. Lived Expertise Engagement – Features resources to support child welfare agencies as they engage youth and parents in their work. Youth Engagement – Features resources created by FosterClub, an organization created for and driven by young people who have foster care experience.
