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Safe, Stable, and Nurturing Families Help Everyone Achieve their Fullest Potential
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Jordan Institute for Families Periodic Review is Successful!
The Jordan Institute was approved by the UNC Centers & Institutes Review Committee to continue our work. The review found that: The Jordan Institute is an important asset of the School of Social Work that contributes significantly to the mission of the University. The fruits of JIF’s leadership and team members include multiple projects that highlight applied and translational service work, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration with multiple university schools and Institutes all of which enhances research and instruction. JIF has an excellent array of projects and outreach across North Carolina in the areas of child and family well-being. We would again like to thank our review committee chair Kevin FitzGerald, 6 committee members, the 50 people who took part in interviews or a survey and Yvette Thompson.
We are energized and excited about all the new ideas and work ahead.
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Child Fatality Prevention Summit
On March 30, 2023, the Jordan Institute for Families hosted leaders in the Child Fatality Prevention System from across the state for the North Carolina Child Fatality Prevention System Summit – Continuing to Collaborate, Learn, and Take Action for our Children’s Future. The hybrid event brought together over 250 state and national experts to learn from one another; increase knowledge about causes of child death and prevention strategies; build skill in conducting effective and equitable reviews of child deaths; and learn how to cope with secondary trauma and prevent burnout. You can find a recording of the full, morning plenary session, an excerpted recording of the session, Bringing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Lens to Child Death Reviews, and presentation slides here. Read our blog on the Summit here.
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Life Course Intervention Research Network
Dr. Todd Jensen continues to serve as the leader of the Family Measurement Node in the Life Course Intervention Research Network. In this capacity, he is managing a pilot study entitled "Family Ages and Stages": A Qualitative Investigation of Key Periods of Family Development and Functioning. This project seeks to understand common “family ages and stages”—or key periods of family life—from the perspective of adults who have experience parenting at least one child from birth to young adulthood. Seventeen individuals or couples have been interviewed and data analysis is underway. Study findings will enrich our understanding of the ways families develop and change over time, as well as help inform the development of programs and services that are intended to benefit children and families across the life course. Drs. Carol Duh-Leong, Vivian Tamkin, and Sarah Verbiest are working with Todd on data analysis and publications.
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State of the South Convening
Equity Lead, Dr. Allison De Marco, moderated a session “Strengthening Support for Children and Families,” at the MDC State of the South: True South Central Appalachia Convening April 19-20 at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. The convening featured candid conversations on the past, present, and future of Appalachia, asking What would the South look like if equity became a shared Southern value? Over two days, we gathered to deepen long-standing relationships, develop new partnerships, and discover areas for working together to create economic security, racial equity, and community well-being. We are excited about our ongoing partnership with MDC and thinking about the State of the Southern Family in the future.
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Supporting Preschool Success for Black Children
The Jordan Institute team, led by Dr. Paul Lanier partnered with Wake County Smart Start over the past 2 years to conduct a mixed-methods pilot study to understand the experiences of preschool suspension and expulsion for North Carolina families. So far, the team has collected over 300 parent surveys about experiences of child behavior concerns and disciplinary experiences in 5 counties (Wake, Mecklenburg, Randolph, Martin, and Pitt). Because prior studies show that Black children are twice as likely to experience exclusionary discipline, the team has also conducted interviews with Black parents who have experienced preschool suspension or expulsion. The team will be releasing findings and submitting peer-reviewed manuscripts from this study over the summer. The study was funded with generous support from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.
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Working Toward Justice
We successfully completed our June 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge with almost 200 participants! People received daily emails with resources and information then invited to do one action daily to deepen their understanding of power, privilege, oppression, and racial equity. We will be offering this again in September – email Allison.demarco@unc.edu to learn more and/or join the list for September!
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New Blog Post: Public Benefits Cliffs for Families
Check out our latest blog, courtesy of Dr. Mat Despard, focusing on the challenges lower-wage workers experience when earning a raise or taking on extra hours for extra pay puts them at risk of losing benefits such as childcare assistance. This is part of our growing focus on the structural supports needed to help working families in North Carolina. Click here to read it!
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Thank you to Carlton Johnson for lending his time and talent to the Jordan Institute this past academic year. We are so grateful to have had the chance to work with him. He was ready to jump in on any task from evaluation to focus groups and registration forms and everything in between. Carlton - the office and refrigerator are always open for visits - don't be a stranger!! | | |
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Welcome Shareen El Naga!
Shareen El Naga (she/her) is a graduate student at the UNC Schools of Social work and Public Health. She will complete her dual degree practicum by supporting the Jordan Institute until the Spring of 2024. A fun fact about Shareen is that she co-authored a booklet called "Emergent Spaces, Finding an Alternative" after being inspired by the work of adrienne maree brown. She has already jumped in with both feet and we are excited to have her join our team!
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The 4th Trimester is Going Strong!
The Jordan Institute's partnership with the School of Medicine on the 4th Trimester Project continues to go well. Funded by a 5-year contract with the North Carolina Division of Public Health, Women, Infant, and Community Wellness Section, the project has worked closely with our community partner City Gate Dream Center in Greensboro and has added a series of short videos to our large array of patient resources. Our monthly Community of Practice gatherings continue to provide valuable learning opportunities for providers across the state and we are working with clinics and health care systems to improve postpartum care for new families. We also have led several national webinars, supported doula training, and continue to work to redefine what quality, equitable care looks like in practice. Check out NewMomHealth.com and share the contents with the expecting/new parents in your life. We are integrating our experience in maternal health into other partnerships such as the Fall Wicked Problems of Child Welfare Convening!
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TEAM NEWS
Dr. Paul Lanier was promoted to full tenured professor this spring. Dr. Todd Jensen won the School of Social Work Award for Excellence in Research. Dr. Sarah Verbiest reached 20 Years of Service at UNC. Katherine Bryant's family will be growing in September with a new baby on the way!
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Building on the Jordan legacy, we leverage evidence, policy, collaboration, innovation, and the wisdom of communities to work together to create the conditions where ALL families can thrive.
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