New Podcast Episode of "Let's Have a Conversation" with Los Angeles County Department of Child and Family Services

Numbers can reveal profound narratives and the story of Upfront Family Finding in Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is inspiring. In the space of two years, LA County DCFS has seen a remarkable increase in the percentage of children initially placed in out-of-home care with kin. DCFS began its Upfront Family Finding journey in 2016 with two pilot offices, gradually expanding the program and implementing it countywide in 2023.

Since its inception, the program has benefited 6,004 children, locating 42,429 maternal relatives, 28,591 paternal relatives, and 5,225 non-relative extended family members (data as of March 13, 2024). For the first three months of 2024, there have been 1460 children who were the subject of detention hearings for this project. 83% of those children were initially placed with kin, including non-offending parents, relatives and non-related extended family members (NREFMs). Not including the non-offending parents, 61% were placed with relatives and NREFMs. 

In this compelling episode, Director Bob Friend sits with dedicated managers and staff members of LA County DCFS to delve into the transformative realm of Upfront Family Finding and its pivotal approach aimed at swiftly identifying both family and non-relative extended family members. This initiative stands as a beacon of hope, cultivating a culture that prioritizes kinship connections from the very outset of a child’s journey into foster care.

Listen to the new episode here: Episode 17 - Upfront Family Finding Los Angeles County DCFS.

Kin-First Culture:

Recently released bench cards

In our October 2023 blast, we released the first bench card Relative Placement Preference as part of NIPFC’s work with the Judicial Council of California (JCC), but we are excited to share both an updated copy of the Relative Placement Preference bench card as well as a second bench card on Due Diligence. These bench cards focus on the requirements of relative placement preferences as well as Due Diligence to identify, locate and notice relatives for both Child Welfare and Probation. They are a great resource for all stakeholders and especially for those advocating for foster care placement prevention; a kin-first, family-centered approach, and requirements for emergency placements.

• Disposition Hearing
• Detention Hearing & Questions to Ask about Kin

Catalyst Webinar and Dialogue Series and Kick Off Event for the Kempe Center 2024 Conference: A Call to Action to Change Child Welfare

During May to September, the Kempe Center will be hosting a 5-Part Catalyst Webinar and Dialogue Series and Kick Off to launch the 2024 Call to Action to Change Child Welfare Conference in October.

From the Kempe Center:

“Through the Catalyst Webinar and Dialogue Series, in synchrony with the Call to Action Conference, we encourage the international learning community to:

• BE CURIOUS about child welfare. More deeply understand the impacts of the child welfare system, which continues to have significant consequences on family life today.
• LEARN AND GROW to be in better service to children, youth, parents, families, professionals, service providers, and communities.
• REFLECT on how organizations may contribute to creating and upholding systemic injustices.
• TELL THE TRUTH to recognize the opportunity truth-telling affords those who work in child welfare and adjacent institutions.
• CONTEMPLATE some of the policies and structures that the Kempe Center, along with many others, saw as solutions to address child abuse and neglect in the 1960s and 1970s, and remain ever-present today.”

Check out the list of free webinars available here: Catalyst Webinar and Dialogue Series and Kick Off Event

Seneca Family of Agencies

8945 Golf Links Rd

Oakland, CA 94605

(510) 362-4988