Lived expertise
Lived expertise
No one understands the intricacies of the child welfare system better than those directly impacted by it. Individuals with direct experience of the child welfare system — parents, kinship caregivers, foster caregivers, and alumni of foster care — are well positioned to offer unique insights into what works, based on their personal experiences and expertise. Their perspectives, recommendations, and collaboration are integral to designing a child welfare system that keeps children safely at home whenever possible, and a child and family well-being system that ensures all families have access to equitable supports in the communities where they live.
Those who have been impacted most by the system — youth, families, and resource caregivers — should be involved at all levels of the system as: the experts of what they or their family need at the individual case level; peer mentors who offer support and guidance to others navigating the system; and expert consultants and partners in co-design, leadership, and decision-making that advance system improvement and transformation.
FEATURED RESOURCES
How can agencies and organizations prepare for authentic youth engagement?
Why should child protection agencies engage and involve all fathers?
How can we move towards systems transformation by sharing power with parents who have lived experience of child welfare?
Please explore the related resources below and at Questions from the Field to learn more about lived expertise.