Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated Reporter

When you’re involved in foster care and the child welfare system, adding special education on top of everything else can send everybody into a spiral.   In this episode, I’m talking with Krystal from The Advocacy Circle (through Kay Altman Law Firm) about practical support for IEPs and 504 plans. We break down what these are, how parents and caregivers can get started, and how their virtual advocate tool can help you ask better questions, write better requests, and feel less lost in the process.   We cover: What the Advocacy Circle is and who its for (HINT: Parents, Caregivers, and people supporting children in special education- ESPECIALLY if you are new to the special education world)   Action Items: 1. Check out the Advocacy Circle website and information at: https://theadvocacycircle.com/ 2. If you decide to sign up, listeners of the Navigating Child Welfare podcast can use the special code: DUPREETAC10 for 10% off their subscription, at any tier. This is a one-time use code. 3. If you have questions about special education for your child or child in foster care, start asking questions and get supported today- it can make a world of difference regarding their ability to truly learn in school.

Reducing frustration in foster care starts with the stuff we don’t always name: trust, roles, and real partnership across the family and child welfare system.   In this episode, I share a story from a major project where we were stuck waiting on pieces outside our control. The shift was simple: I prepared everything I could control so we were ready the moment the missing pieces landed. That same mindset applies to foster care. There are so many moving parts, and sometimes you don’t even know what’s missing until the work slows down.   I’m talking about how to prepare for partnership using the 360º workshop so you have more clarity, balance, and trust internally and with external partners.   Action Items - Take the 360º Assessment - it takes about 5 minutes to complete and it can be found at https://syncingchildwelfare.com/360o-assessment/. - Email info@syncingchildwelfare.com to schedule a time to discuss a 360º workshop for your team today. - Join the Newsletter to stay updated on the SYNCing Child Welfare Program: HERE

Beauty and harm can coexist in our history, and healing starts with honest reflection and shared action. This episode focuses centers on healing from racial trauma and why honest history is essential to repair. She traces how race has shaped American law and memory, then connects that history to daily practice in the family and child welfare system. From the Declaration and Constitution to the Civil Rights Amendments, from birthright citizenship to repatriation and guest worker policies, and from post-emancipation child taking to the work of the Freedmen’s Bureau, Shanelle names patterns of othering and invites listeners to build systems that protect dignity and equity. You are invited to check out Skin Deep, the History of Child Welfare by Race, and Going Deep Together for organizations that want structured conversations that lead to change at www.skindeepcw.com.

Sometimes our help looks good on paper but doesn’t help in practice. In this episode, Shanelle names “fake help,” shows how to co-create real solutions with the people affected, and explains where 360° Family and Child Welfare Workshops solves a specific problem by strengthening partnerships and prepares a community for service in the family and child welfare system. You will learn: What “fake help” is and how to stop creating extra work for families and staff. Three common blockers: fixing problems without the people affected, over-engineering solutions, and over-automating connection. The 360º Workshop unlocks progress within family and child welfare agencies to solve a concrete cross-agency issue, rebuild working relationships, or to prepare partners for new responsibilities or projects.   Take the SYNCing Child Welfare 360º Assessment today to partner effectively: www.syncingchildwelfare.com & follow up with a workshop for your organization!

Shanelle and guest Steve Gonyea wrap up their conversation by digging into why many agency-run “support groups” have good intentions, but miss the mark, especially when supervisors or case managers are in the room. Caregivers, parents, and youth will not share real concerns when the people who evaluate them are listening, so the space is not actually supportive. The conversation covers what new and veteran caregivers really need, which are: timely answers, plain language guidance, and safe places to learn how to navigate court, school, medication questions, and after-hours crises.   Shanelle also shares monthly webinar plans, the idea of training after the train wreck, and invites listeners to the 360º Assessment for partners in the family and child welfare system.   Key takeaways   Support groups must be peer-led or community-hosted with psychological safety, otherwise honest feedback will not surface.   Practical help beats platitudes, even a fast “no” is better than silence when a caregiver is in crisis.   Make court understandable and accessible for youth and caregivers, name what to wear, how to address the judge, and how to share information.   Partner across the ecosystem, families need timely answers, workers need realistic roles, volunteers need clear rules.   Take the SYNCing Child Welfare 360º Assessment today to partner effectively: www.syncingchildwelfare.com!   Steve Gonyea, Co Host, Finding Common Ground Podcast website: https://www.fcgadvocacy.org/about-steve-gonyea  Sensor Barn solution: A vibrant, calming haven for kids and adults with sensory needs (Spectrum News). Email: steve_gonyea@yahoo.com    

Shanelle sits down with advocate and long-time therapeutic foster parent Steve Goneya to talk about what is not working and what communities can build right now. Steve has welcomed 178 children through respite and high-needs care, fought for supports for high health needs children, and learned the hard truth about bureaucracy, turnover, and waitlists. Instead of waiting, he built solutions: an Autism Barn that became a community hub and an Ability Bus model that partners with veterans to get youth and adults with disabilities to appointments and life-giving activities when agencies do not run nights or weekends. This is part one of the conversation. Links to Steve’s projects and Shanelle’s 360º Assessment are in the show notes. You will hear How years in family care and therapeutic foster care shaped Steve’s approach to high-needs placements Why adoption decisions must consider lifelong supports and eligibility, and how delays and paperwork keep youth waiting. Community solutions that work now: a private Autism Barn that became a regional resource and an Ability Bus run with veterans that agencies could not replicate due to after-hours gaps. Why Steve is organizing storytellers and aged-out youth, meeting legislators, and developing a national transportation initiative with a film partner to seed similar models in other states. Key takeaways Build the environment you wish existed. Small, concrete projects can scale when partners see them working. Accountability and support are both true. Families need timely decisions and workers need realistic caseloads and clear roles. Community partners can move faster than bureaucracy. Veterans, faith groups, and local donors can fill critical gaps. Steve Gonyea, Co‑Host, Finding Common Ground Podcast website: https://www.fcgadvocacy.org/about-steve-gonyea Sensor Barn solution: A vibrant, calming haven for kids and adults with sensory needs (Spectrum News). Email: steve_gonyea@yahoo.com Take the 360º Assessment today to partner effectively: www.syncingchildwelfare.com

What does partnership and collaboration look like in your organization? Often times we focus solely on our role and job- but in the family and child welfare system all the systems matter.   The 360º Assessment is HERE! Take it today to understand…   -Recognize where you fit on the 360º family and child welfare map -Determine how you work with other partners -Gauge how supported or overwhelmed you feel -Access your organization’s readiness to partner and build trust with families   Listeners learn why beginning at the beginning matters, how influence extends beyond agencies that work on cases 90 percent of the time, and how better partnership reduces harm and restores continuity for families.   Who this helps Caseworkers, supervisors, attorneys, CASA and GAL, foster and kin caregivers, school and healthcare partners, faith and community leaders, mandated reporters, and anyone who influences decisions in the family and child welfare system.   Action Items - Take the 360º Assessment - it takes about 5 minutes to complete and it can be found at https://syncingchildwelfare.com/360o-assessment/. - Join the Newsletter to stay updated on the SYNCing Child Welfare Program: HERE

Episode summary A caseworker’s anonymous post about hard relationships with foster parents sparks a real conversation about communication, role clarity, and burnout. Shanelle explains why case workers (& no one!) cannot hold everything at once, how conflicting goals show up, and what it takes to align teams so families move forward. She also introduces the SYNCing Child Welfare approach, including a free 360 assessment, a 360 workshop that maps ten connected systems, and monthly 360 webinars, all designed to help staff, caregivers, and volunteers reclaim time and peace of mind in the family and child welfare system. You will learn: Why delayed responses and unclear roles strain foster parent relationships, and how to reset expectations early. How to plan for partnership and also plan for pushback, since disagreement is guaranteed. Ways to keep the team aligned when the goal is reunification, including how to surface real safety concerns without drowning in noise. What the 360 assessment, 360 workshop, and 360 webinars cover, and how they support retention, partnership, and trust with families.   Program invite You are personally invited to join an online session to learn more. Shanelle is hosting two online SYNCing Child Welfare preview sessions in early 2026: Wednesday, January 7 (9:00–9:45 a.m. CT) REGISTER HERE or Thursday, January 8 (4:00–4:45 p.m. CT) REGISTER HERE. Stay updated on the latest SYNCING Child Welfare updates by joining the newsletter HERE. 

Families need information fast, in plain language, and backed by real partnerships. In this episode of Navigating Child Welfare Shanelle shares what is coming in 2026 and how SYNCing Child Welfare will help parents, foster and kinship caregivers, and partners move through the family and child welfare system with less confusion and more confidence. She discusses prevention services that keep families out of foster care, parent education that clarifies court and case plans, and cross-system collaboration that makes case management sustainable. She also discusses the upcoming 360º workshop for workers and volunteers and the 360º webinar series for parents and partners. Highlights and takeaways Information creates transformation, then families can take the next step toward reunification or another stable plan Programs built in isolation stall, partnerships move cases forward Plan for conflict in collaborations and use shared values plus clear responsibilities to stay aligned Equity is daily work and should be baked into decisions, timelines, and access 🎧 Listen now 🗓️ Join a SYNC info session in January 2026. You are personally invited to join an online session to learn more. Shanelle is hosting two online SYNCing Child Welfare preview sessions in early 2026: Wednesday, January 7 (9:00–9:45 a.m. CT) REGISTER HERE or Thursday, January 8 (4:00–4:45 p.m. CT) REGISTER HERE. Stay updated on the latest SYNCING Child Welfare updates by joining the newsletter HERE. 

Episode summary Hair isn’t “extra.” For many youth in foster care, it’s identity, culture, memory and a daily signal of dignity. Shanelle talks with Aisha Walker, founder of The Walker Foundation, about why a lack of hair care can trigger bullying, low self-esteem, “hair depression” and how culturally competent care helps children feel connected and confident. You’ll hear concrete tips for foster/kin caregivers, how bonding happens in everyday routines, and the Walker Foundation’s programs from free Hair Fairs to school curricula and in-home support. Shanelle also invites listeners to early-2026 preview sessions for SYNCing Child Welfare.   You’ll hear about Why hair care is part of basic hygiene, identity, and culture, not a luxury. Common pain points: No appropriate products, daily washing myths, texture confusion, bullying, and confidence hits. Bonding through care: Routines, and conversations that build trust and belonging. Walker Foundation programs: Free hair services “Hair Fairs,” Hair Talk Academy (12-week curriculum), Crown Kings (barber mentoring), hospital services, custom wigs, and monthly memberships (including in-home stylists). Quick tips for caregivers (any skill level) Learn the basics first: proper wash cadence, detangling, and products by texture; styles can come later. Don’t assume a child “just needs a hairstyle.” Ask: “What would help you feel confident and cared for today?” Advocate at school/activities for culturally responsive grooming policies and protective styles. Make it bonding time: consistent routines build trust and a sense of being known. Resource spotlight The Walker Foundation contact information: Facebook & Instagram- TheWalkerFoundationKC and Website- www.thewalkerfoundation.org Email: info@thewalkerfoundation.org Program invite You are personally invited to join an online session to learn more. Shanelle is hosting two online SYNCing Child Welfare preview sessions in early 2026: Wednesday, January 7 (9:00–9:45 a.m. CT) REGISTER HERE or Thursday, January 8 (4:00–4:45 p.m. CT) REGISTER HERE. • • Stay updated on the latest SYNCING Child Welfare updates by joining the newsletter HERE. 

Episode summary We often describe foster care and CPS as broken—and then we work like nothing can change. In this episode, Shanelle challenges that reflex and asks a harder question: Do you even think better is possible? Drawing on a college-days story (learning to do things differently) and real child welfare dynamics, she outlines what families, volunteers, workers, and mandated reporters actually need: clarity, connection, and a network of support. She introduces SYNCing Child Welfare, a national program built to simplify navigation, reduce confusion, and strengthen cross-system partnerships. You’ll hear about Why calling foster care/CPS “broken” can lock us into the same trainings, same process, same results. How belief → behavior: if we believe change is possible, we move differently. What families need (clarity), volunteers need (connection), and workers need (support)—and how blame & shame undercut all three. The role of mandated reporters and partners in reducing confusion and building trust with families. SYNCing Child Welfare: a 360° framework with tools for conflict navigation, partnership building, and monthly Q&A to surface real questions. You are personally invited to join an online session to learn more. Shanelle is hosting two online SYNCing Child Welfare preview sessions in early 2026: Wednesday, January 7 (9:00–9:45 a.m. CT) REGISTER HERE or Thursday, January 8 (4:00–4:45 p.m. CT) REGISTER HERE. Stay updated on the latest SYNCING Child Welfare updates by joining the newsletter HERE. 

Shanelle has been listening deeply to parents, caregivers, youth, caseworkers, judges, and faith/community partners. The stories are hard: reports not read, workers demeaned, youth uninformed, and children disoriented by sudden moves. This episode names those triggers and charts a path toward being more connected so people aren’t navigating foster care alone. Shanelle also invites listeners to a 2026 preview of the SYNCing Child Welfare course (Simplifying Your Navigation and Confusion in Child Welfare).  What you’ll hear Why foster care...even when necessary, is inherently hard, and how system behavior can make it harder. Real stories: foster parent reports ignored; caseworkers shamed; older youth told to skip court; youth who don’t even know where they are. The “middle of the movie” effect: families and new workers thrown into complex culture and acronyms with no translation.  A better way: make help visible, define roles, and connect people to the right person in each system. You are personally invited to join an online session to learn more. Shanelle is hosting two online SYNCing Child Welfare preview sessions in early 2026: Wednesday, January 7 (9:00–9:45 a.m. CT) REGISTER HERE or Thursday, January 8 (4:00–4:45 p.m. CT) REGISTER HERE. Stay updated on the latest SYNCING Child Welfare updates by joining the newsletter HERE. 

Faith + Foster Care Child welfare can feel complicated and confusing—but families should never be asked to navigate it alone. In this episode of Navigating Child Welfare, I share how faith, prevention, and community supports surround families before, during, and after system involvement. We talk about opening our eyes (2 Kings 6) to the help already around us, reducing shame, and building natural supports that last when paid services end. We cover: Why “do it by yourself” is unsafe for families and for anyone. Prevention + support: the often-missed pillars that keep families stable. How churches and communities act as real-world prevention and long-term support. Practical next step: list 3–5 natural supports and make a warm connection this week. Visit our website to learn more and be sure to sign up for the upcoming SYNCing Child Welfare launch in 2026! https://syncingchildwelfare.com/ #ChildWelfare #FosterCare #SocialWork #FaithInAction #Prevention #Kinship #CommunityCare #SystemsChange

Host Shanelle Dupree makes the case that no one can (or should) do this work alone. Drawing on courtroom moments and frontline advocacy, she surfaces the barriers to connecting well, like not understanding the multiple systems families must navigate and offers practical ways to help parents, youth, staff, and volunteers participate fully. Shanelle also introduces Syncing Child Welfare (SYNC), a 360-degree perspective designed to align partners across the ten connected systems and provide practical tools, questions, and worksheets.   You’ll hear about Why expecting families to “figure it out alone” is unrealistic and harmful. How not knowing the other systems (plural) becomes a barrier for helpers and families. The difference between having answers and knowing who to connect people to. 📌 Get SYNC updates here: https://form.jotform.com/253052608129050   #childwelfare #fostercare #socialwork #traumainformed #familypartnership #systemschange

Episode summary  In this episode of Navigating Child Welfare, host Shanelle Dupree makes the case for a third “C” that changes outcomes: connected. Through a story about attending a presentation in Spanish, Shanelle shares how knowing the language can help make you feel connected. Shanelle shows how child welfare jargon and acronyms quietly exclude parents, youth, volunteers, and even new staff. Her fix is simple and powerful: translate the work. Provide glossaries, slow down for definitions, and create shared language so people can participate fully in decisions that shape their families and futures. You’ll hear about Why “I don’t speak this language” is the hidden barrier in child welfare, even when everyone is in the same room. Practical ways to translate the system: court-approved glossaries, plain-speech explanations, and who/what/why/by-when summaries. How understanding increases power, participation, and better questions from families and partners. Interested in staying updated on the Simplifying Your Navigation and Confusion in Child Welfare program? Click the link HERE. #ChildWelfare #FosterCare #SocialWork #FamilyFirst #TraumaInformed #PlainLanguage #CommunityEngagement #SystemsChange

Episode 14 Description: Child welfare is often confusing and complicated…so how do we get to connected? In this episode, Shanelle Dupree names the Three C’s, unpacks a heavy multi-system case, names a issue that can keeps us stuck, and shares a first look at Syncing Child Welfare (SYNC), a new way to simplify systems and connect communities.   🎧 Listen now: From Confusion to Connection: The Three C’s of Child Welfare 🔁 Try it: Start your next staffing by asking, “Which C are we in?” 📌 Get SYNC updates here: https://form.jotform.com/253052608129050

🎙️ “We can’t change outcomes until we change how we think.” -Kenisha Coon This is one of the gems dropped by our guest, Kenisha Coon. In this episode of The Skin Deep Podcast, host Shanelle Dupree sits down with Kenisha Coon, a child welfare consultant, equity leader, and soon to be Ph.D., who brings both personal and professional insight to transforming the child welfare system. Kenisha shares her powerful story of growing up in an abusive household under CPS supervision but never being removed.  This lived experience has shaped her passion for system reform. She reflects on the overlooked stories of children in “failed preservation” situations and how those experiences have fueled her mission to dismantle systemic barriers within child welfare. This episode will ignite reforms you experience and witness within the system as well. What are the challenges that you see? Fill out the form HERE to share your perspective. Check out Kenisha’s book “And Then She Persisted” HERE. Connect with Kenisha at www.kenishacoon.com for consulting opportunities or on social media on Facebook (Kenisha Coon), LinkedIn (Kenisha Coon), or IG (Kcoon9288)

Episode 12 Description: This week’s episode discusses the power of getting our experiences regarding equity out of head. A tool I am so excited to introduce to the Skin DEEP community is the DEEP Observations Journal. It is a place to write the equity moments you encounter AND ask the next question- now what? Feelings do not equal facts, so it’s important to get “it” out of our head to determine - what do I do with this? Our end goal is emotional intelligence as we navigate equity moments. Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our newsletter, HERE. Step 2: Sign up for Going DEEP Coaching with Shanelle Dupree HERE. Step 3: Sign up for the Skin DEEP online course HERE.  The promo code for the Skin DEEP online course is PODCAST. Step 4: Sign your organization up for the Going DEEP Together Skin DEEP Workshop HERE.

Episode 11 Description: This week’s episode discusses power within the child welfare system. People within the system have power- but with power needs to come an acknowledgement of the power and the proper use of it. We are discussing case workers, CASA’s, and Foster Parent’s power in the child welfare system. From your perspective, who has the power AND how? How can people in power understand the influence they have so they are hyper aware of this dynamic? Fill out the form below to share your thoughts on who has power within the child welfare system using the link HERE. Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our newsletter, HERE. Step 2: Sign up for Going DEEP Coaching with Shanelle Dupree HERE. Step 3: Sign up for the Skin DEEP online course HERE.  The promo code for the Skin DEEP online course is PODCAST. Step 4: Sign your organization up for the Going DEEP Together Skin DEEP Workshop HERE.

Episode 10 Description: Kinship families or keeping kids is an age old practice for many communities- and it’s making a comeback. This is the thing- it was a way of life for many families when situations didn’t go as planned. Now we recognize the benefits for everyone involved, keeping children with people who know, love, and whom they trust- it truly is a win win situation. However, there needs to be more support for these families, because they are providing an invaluable service.  Check out the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network resource and tip page on improving support for kinship/grandfamilies: https://www.gksnetwork.org/resources/strategies-for-tanf/?#gf_1   Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our newsletter, HERE. Step 2: Sign up for Going DEEP Coaching with Shanelle Dupree HERE. Step 3: Sign up for the Skin DEEP online course HERE.  The promo code for the Skin DEEP online course is PODCAST. Step 4: Sign your organization up for the Going DEEP Together Skin DEEP Workshop HERE.