Foster Care Training

In the current era of social justice movements, more people are becoming aware of the structural inequities baked into the very systems meant to provide care and support. The child welfare system is no exception, as it continues to reflect the divisions intentionally designed by colonization to maintain control over marginalized communities. As we confront systemic racism, classism, and sexism, we are challenged to understand how and why these systems were created and how they still persist in our work with youth today. This workshop will trace the roots of oppression back to colonization, examining how power, privilege, and systemic inequality were designed by intent. Participants will learn how these systems of control impact the child welfare system and the youth they serve. By gaining a deeper understanding of how colonial structures maintain these oppressive practices, social workers will be equipped to challenge and dismantle them in their everyday practice. The session will provide strategies for integrating decolonizing principles into child welfare work, encouraging social workers to reimagine a system that centers equity, justice, and liberation for all youth.