Foster Care Training

Online Class

White supremacy is the foundation of the systems and structures upon which the United States was built and continues to be upheld in systems like child welfare, in our organizations’ work culture, as well as individually, in ourselves. People of color and white people have all In this training, participants will begin with unpacking the oppressive factors that ensue in the child welfare system, examining everything that influences work with system-involved children, youth and families. On the organizational level, a clearer understanding of what “white supremacy culture” looks like within work cultures will unveil behaviors that we have taken for granted and equate to “professionalism”. The article written by Tema Okun and many others will be used as a reference point to examine these elements of white supremacy culture. “ Because we all live in a white supremacy culture, these characteristics show up in the attitudes and behaviors of all of us – people of color and white people. Therefore, these attitudes and behaviors can show up in any group or organization, whether it is white-led or predominantly white or people of color-led or predominantly people of color.” -Tema Okun, White Supremacy Culture

Participants will have the opportunity to do some self-exploration on ways in which they have been socialized and have “caught” messages about what it means to be productive and successful in this white supremacist culture that they were raised in. The training will also examine how understanding “world views” can shed light on culturally different ways and approaches to interpersonal and community dynamics. Participants will come away with tools and practices for engaging in effective conversations across differences.