It is not a broken system, it is a system that needs to be broken: the upEND movement to abolish the child welfare system
Alan J. Dettlaff, Kristen Weber, Maya Pendleton, Reiko Boyd, Bill Bettencourt, Leonard Burton
Abstract
The child welfare system disproportionately harms Black children and families through systemic over-surveillance, over-involvement, and the resulting adverse outcomes associated with foster care. Ending this harm will only be achieved when the forcible surveillance and separation of children from their parents is no longer viewed as an acceptable form of intervention. This paper describes the upEND movement, a collaborative movement aimed at abolishing the child welfare system as we know it and reimagining how we as a society support child, family, and community safety and well-being.
Topics & Concepts
Welfare systemHarmWelfareIntervention (counseling)PsychologyMedicinePolitical scienceNursingSocial psychologyLawHomelessness and Social IssuesChild Welfare and AdoptionChild Abuse and Trauma