Looking To The Future: Building Communities Through Meaningful Cross-Agency Collaboration

20th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect Closing Plenary

Publication Date: September 2, 2016
Current as of:

This plenary session focused on leveraging public-private partnerships and interagency collaboration to strengthen and preserve families, reduce placements in out-of-home care, and provide support to children and youth in foster care.

Presenters:

  • Rafael López, M.P.A., Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  • Roy Austin, Jr., J.D., Deputy Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs, Justice and Opportunity in the Domestic Policy Council
  • Eve Hill, J.D., Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice
  • Jocelyn Samuels, J.D., Director, Office for Civil Rights, HHS

The following materials were included in the session:

  • Public-Private Partnership to Strengthen Families and Improve Outcomes for Foster Youth (PDF) - Presents collaborative efforts between ACYF, Casey Family Programs, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago to reduce foster and congregate care placement, provide prevention services, and support children and teens currently in foster care
  • Interagency Commitments to Advance Equity and Opportunity for Children and Families in Child Welfare (PDF) - Announces three new initiatives from the Departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, Education, and Housing and Urban Development (Protecting the Civil Rights of Families, Improving Education and Employment Outcomes for Foster Youth & Alumni, and Housing for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care) as well as new funding opportunities in research, grants, and capacity building initiatives
  • Casey Family Programs Partnership (PDF) - Announces a new public-private partnership with the Children’s Bureau to implement the Family First Prevention Services Act. The letter describes Casey Family Programs’ commitment to providing technical assistance to states to identify and implement evidenced-based preventive services designed to prevent out-of-home placement.

The Administration on Children, Youth and Families also released a new, short video entitled "Break the Cycle." By supporting struggling families with mental health and substance abuse treatment and parent mentorship, we can break the cycle of poverty and neglect and save on the $33 billion tax dollars spent on foster care every year.

Viewers are encouraged to share this 50-second video with their networks through social media, newsletters, and on their websites.

YouTube embedded video: https://youtu.be/csCJ3guNU3g