Family Preservation Task Force

Toni Oliver and James Freeman

This committee supports NABSW’s position statement that Black family preservation is the overarching goal of child welfare services, rather than splinter child welfare issues separately among foster care, kinship care and adoption.  Throughout the history of NABSW, several position papers have been developed that articulate the organizations position on transracial adoption, family preservation and kinship care.  For years, NABSW’s position on transracial adoption has by far generated the most interest from the media, educators, students, lawyers, and the general public. 

During the current administration, responses to requests for our “current” position on transracial adoption has been explained in the context of family preservation – noting that adoption should be the last option to be considered for African American children with the service of choice being in-home services focused on avoiding out-of-home placement.  When placement is the desired option, placement with kin, with supportive services, is the placement of choice.

Most recently the Pew Commission on Children’s Fostering Permanence Report is of serious concern.  It is very possible that this report will result in changes to the funding and legal oversight of child welfare cases.  While this report recommendation to “de-link” IVE & IV-B funds, which would conceivably provide uncapped funds for family preservation.  This committee’s position on the Pew Commission report is that the only acceptable option for reducing the disproportionality of African American children in the child welfare system lies in services directed towards avoiding foster care placement, not creating new funding sources to better serve children who after they are removed from their families and communities. 

Therefore, the Family Preservation Committee continues to champion the “reauthorization and increase of funding” for the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program (Title IV-B part 2 of the Social Security Act.); The Kinship Caregiver Support Act (S. 985); and Rejection of the proposal to reduce funding for the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG).

Committee goals accomplished in 2006 included:

• Legislative analysis of House and Senate bills related to child welfare,

• Conducting a Family Symposium focused on Kinship Care during the annual conference in Houston, and

• Continuation of the Adoption Exchange hosted annually at the National Conference.

Committee goals, activities, and forward planning for 2007 will focus on continuing to shape the NABSW position on Family Preservation and re-visiting our position on transracial adoption in the context of emerging legislation and shifts in child welfare policies and practices. A national effort will be made to incorporate families and communities in the active work of NABSW by means of: