Building Parent Leadership and Power to Support Faster, Lasting Reunification and Prevent System Involvement

Webinar Description

Rise is an NYC-based advocacy organization led by parents impacted by the family policing system. We envision communities that are free from injustice, family policing and separation. We imagine a society that cultivates new ways of preventing and addressing harm and ensures that all families have what they need to thrive. Rise presenters will provide an overview of recent updates to our leadership, mission and programs—including our approaches to building parent leadership and shifting power to impacted parents and communities. Our strategies involve advocating for investment in families and communities and building peer support networks. 

This webinar introduces the Rise CORE Program, which equips Parent Advocates with knowledge, tools and resources to support parents with:

•  navigating the system to reunify more quickly
•  navigating the trauma and emotions of their case
•  strengthening self-advocacy skills
•  building a support network and connections to resources—so that, once families are reconnected, they do not re-enter the system

Many parents at Rise experience multiple investigations and cases. An important part of reunification is changing societal conditions so that all families can access resources and support and are not subjected to continuous system involvement. Rise presenters highlight current advocacy priorities—establishing universal child care, addressing mandated reporting and creating community-led mental health supports. Rise presenters also share their vision for a peer network to support parents without state intervention; reduce stress, trauma and isolation; and strengthen healing, care, connectedness and joy. 

The webinar closes with questions and answers. 

Presenters

• Jeanette Vega Brown, Co-Executive Director

• Teresa Marrero, Parent Advocate Training Coordinator

• Naashia B., Parent Organizer 

All of the Rise presenters are parents impacted by the family policing system.

Resources

• PowerPoint Presentation

  How Rise is Working to Support Faster Family Reunification—And Shrink the Foster System
  Interview with Rise Co-Executive Director Jeanette Vega Brown, by Keyna Franklin, Rise Assistant Editor.
  

• Rise Visiting TIPS and Service Planning TIPS
  Rise visiting and service planning TIPS handouts offer parents clear information and peer guidance to navigate their cases. 

• United with Parents: Reunification Collaborative Final Report
  Rise and Center for the Study of Social Policy (2021)

• An Unavoidable System: The Harms of Family Policing and Parents’ Vision for Investing in Community Care (2021)

• Someone to Turn To: A Vision for Creating Networks of Parent Peer Care  (2021)

• Target Conditions, Not Families
  Parents call on NYC’s next mayor and city council to reverse our city’s over-investment in family policing and under-investment in communities (2021)
• Toolkit for Transformation: A toolkit created by parent advocates around the world to help others learn from their experiences.
• Connect with Rise: Sign up for the Rise email newsletter and connect with Rise on social media @ReadRiseMag