Birth Parent National Network (BPNN)
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Promoting birth parents as leaders and strategic partners in prevention and child welfare systems reform
“The Indian Child Welfare Act’s focus on preserving family and community ties exemplifies the best practices of child welfare.
By keeping children close to their community and recognizing the importance of kinship connections, ICWA’s practices and policies ensure that children benefit from the support and cultural practices that are key to continuity in their lives.
I’m heartened by today’s Supreme Court decision, and we must recommit ourselves to upholding these principles that improve the well-being of children and families in Tribal Nations and across the United States.”
We are a national network of hundreds of birth parents and organizations working together to strengthen families, communities and systems by engaging the voices of parents.
Join Us Now
Select the application form best suited to your role: Parent, Individual Stakeholder or Organization. You will be contacted once your application has been received. All forms will appear in a pop-up window.
Click to Download 2023 BPNN Calendar
Promote Parent Voices
The Alliance’s BPNN recruits parents, individual stakeholders and organizations that work with parents to join together to promote and support the voices of parents to inform policies and practices that effect children and families. The dynamic BPNN membership consists of:
Parents who:
- Are committed to a strength-based, preventative approach for systems that interact with families
- Have high interest in engaging in policy work and drawing on their life experiences to inform and educate policymakers and other stakeholders
- Have experienced challenges and have been at risk of child welfare involvement
- Have been previously involved with the child welfare system
Organizations that:
- Are committed to identifying and supporting parents as strategic partners in policy work and system reform
- Have an interest in sharing materials and resources with their peers and colleagues nationally
BPNN Members meet four times a year by webinar for policy updates and information sharing. Also, the BPNN holds an annual virtual convening.
CARING CONVERSATIONS
Every Other Monday
1 PM PT • 2 PM MT • 3 PM CT • 4 PM ET
Children’s Trust Fund Alliance is building a better normal by bringing together the powerful strengths within the Birth Parent National Network (BPNN). The Alliance is holding Caring Conversations every other Monday to support the network and to facilitate collective wisdom. Social connections are a powerful protective factor in our lives. Through these virtual meetings, we can come together and share our experiences, successes and concerns.
Email Kara Georgi to get the link at kara.georgi@ctfalliance.org.
Resources
What Parents Say About…
The Children’s Trust Fund Alliance joined with a group of parents from the BPNN to produce these publications. They include the perspectives of parents with life experiences in using services to strengthen their families and focus on timely and important topics.
- What Parents Say About…Advancing Equity and Support for Underserved Communities
- What Parents Say About…Supporting Families to Provide a Strong Start for Their Young Children
- What Parents Say About…Building a 21st Century Community-Based Approach to Strengthening Families
- What Parents Say About…Keeping Families Together and Strong Through Prevention and Early Intervention Strategies
- What Parents Say About…Prevention Strategies that Work to Keep Families Together, Resilient and Strong
- What Parents Say About…Using the Protective Factors to Understand Substance Abuse and Recovery
- What Parents Say About…What Works in Substance Abuse Recovery to Strengthen Protective Factors in Families and Ensure Children’s Safety and Well-Being
To download one or all seven of the popular What Parents Say About… issue briefs, click on the button below:
Download ALL 7 What Parents Say About…Publications
New What Parents Say About…
What Parents Say About…Advancing Equity and Support for Underserved Communities is a compilation of more than 70 responses from parents to a Request for Information (RFI) on Methods and Leading Practices for Advancing Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through Government. The RFI was issued by the Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President.
Parents from the Alliance National Parent Partnership Council, the Birth Parent National Network, the Birth and Foster Parent Partnership and the Birth Parent Advisory Committee took their time to offer meaningful and impactful responses.
Download What Parents Say About…Advancing Equity and Support
Directory of Parent Partnership Organizations
The Parent Partnership Organizations Directory provides an overview of organizations nationwide that partner with parents to support, strengthen and sustain healthy families and communities. It was developed 5 years ago in partnership with the parent members of the BPNN. The 2022 update includes newly formed state parent advisory councils and other parenting initiatives, networks and national organizations that provide technical assistance, training and systems improvements. This is an evolving list and will be updated as new information is received. To submit new information, contact info@ctfalliance.org.
Parents Impact Policy
Family First Prevention Services Act
The Family First Prevention Services Act was passed by Congress in February 2018. This groundbreaking legislation changes the way child welfare systems can support families and provides new resources for prevention of foster care. The Alliance and our parent partners are working hard to educate policymakers charged with implementing this new legislation.
See additional information about FFPSA, including both a short and detailed summary of the legislation, an implementation timeline and the law language. Check out the resources below:
- Family First Prevention Services Act Celebrates 5 Years
- Spotlight on the Title IV-E Prevention Program and the Family First Prevention Services Act
- Why Does Prevention Matter?
- The History of Prevention: Part 1
- The History of Prevention: Part 2
- The History of Prevention: Part 3
- The History of Prevention: Part 4
- Resource Highlight: How Lived Experience Voices Helped Pass FFPSA
- Interventions that States, Tribal Nations, and U.S. Territories Plan to Include in Their Family First Prevention and Services Act Plan (Third Edition)
- Family First Prevention Services Act Overview
- Deep Dive into the Family First Prevention Services Act
- Family First Prevention Services Act Short Summary – Developed by Casey Family Programs
- From Parents, For Parents: Key Opportunities for Families – Developed by Children’s Trust Fund Alliance
Family Voices United
Family Voices United is a collaborative project among Casey Family Programs, Children’s Trust Fund Alliance, FosterClub and Generations United. We support prevention services for struggling families, support for kinship caregivers, standardized requirements for residential treatment placements and services that assist older youth aging out of care. We work closely with partners in multiple states and jurisdictions to elevate the voice and perspective of young people, parents and kinship providers. Learn more at www.familyvoicesunited.org.
Opioid Crisis
The opioid crisis is a serious problem for many families and our nation. The Alliance and our partners are speaking out about strong supports for families facing this challenge. Casey Family Programs’ CEO William C. Bell testified at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on the impact of the opioid crisis on children and families.
Events
BPNN Quarterly Webinars
July 11, 2023 – Exploring a World of Sovereignty and Inclusion Part 2
May 25, 2023 – Exploring a World of Sovereignty and Inclusion
February 16, 2023 – Celebrating Parents as Partners in the Community
BPNN Webinars Archive
2022 Webinars
February 17, 2022 – Celebrating Parent Leadership: Tools, Resources and Exciting Updates
- Introduction and Public Policy (YouTube video)
- Exciting News: Book Club Guide, Georgia PAC and Dr. Bruce Perry (YouTube video)
- National Parent Leadership Month Materials and Closing Comments (YouTube video)
- PowerPoint Slides (pdf)
- Promotional Flyer (pdf)
- Social Media Image (jpeg)
- Social Media Images Teasing Book Club Guide for Parents (jpegs)
May 17, 2022 – Bringing Parent Voice to Policy and Practice
- Zoom Recording
- Zoom Chat (txt)
- PowerPoint Slides (pdf)
- Promotional Flyer (pdf)
- Social Media Image (jpeg)
August 25, 2022 – Prioritizing Kinship Caregiver Placements: Current Policies, Practices and Challenges
October 27, 2022 – Analysis of State Definitions of Child Neglect and its Impact on Children, Youth and Families
2021 Webinars
February 25, 2021 – Celebrating National Leadership Month and Black History Month
May 27, 2021 – The Power and Impact of Parent Voice
August 26, 2021 – Impacts on Parents, Children and Communities
- Zoom Recording
- Zoom Chat (txt)
- PowerPoint Slides (pdf)
- Poll on Family First (csv)
- Poll on CAPTA (csv)
- Promotional Flyer (pdf)
- Social Media Image (jpg)
October 28, 2021 – A Focus on Fathers
2020 Webinars
May 26, 2020 – Parent Advisory Councils and Authentic Partnerships
- Video Recording
- PowerPoint
- Arizona Department of Child Safety PAC Handouts
- Arkansas Division of Family and Child Services PAC Handouts
- Georgia Division of Family and Child Services PAC Handouts
- Children’s Trust Fund Alliance Training and Technical Assistance Flyer
July 14, 2020 – Policy Discussions and Developments Affecting Children and Families
July 29, 2020 – Elevating the Impact of COVID on Parents Involved in Child Welfare
July 30, 2020 – Parent Advisory Councils and Authentic Partnerships Part 2
- Video Recording
- PowerPoint
- Arizona Department of Child Safety PAC Handouts
- Arkansas Division of Family and Child Services PAC Handouts
- Georgia Division of Family and Child Services PAC Handouts
- Children’s Trust Fund Alliance Training and Technical Assistance Flyer
October 22, 2020 – Race Talk: Facilitating Effective Conversations for Addressing Racial Justice and System Inequities
2019 Webinars
February 2019 – Celebrate National Parent Leadership Month with the BPNN and ANPPC
May 2019 – Parent Partnerships
August 2019 – Practice Changes in Sonoma County
- Video
- Meeting Agenda
- PPT Handouts
- How Birth and Foster Parent Partnerships Can Help Families Reunify
- ACYF Memoranda Subject “Engaging, empowering, and utilizing family and youth voice in all aspects of child welfare to drive case planning and system improvement.”
- Attachment A: Levels of Engagement Defined
- Attachment B: Family and Youth Involvement in the Child and Family Services Review Process (CFSR)
- Attachment C: Regional Program Managers – Children’s Bureau
October 2019 – Update on Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)
BPNN Virtual Convenings
9th Annual Virtual Convening
Supporting Families at the Front End of the Child Welfare System
The Birth Parent National Network (BPNN) 9th Annual Virtual Convening explored results when a participatory research project incorporated a partnership approach between funders, researchers, parents and youth. The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Stand Together and the Aviv Foundation funded this project to understand more about the front end of the child welfare system and the impact of child abuse investigations and case planning on children and families. BPNN parent partners with prior experience with the child welfare system interviewed 100 parents to learn more about their experiences when they were investigated for allegations of child abuse and neglect and discussed findings from the interviews conducted by Think of Us with youth whose families experienced an investigation. A thought-provoking discussion and highlighted findings gathered from parents, youth and other stakeholders about their experiences with the investigations process.
The following materials are available to download:
Previous BPNN Virtual Convenings
2022 Virtual Convening
2022 8th Annual Virtual Convening
Racism and Anti-Racism in the Social Ecology
The Birth Parent National Network (BPNN) 8th Annual Virtual Convening examined how racism shows up across the social ecology of children and their families’ lives. The June 23 convening was led by Dr. Charlyn Harper Browne and Cailin O’Connor from the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP). They explored the many ways that racism permeates our lives, and how we can take active, anti-racist steps as individuals and within systems.
The virtual convening ended with participants sharing how we, as individuals, can implement anti-racist strategies, policies and practices in our relationships, organizations, communities and society.
The following materials are available to download:
2021 Virtual Convening
STRUCTURAL RACISM AND CURRENT DAY IMPLICATIONS: How We Got Here and a Better Path Forward
December 2, 2021
2020 Virtual Convening
Creating Thriving Families and Communities in a 21st Century Child Well-Being System
December 3, 2020
Part 1 – Strengthening Families™ Protective Factors Framework: Bringing the Protective Factors to Life in Your Work
- Part 1 Recording
- Convening Slides Part 1 (PDF)
- Clipboard – Protective Factors Definitions (English)
- Clipboard – Protective Factors Definitions (Spanish)
- Training of Trainers Ripple Effect
- Bringing the Protective Factors to Life in Your Work Training Flyer
Part 2 – Communities of Hope
2019 Virtual Convening
Prevention Across the Continuum
December 3, 2019
- BPNN 2019 Virtual Convening Agenda
- BPNN 2019 Virtual Convening Presenters’ Bios
- BPNN 2019 Virtual Convening PowerPoint Slides Handout
- BPNN 2019 Virtual Convening Recording
- BPNN 2020 Recruitment Flyer
- Authentic Community Engagement to Advance Equity – Office of Health Equity, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
- What Is a Family Resource Center – National Family Support Network
- 2019 State Network Snapshots – National Family Support Network
- Family First Prevention Services Act – Healthy Families America
- Evidence of Effectiveness – Healthy Families America
- Healthy Families America Prevents Child Abuse and Neglect
- What is the Healthy Families Advantage?
- Family Voices United Recruitment Flyer
2018 Virtual Convening
Putting Families First
November 27, 2018 – Session 1
- BPNN 2018 Virtual Convening Session 1 PowerPoint Handout
- BPNN 2018 Virtual Convening Recording
- BPNN – From Parents to Parents: Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)
- Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) – Short Summary
- Birth and Foster Parent Partnership Position Statement
December 4, 2018 – Session 2
Alliance Resiliency Project
Flexible funding through the Alliance Resiliency Project helped support families and filled gaps not met by other resources. The importance of the support for concrete needs cannot be overstated. Often, these funds provided safety and security when all other options had been exhausted and the ability to help stabilize family situations has made a powerful, lasting and important difference in the lives of many families.
Caring Conversations Continue Today
Although the Alliance Resiliency Project grant period ended June 30, 2021, the Alliance is continuing to hold Caring Conversations every Monday at Noon CT for parents to share and network with one another. Register HERE to participate in the next Caring Conversation.
Alliance Resiliency Project Report
The Alliance compiled a full report on the project when the grant period ended June 30, 2021. The report – Alliance Resiliency Project: A Model for Flexible Funding to Support Families – contains lessons learned and has become a resource as states and organizations work to build a supportive approach for families they are partnering with.
Parents Talk About the Alliance Resiliency Project
Children’s Trust Fund Alliance staff asked three parents to share what the Alliance Resiliency Project meant to them. Clips from the interviews have been featured in presentations at multiple conferences and events.
Terecca DeFehr and Tiffany Csonka are regular participants in the Caring Conversations. Both were connected with a TouchPoint Parent for concrete and emotional support. Tecoria Jones is a TouchPoint Parent and shares how she grew in that role and also discusses the full project and the Caring Conversations in which she was a regular participant.
Terecaa DeFehr – Participant in Caring Conversations (14:51 minutes)
Tiffany Csonka – Participant in Caring Conversations (7:22 minutes)
Tecoria Jones – TouchPoint Parent (17:20 minutes)
