Strategies focused on the Placement Prevention:

1. BACW is conducting a National Scan of successful programs/models of services that are designed and implemented to reduce disproportionality and treatment disparities.
2. BACW has historically endorsed the value and significance of kinship care as a strengths-based resource needed to prevent African American children from being removed from their families. Focusing on the triad (child, parent and family) as a tool to prevent placement, BACW consistently advocates for subsidized guardianship and is actively updating and developing and approaches to services and training.

Strategies focused on Permanency

1. In 2007, BACW embarked on Project 20,000 Youth which began as a joint initiative with the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation. This initial work resulted in a report that speaks to the importance of community connections, supportive relationships, education and career planning and life skills preparation of youth in foster care and their efforts to leave care prepared to have positive life experiences preparation of youth in foster care and their efforts to leave care prepared to have positive life experiences. This work engaged youth directly in strategic areas of the country (Florida, Texas, and Illinois). BACW is seeking support for the implementation of the recommendations from the report.

Strategies for Workforce Improvement

1. BACW believes that a major resource needed to build the collective will for change is through the increased understanding and knowledge of the workforce providing services and overseeing child welfare programs. BACW host leadership development programs regionally around the country to increase the available pool of African American leaders in the field ,
2. Access to an organized body of information available through Assessment and Anti-racism training is currently being worked on with the support of the Racial Equity Alliance.