about us
A STRONG VOICE, A POWERFUL FORCE
As a local affiliate of the National Black Administrators in Child Welfare, the Black Administrators in Child Welfare of Illinois (BACW-I) was formed and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2014. The Chapter was established to promote the development of African American leaders, support national and state child welfare and social justice efforts. BACW-I is committed to working in collaboration with state and local human service agencies to reduce disproportionality and address disparate treatment by strengthening the development of families of color. Our intent is to implement lasting changes and cultivate leadership in the child welfare system in Illinois. Our key priorities are, but not limited to, leadership preparedness, leadership succession, focus on prevention, kinship care, education, family, community engagement, economic growth and development, mental health and juvenile justice. Through collaboratives/partnerships, we will address such disparities and issues of disproportionality through establishing various programs specific to educating professionals and the community. Such programs will provide resources that will empower the community to address issues that cause children to remain in substitute care, and advocate for reunification. Educational and developmental programs will be established to enhance the skills of child welfare professionals and students, enabling them to serve on an administrative level.
MISSION
The mission of the BACW of Illinois LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE is to ensure a pipeline of equipped future
leaders who are prepared to abolish racist practices and lead with re-imagined visions of more inclusive and diverse anti-racist child welfare practices.
OUR LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE GOALS
The BACW Child Welfare Leadership Institute will recruit African American supervisors and front line staff (investigators and case managers) employed in public and private agencies on the southside of Chicago. The project will address structural racism using data-driven approaches to identify key areas of racial disparities in child welfare outcomes. Such disparities often result in the disruption of families - children placed in foster care. The outcomes will be examined using a historical framework and an African-centered lens. The Institute would develop an African-centered curriculum that addresses preventive and proactive child welfare strategies aimed at family preservation, and decrease the overrepresentation of children of color languishing in the foster care system. The African centered competency-based training will consist of modules, webinars and networking with leading African American child welfare experts to inform existing practices through a race informed lens. Participants will be matched with African American child welfare mentors to discuss and implement race-informed strategies that promotes permanency, family’s strengths, and child safety.
Be a part of the Black Administrators in Child Welfare of Illinois Institute – advancing the self-efficacy that African American leaders require when engaging with dominant culture institutions such as Child Welfare.
The BACW-I has begun the selection process for the Leadership Institute, opening up an opportunity for African American child welfare leaders to be a part of a national strategy that is committed to transforming the child welfare system.
The BACW-I has cultivated a reputation of innovation and dedication in the
child welfare space and is excited to begin this work!
What is the BACW-I Child Welfare Leadership Institute?
The BACW-I Leadership Institute is an opportunity to incubate the
experiences, knowledge, wisdom, and ideas required to build a system
driven by race-equity. This requires a deliberate investment in
recruiting, developing, mentoring and sponsoring African American
leaders.
Why is the BACW-I Child Welfare Leadership Institute needed?
The current child welfare situation in the United States is not acceptable
for children of color. We must ensure the Black experience becomes a
part of the awareness, understanding and service delivery of child
welfare agencies throughout the nation to better serve Black children
and families in a manner that enriches their lives.
How is the BACW-I Child Welfare Leadership Institute organized?
Group sessions, as well as dedicated mentors are designed to meet your specific needs, answer your specific questions, and heighten your specific leadership style. This is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Who should attend the BACW-I Child Welfare Leadership Institute?
You are an African-American innovative leader looking to become a change agent, contributing to transforming the system of child welfare. The Child Welfare Leadership Institute is designed to help you set and reach your goals in a space where you can feel safe in your authentic selves. African-American men and women with at least seven years of work experience in corporate, nonprofit, government or entrepreneurial sectors within our community are encouraged to apply.
We know program, practice and policy improvements to reduce the over-representation of African American children and families in the child welfare system requires LEADERSHIP within child welfare agencies.
The Black Administrators in Child Welfare of Illinois Leadership Institute selection process is competitive. Ask yourself……
Are you committed to both personal and professional growth? This includes a sense of readiness to jump into the learning and an investment of your time and
energy to get the most out of the Black Administrators in Child Welfare of Illinois Leadership Institute.
Are you committed to immersive learning? This means you are ready to apply the learning in real time.
Are you committed to transforming the child welfare sector? This includes a strong intention to make a career in the field.
Are you committed to being a child welfare leader? This means you are deliberately looking for ways to advance your own career as well as the careers of other African American leaders.
Are you committed to advocating for race-equity in child welfare? This means you recognize that your role goes past a job description and includes advocacy work for African American families.
What to Expect……
Real Talk:
Candid, open and honest conversation without fear of judgment.
Sponsorship:
Scheduled communication with an identified advocate for you in the workplace.
Mentoring:
One-on-one sessions with an experienced child welfare leader. Regular touchpoints will be established to support the learning sessions.
Capstone Group Project:
Collaboration with other leaders to apply your learning and development.
Engagement with the BACW-I:
Learn about the how the governance of the BACW-I is transforming child welfare and how you can be part of the movement.
BACW – I Institute Community:
Any opportunity to become part of an exclusive leadership community.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
The Black Administrators in Child Welfare course outline was developed by nationally recognized African American leaders in child welfare. The sessions have been carefully curated to address multiple dimensions in child welfare from both a historic and contemporary lens. Note, these sessions are compatible with the child welfare administrative training.
DAY ONE-SEPTEMBER 14, 2022: Opening of Black Administrators in Child Welfare of Illinois Leadership Institute: Welcome and Overview
DAY TWO- SEPTEMBER 21, 2022: Review of Innovative Data Systems, Finance: Creative and Flexible
DAY THREE – SEPTEMBER 28, 2022: Family and Community Engagement, Kinship Services-Effective and Appropriate Use
DAY FOUR- OCTOBER 5, 2022: Youth: Informed Practices, Education: Collaboration and Partnerships
DAY FIVE- OCTOBER 12, 2022: Health: Thriving Children, Youth, and Families, Legal Services- Culturally Informed and Competent
DAY SIX – OCTOBER 20, 2022: Leadership: Culturally Competent, Program: Policies, Practices, Review, and Analysis
For Additional Information Contact:
info@bacwofillinois.org; jbright@bacwofillinois.org
The BACW-I Leadership Institute is made possible by the support of:
Northwestern University Neighborhood and Community Relations and National Black Administrators in Child Welfare
annual report 2023
Black Administrators in Child Welfare of Illinois
Established January 28, 2014
Bacw.il2014@gmail.com
Bacwofillinois.gov
A Strong VOICE, A Powerful FORCE
ANNUAL REPORT 2023
Black Administrators in Child Welfare of Illinois
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Vision
2023 Year at A Glance
Collaborative Events
BACW-I Scholarship
Legislative Updates
Professional Development
Annual Fundraiser
Partnerships
Financial Summary
2024 Operational Projections
MISSION
The Black Administrators in Child Welfare of Illinois (BACW-I) is dedicated to the development of African American leaders for the purpose of empowering and protecting the rights of children and families.
VISION
The Black Administrators in Child Welfare of Illinois (BACW-I) is committed to working in collaboration with state and local human service agencies to reduce disproportionality and address disparate treatment by strengthening the development of families of color. Our intent is to implement lasting changes that cultivate leadership in the child welfare system.
2023 Year-At-A-Glance
The 2023 year was a very defining year for Black Administrators in Child Welfare of Illinois. We continued to focus on our commitment to collaborate with community and human service agencies, addressing ongoing issues that impact families of color. Our priority this year dealt with child welfare leadership professional development, sustaining partnerships that support our endeavors of developing projects, and fundraising.
Collaborative Events
Fiscal Year 2023 began with a continued focus on activities, tasks and planning of programs and initiatives that would enhance community growth and address racial disparities and civic development. In March of this year, BACW-I participated in a Restorative Justice Symposium entitled: The Wraparound Village “On the Way to Solutions” sponsored by Sankofa Safe Child Initiative. In June BACW-I participated in the Annual Institute Day: Fatherhood is Essential: Relationship Building and Effective Mentoring to Promote Reunification of Families. The Institute was sponsored by the IDCFS African American Advisory Council.
BACW Illinois Addie Hudson Scholarship
A scholarship fund was established in 2020 in memory of one of our Charter founding members, Addie Hudson and in partnership with Tougaloo College Alumni Association. The 2023 Addie Hudson Scholarship was awarded to Sherbia Green of Jackson, Mississippi. Ms. Green is a 2023 graduate of Tougaloo College with a BA Degree in Child Development. She’s attending Louisiana State University in Shreveport to obtain her Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership.
Illinois Legislative Black Caucus
The Black Administrators in Child Welfare of Illinois continue to support the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus by advocating for changes in policies that impact families of color in Illinois. We continue to support legislation to reform four key pillars of the Illinois government: criminal justice, education and workforce development, economic access, equity, and opportunity.
Professional Development
BACW-I Child Welfare Leadership Institute for Current and Emerging African American Child Welfare Leaders
BACW – I continued to sponsor and implement our annual community - based African American Child Welfare Leadership Institute in September 2023. The Institute was held in Central Illinois in collaboration with Illinois State University Office of Equity and Inclusion. Nine child welfare professionals in Central Illinois were provided a platform for capacity building needed for child welfare practice through a racial equity lens. The goal of the Institute was to increase participants’ understanding and practice of racial equity inclusion and fairness in the provision of services to children and families. Our priority is to provide information that will support an increase in the number of African American leaders in the child welfare system throughout Illinois. The curriculum was based on the Racial Equity Strategy Areas developed by the National Board of Black Administrators in Child Welfare. The BACW-I Child Welfare Leadership Institute was composed of ten sessions commencing for five weeks with two sessions each week. Presenters in the field of Child Welfare, Health, Education, and Juvenile Justice, provided the cohort an opportunity to incubate their experiences, knowledge, wisdom, and ideas required to build a system driven by race-equity.
BACW-I Annual Fundraiser
In September 2023, BACW-I sponsored the first annual fundraiser entitled: “A Reunion for: DCFS & Child Welfare Private Agencies’ Retirees & Current Employees.” The fundraiser gave child welfare professionals throughout the state an opportunity to reunite, fellowship, and support future programs and scholarships. BACW-I also held an awards ceremony during the fundraiser honoring the following community and child welfare leaders in Illinois:
Congressman Danny K. Davis-recipient of the “Trailblazer of Change Award, Glenne Gervais, MSW,LCSW – recipient of the “Visionary Leader in Human Services Award”, Donald J. Dew, MSW,ACSW – recipient of the “Community Impact Legacy Award”
Partnerships
- Chicago Association of Black Social Workers
- Illinois Department of Children and Family Services – African American Advisory Council
- Permanency Enhancement Program
- People United to Save Humanity (PUSH Coalition)
- Sankofa Safe Child Initiative
- Lakeside Community Committee
- Illinois State University-Office of Equity and Inclusion
Financial Summary
Black Administrators in Child Welfare of Illinois maintains a non-profit status. All operational funds are secured from membership dues and donations. Grant funds received are earmarked toward special projects, programs, and events.
2023 Operational Projections
To accomplish the overarching goals of community and professional development, the Black Administrators in Child Welfare of Illinois (B.A.C.W.-I) will continue planning and implementing annual programs and activities, including support from community and professional partners in the following areas: Child Welfare Enhancements, Professional Leadership Development, Skill Building, Social Justice, Community Development, and Economic Empowerment.