In this impactful episode of "InnerViews," join host Ivory Bennett in a candid conversation with Mike Ostien as they delve into the vital realm of men's mental and emotional health. Explore the intersections of identity, societal expectations, and holistic well-being, as Mike shares his insights and lived experiences. From confronting trauma and grief to fostering self-care and resilience, discover empowering strategies for navigating life's challenges. Together, let's break barriers and pave the way for a healthier, more supportive society for boys and men to thrive.

Over the summer, The Imprint Weekly Podcast will feature episodes with subject matter experts to talk about several new rules and regulations issued by the Biden administration in the past year. 

This week, Ana Beltran of Generations United joins us to talk about the new federal rules around approving (and financially supporting) relatives and other loved ones to care for youth in the foster care system. We discuss the barriers that prompted the new action, what has changed, what happens next and how we’ll know if the new rule is having an impact. 

Reading Room

Separate Licensing or Approval Standards for Relative or Kinship Foster Family Homes
https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-21081.pdf

White House Announces Slate of Actions on Child Welfare
https://bit.ly/3ZFa7hl

Biden Administration Proposes Easing Foster Care Licensing Barriers for Relatives
https://bit.ly/3m7l3EF

Transforming Foster Care: What the September 2023 Rule Means
https://bit.ly/45tOUJP

A Model Standard for Approving Kinship Caregivers
https://bit.ly/3Feh2Ey

Kentucky Case Could Mean More Support for Kin Caregivers
https://bit.ly/3pQeqUI

After nearly 20 years, The Pew Charitable Trust’s Public Safety Performance Project sunsetted at the end of 2023. Ruth Rosenthal, Pew’s director for courts & communities, joins to talk about the history and lessons learned from the project and its expansion to include youth justice as a focal point.

Reading Room

Public Safety Performance Project
https://shorturl.at/9J55K

Ways to Make the Juvenile Legal System Better Serve Young People and Communities
https://shorturl.at/PYYRx

States Commit to Comprehensive Juvenile Legal System Reforms https://shorturl.at/AM09o

On this week’s Headlines edition of the podcast, we discuss a precedent-setting law passed and signed in Minnesota called the African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act, and break down the basics of new child welfare policies finalized by the Biden administration.

We also discuss a recent Imprint analysis of kinship care in New York, some legislation
that was inspired by our reporting in California, and…doggies in the courtroom? 

Reading Room

Minnesota Governor Signs Bill Raising Bar for Taking ‘African American or Disproportionately Represented’ Children Into Foster Care
https://bit.ly/3yIrSme

Senators Press Biden Administration Over Lack of Progress on Foster Care Prevention Law
https://bit.ly/4aQo93F

Florida Child Welfare Agency Wages Legal Battle, Seeks Felony Charge for Ex-Watchdog
https://bit.ly/4aNEUw3

Oregon Settles Child Welfare Civil Lawsuit; Expert Will Be Appointed to Oversee the Troubled System
https://bit.ly/3Xc0PKw

Where Kin Come First: The Imprint’s analysis of New York child welfare agencies’ reliance on family and friends reveals where children end up depends a lot on geography.
Part one. Part two.  

Civil Rights Panel Highlights Widespread Discrimination Against Black Families in New York’s Child Welfare System
https://bit.ly/3XgPKaK

Paris Hilton Joins California Lawmakers to Push for Better Protections in Youth Residential Care
https://bit.ly/4c3Htva

 ‘Welcome to our Family Courthouse,’ Facility Dogs Declare
https://bit.ly/4bC6Ggp

Embark on a transformative journey with Jas Snell on "InnerViews," as we delve into the empowering realm of healthy emotionality amidst trauma. Explore how Jas, a Black woman with lived child welfare experiences, navigates the intricacies of mental and emotional health, cultivating resilience and empowerment. Uncover the transformative power of embracing emotions, fostering well-being, and advocating for holistic healing in oneself and the community.

Content Warning: Sensitive topics will be discussed.

Perspectives on the Future of Foster Care with Serita Cox

For the past three years, iFoster has been conducting the Voice of the Foster Care Community survey to gather perspective on the system from current and former foster youth, caregivers and the child welfare workforce. 

iFoster CEO Serita Cox joins the podcast to discuss this year’s findings, which focused on gauging attitudes about solutions to some of the challenges surfaced in earlier surveys. She also discussed iFoster’s argument for moving towards a “child-first” system and what that would take, plus what her organization is working on with AmeriCorps around reaching more opportunity youth. 

Reading Room

Free online discussion: Culturally-Competent Care
https://bit.ly/3JKgj0i

Voice of the Foster Care Community
https://voiceoffostercare.org/

Voice of the Foster Care Community Survey, 2024
https://bit.ly/4aeDpqx

Opportunity Pathways: AmeriCorps’ Role in Addressing America’s Opportunity Youth Crisis
https://bit.ly/OYpathway

On this month’s headlines edition of the podcast, we discuss an upcoming appeal in Michigan around the constitutionality of some terminations of parental rights, as well as a trial starting in Oregon and a new lawsuit filed against Louisiana. 

We also cover the very steep decline in foster care entries in Texas since the passage of a law that sharpened the definition of neglect in the state, a music studio helping incarcerated youth, and a fourth path to permanency begins in Kansas. 

Reading Room

Free online discussion: Culturally-Competent Care
https://bit.ly/3JKgj0i

 McCormack’s Dissent
https://bit.ly/3THF8fC

To see oral arguments in the case In Re Bates, Minors
https://www.courts.michigan.gov/court-livestream/

Louisiana the Latest State to Be Sued over Foster Care Issues
https://bit.ly/4bpKXYx

Federal Rule: Designated Placement Requirements for LGBTQI+ Children
https://bit.ly/3JOazCF

Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act is Reintroduced
https://bit.ly/3y1CKeK

Head of Children’s Bureau Departing Biden Administration
https://bit.ly/49ZYOUd

Buffalo Recording Studio Offers Young Rappers in State Custody a Place to Express Freely
https://bit.ly/3JKhpJv

US Senate Investigation Finds ‘Systemic Failures’ to Keep Georgia Foster Kids Safe
https://bit.ly/4bmIVZe

For Kansas Foster Youth, a Fourth Path to Permanency
https://bit.ly/44BdxnK

Join host Ivory Bennett in an insightful conversation with Saunya Jones as they explore the complexities of healing from trauma, neglect, and abuse within the foster care system. From mental,  emotional, and sexual health to the well-being of Black women, they delve into topics such as generational trauma, the intersection of past trauma and foster care, and societal stigmas hindering sexual assault survivors' paths to joy and agency. Discover empowering anecdotes and practical steps towards fostering healing, empowerment, and resilience for people with lived child welfare experiences. Find Saunya Jones at www.fullylovingyourself.co.

We're sharing a  bonus episode from InnerViews! Join host Ivory Bennett on InnerViews as she delves into the complex intersections of trauma, health, and empowerment with special guest Dalyce Wilson. From the societal protection of predators to the health of Black women, Ivory and Dalyce explore topics such as sexual assault, trauma's impact on diseases like T1D, mental and emotional well-being, and the healing journey. Discover the power of forgiveness, the resilience of the human spirit, and actionable steps toward reclaiming self after trauma.

Criminologist Alex Piquero, who led the Bureau of Justice Statistics early in the Biden administration, joined us to discuss what the best available data shows about trends in youth crime before, during and after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discussed the media’s coverage of youth crime, and what Piquero’s research shows are the most effective ways to prevent and deter youth from committing crimes.

Reading Room

 Gov. Moore, Veto Maryland’s Juvenile Justice Reform Bill
https://rb.gy/ea8kcg

America; You want decent public safety? Then pay for it.
https://rb.gy/1n2w4b

‘Raise the Age’ repeal takes effect, meaning 17-year-olds will be charged as adults
https://shorturl.at/qwGRW

 National Incident-Based Reporting System
https://bjs.ojp.gov/national-incident-based-reporting-system-nibrs

National Crime Victimization Survey 
https://bjs.ojp.gov/data-collection/ncvs