Our interviewees are child welfare advocates at the national level and have experience advocating for better policies and services to improve child welfare outcomes. They shared their perspective with insights on child welfare finance reform and the challenges of finding common ground amongst myriad players, addressing cost neutrality, building the case with evidence-based practices, and supporting states in raising their voices for change.
These are excerpts from the interviews and are not meant to capture the detailed thinking and research of each expert. We encourage you to learn more by exploring other works by these national leaders on child welfare finance reform.
An Interview with Bryan Samuels
Bryan Samuels is the Executive Director of Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago. Chapin Hall is a research and policy center focused on improving the well-being of vulnerable children, youth families and their communities. Prior to his current position, Samuels was the Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He has spent his career integrating empirical evidence into public policy and service delivery to improve the well-being of children.
An Interview with Joan Smith
Joan Smith is the Managing Director for Systems Improvement Services at Casey Family Programs and is responsible for the overall handling of National Partnerships, Data Advocacy and Systems Improvement operations. In addition, she is currently leading the Casey efforts to support states and tribes in their consideration and implementation of the federal Title IV-E Child Welfare Demonstration Projects. Prior to coming to Casey, Joan held a Deputy Director position for Children, Family and Adult Services in Hennepin County, Minnesota as well as Interim Director and Chief Deputy Director position’s for Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services in California.
Please check back soon for interviews from:
Dr. David Sanders, Executive Vice President of Systems Improvement at Casey Family Programs
And, other leading national experts on the topic of Child Welfare Finance Reform