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Podcast

WHAT IS HIDDEN FOSTER CARE? Watch this 2 minute video about Mary and Kayla, and how hidden foster care impacted their family.

Episode 14: Part 2 of 2 — Marla and Stephanie Continue to Discuss CFSA’s DC Council Oversight Testimony on Kinship Diversion aka Hidden Foster Care. In this episode, they continue to play a recording of CFSA Director Brenda Donald’s and Deputy Director Robert Matthews’ testimony on this issue and analyze it under applicable law, policy, and their own experiences working with kinship families (April 28, 2021).

Episode 13: Part 1 of 2 — Marla and Stephanie Discuss CFSA’s DC Council Oversight Testimony on Kinship Diversion aka Hidden Foster Care. In this episode, they play a recording of CFSA Director Brenda Donald’s and Deputy Director Robert Matthews’ testimony on this issue and analyze it under applicable law, policy, and their own experiences working with kinship families (April 21, 2021).

Special Edition: Marla and Stephanie Are Guests On The Taking Action Radio Show (WPFW 89.3FM). They talk with Empower DC’s Daniel Del Pielago about the waiting list for the DC Grandparent Caregiver Program, which has been ongoing for more than a year, and why it is important that the DC government fully fund the program and eliminate the waiting list. (February 9, 2021).

Episode 12: Marla and Stephanie Welcome Back Special Guest Marie Cohen to Address CFSA’s 2019 Internal Child Fatality Review Report. Marie explains how the recently issued report fails to discuss more than half of the deaths reviewed by CFSA, as well as other deficiencies with the report.  She also provides recommendations for better practices in child fatality reviews and reporting. (October 19, 2020).

Episode 11: Part 3 of DC KinCare Alliance’s Interview with Special Guest Christian Greene, the Former Internal Ombudsperson for the DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA), Regarding Illegal Third Party Placements and Missing Documents (Part 3, September 29, 2020)

Episode 10: Marla and Stephanie Continue Their Interview with Special Guest Christian Greene, the Former Internal Ombudsperson for the DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA), Regarding the Need For an Independent Ombudsperson to Protect CFSA Social Workers’ and Children’s Rights in DC (Part 2, Sept. 7, 2020)

Episode 9: Marla and Stephanie Welcome Special Guest Christian Greene, the Former Internal Ombudsperson for the DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) to Discuss Concerns about CFSA’s Practices that Undermine Child Safety and Welfare (Part 1, August 31, 2020)

Episode 8: SPECIAL VIDEO EPISODE FROM THE DC KINCARE ALLIANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD! (July 20, 2020)

Episode 7: 10 Minute Mini-Episode on the DC Council FY 2021 Budget: Budgeting During a Pandemic. Find out what the DC Council is proposing to increase revenue. And is the DC Council prioritizing investments in services and supports that successfully promote racial and economic equity?

Episode 6: Marla and Stephanie Welcome Special Guest Donte Massey, a DC Resident and Relative Caregiver to His Younger Siblings (June 19, 2020). Donte discusses his experiences growing up as a Black male in DC, caring for his siblings, and well as how violence in his neighborhood and encounters with the police have impacted his life.

Episode 5: Marla and Stephanie Explain What Lifting the Stay-At-Home Order Means for DC Residents (May 29, 2020). Get the answers to all your questions like: Do I have to wear a mask? Can I eat at a restaurant? Can I play basketball? Can I get my hair done?

Episode 4: Marla and Stephanie Welcome Special Guest Marie Cohen to Discuss the Intersection of Child Welfare and Virtual Schooling During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (May 13, 2020)

Episode 3: Marla and Stephanie Provide Updates on New COVID-19 Legislation and Protections for DC Residents (May 6, 2020)

Episode 2 BONUS: Marla and Stephanie Discuss Important Updates to the COVID-19 Q&A’s Since Monday’s Episode

Episode 2: Marla and Stephanie Answer Your Questions About COVID-19 Protections for DC Residents

Episode 1: Marla and Stephanie Discuss News of the Day in Light of COVID-19