Examine a five-step framework that helps organizations promote youth engagement in normalcy conversations about the youth’s own care.

Learn to facilitate a normalcy conversation and to promote normal and developmentally appropriate experiences for youth in foster care.

Learn how to create an agency organizational culture that is inclusive and knowledgeable about the unique needs of LGBTQ children, youth, and families.

Bruce and Brenda have been married for 33 years and have four daughters. From 2006 to 2009, they provided a kinship placement for their four grandchildren. In 2010, the couple adopted Bruce (now 18 years old), Tre’Nae (now 15 years old), Mason (now 13 years old), and Kiaunna (now 10 years old).

Explore additional resources to learn actionable ways to engage in authentic, nonexploitative storytelling practices with people with lived experience and expertise.

Explore additional resources to learn actionable ways to engage in authentic, nonexploitative storytelling practices with people with lived experience and expertise.

Learn actionable ways to engage in authentic, nonexploitative storytelling practices with people with lived experience and expertise. 

Learn how child welfare organizations can create equity in the workforce. 

Examine the benefits of engaging youth voice in practice, peer support, and system-level change.

Explore additional resources to learn how incorporating voices of lived experience can help improve child welfare services. 

Learn strategies to address the mental health needs of children, young people, and families.

Tells the story of the relationship between a youth in foster care and a BraveLife peer navigator. Both talk about the personal sharing and mutual trust that have forged a connection that will last a lifetime.

Hear about the challenges and experiences of an adoptive family and how they created belonging, healthy development, and normal experiences.

This handout is part of the series, “Perspectives on Normalcy: Videos and Discussion Questions.” It is designed to facilitate discussion about the issues raised in the video, “Kinship Adoption: You Get a Call, ‘Do You Want These Kids?’”

Explore ways to increase commitment to partnering with people with lived expertise in child welfare.