Connected by CarePortal Podcast

The CarePortal Podcast was created to invite deeper conversation from those not often heard; it honors contributions from those with lived experience as well as professionals/leaders in the field to discuss topics through the lens of CarePortal.

Listeners can find the podcast on either Spotify or Apple Podcasts, with new episodes released the first Wednesday of every month! 

We encourage you to subscribe to this podcast and share it with church leaders in your network.

In this 3-part conversation on Child Welfare, you will hear from the following:

Audrey Deckinga- Director of Agency Partnerships with CarePortal, she brings over 35yrs of personal and professional experience as a foster parent as well as a caseworker, supervisor, Director of Policy and Programs, and the Assistant Commissioner in TX CPS

Jessica Latta - before joining CarePortal as a regional manager; worked as a case worker, supervisor, Adoption Specialist, and Program Manager over Alternative Care for JaCo MO Children's Division for a total of 7 yrs. She is also the CP point person at her church.

Arlene Jones - UCA with CarePortal and has experienced the child welfare system from several angles — from experiencing out-of-home placement, to helping found a statewide Youth Advisory Board, becoming a CASA, working as a caseworker, serving as a child welfare trainer and being a kinship caregiver.

Episode 1: (Part 1 of 3) - Honoring the Child's Experience

A child exists within a family, and a family within a community. The familiarity and sense of belonging often outweighs the hardships brought about from poverty. Amplifying the strengths of where they come from is important in maintaining their value and dignity. How can CarePortal responders be mindful of how their beliefs are formed and begin to shift the approach for better connection?

Episode 2: (Part 2 of 3) - Appreciation of Culture

Letting go of the mindset that any one person or group is able to rescue a child from their environment. Increasing awareness and understanding of how someone's environment is a reflection of who they are as an individual. The appreciation of the cultural strengths and efforts that have held the family together and finding value in how their experiences are necessary to inform the process of how to move forward. 

Episode 3: (Part 3 of 3) - Joining in Partnership

We all have a role in the collective effort to support children and families. It's a tough job to work within the system and experience the struggles and burdens of those in crisis. Understanding that there is a parallel process between the case workers, church responders and families; they all need care. How does CarePortal support relational connections that help to communities and families turn inward to better support and strengthen the child?