CHILD WELFARE PROFESSIONALS becoming Human Rights Defenders
Join Us in Championing Human Rights for All.
Our Mission
Equipping Child Welfare Professionals to Champion Human Rights and Equity.
OUR VALUES, OUR WHY WE EXIST AND OUR FOUNDER'S WHY
OUR VALUES
OUR FOUNDER'S WHY
WHY WE EXIST
At Becoming Human Rights Defenders, we uphold integrity, empathy, and respect as the foundation of our commitment to justice and fairness. These values guide our approach, inform our resources, and strengthen relationships with child welfare professionals and the families they serve. We provide a structured and inclusive space where prof
At Becoming Human Rights Defenders, we uphold integrity, empathy, and respect as the foundation of our commitment to justice and fairness. These values guide our approach, inform our resources, and strengthen relationships with child welfare professionals and the families they serve. We provide a structured and inclusive space where professionals gain the knowledge and skills to engage with families more effectively, ensuring that every interaction is grounded in dignity, understanding, and accountability.
WHY WE EXIST
OUR FOUNDER'S WHY
WHY WE EXIST
African American children are disproportionately represented in the child welfare system, making up 23% of children in foster care, despite being only 14% of the U.S. child population (Children’s Bureau, 2022). This overrepresentation is rooted in historical systemic inequities, racial bias, and discriminatory policies that continue to i
African American children are disproportionately represented in the child welfare system, making up 23% of children in foster care, despite being only 14% of the U.S. child population (Children’s Bureau, 2022). This overrepresentation is rooted in historical systemic inequities, racial bias, and discriminatory policies that continue to impact families today. At Becoming Human Rights Defenders, we work to equip child welfare professionals with the tools to challenge these injustices, advocate for equity, and support family preservation.
OUR FOUNDER'S WHY
OUR FOUNDER'S WHY
OUR FOUNDER'S WHY
Our founder, a DSW candidate with 23 years as a Child Welfare Professional, has firsthand experience violating the human rights of the families she served—working predominantly with marginalized communities, including the very one she comes from. Recognizing the harm she caused; she has made it her mission to stop these violations and sup
Our founder, a DSW candidate with 23 years as a Child Welfare Professional, has firsthand experience violating the human rights of the families she served—working predominantly with marginalized communities, including the very one she comes from. Recognizing the harm she caused; she has made it her mission to stop these violations and support other child welfare professionals in transforming their practice. She conducted a study exploring how training child welfare professionals (CWPs) in anti-racism and human rights can improve their understanding of African American families, reduce racial bias, and prevent human rights violations. The study, delivered as a training to CWPs across the U.S., revealed overwhelming support—professionals found that integrating human rights principles helps them become true partners with families, leading to better outcomes, especially for African American Families and Children. This research fuels our mission to equip CWPs with the knowledge and tools to drive systemic change.