Institute for Family and Child Well-Being

The mission of The Institute for Family and Child Well-Being is to: a) make accessible culturally meaningful information about the experiences of African American children and families involved in this nation's child welfare, juvenile justice and related systems, including relevant challenges; and b) provide information about and assistance to professionals and organizations involved in providing direct services and/or administering programs for African American children and families involved in this nation's child welfare, juvenile justice and related systems.  It is our hope that in doing this work we will also increase the capacity of African American families and communities to provide for and protect our children.

Much of the Institute's work is designed to support this online resource repository.  This website is managed by Oronde Miller, the Institute's Founder and Executive Director, with the guidance and support of the Institute's National Advisory Council.

1.   Broader Community Education and Awareness

We take seriously the importance of lifelong learning and skill-building.  We thus engage directly in the education of professionals, students and the general public about major issues related to African American family and community functioning, especially the impact of child welfare and juvenile justice system involvement on African American children, families and communities.

2.   Cultural Knowledge and Responsiveness

We seek to provide culturally meaningful information about the expereiences of African American children, families and communities in this society.  A major goal of this site is to make available and easily accessible a body of knowledge about the meaning and relevance of culture in the African American family experience, as well as provide information about effective culturally responsive practice strategies in the fields of child welfare and juvenile justice.

3.   Organizational & Professional Support

We provide information, support and assistance to individuals and organizations seeking to work more effectively with African American children and families.  Through our National Advisory Council as well as a national network of child welfare and juvenile justice professionals, we assist individuals and organizations in identifying and developing culturally responsive practices and programs, as well as effective community engagement strategies.

4.   Communication & Information Sharing

Greater understanding and skill building can only come through effective communication and sharing of accurate and meaningful information.  We develop and coordinate collective learning opportunities and facilitate information sharing among organizations and individuals interested in and committed to the work of healing and developing African American families and communities.