In this 2-part training, participants will be exposed to the "power definition" of racism and will observe a racially diverse group of people reflecting on the meaning of the definition, and the efficacy of using the definition to address racism in institutions. A rationale will be explored for developing a full analysis of racism, including understanding its historic and legal roots and contemporary functioning.

This second segment focuses on dismantling racism and some of the concepts, strategies and tools that are needed to effectively address the problem of racism in institutions. Crossroads workshops and methodologies are explored, including the Analyzing and Understanding Racism Workshop and the development of Institutional Transformation Teams. A very brief overview of the rationale and organizing principles for Transformation Team Building as a structural intervention to institutional racism is presented, including development of the Team and strategic plan to dismantle institutional racism.

In this 2-part training, participants will be exposed to the "power definition" of racism and will observe a racially diverse group of people reflecting on the meaning of the definition, and the efficacy of using the definition to address racism in institutions. A rationale will be explored for developing a full analysis of racism, including understanding its historic and legal roots and contemporary functioning. Participants will be introduced to racism as a systemic and structural problem that shapes individual attitudes and actions in particular ways, impacts institutional norms and the ability of institutions to fully and appropriately serve all constituents, creates institutional mono-culture that makes it difficult for People of Color, immigrants and refugees to access and receive services in cultural sensitive and appropriate ways.

This first segment focuses on establishing racism as an ongoing problem for US society, on defining racism and creating a sense of urgency to address racism in meaningful ways and introduces the rationale for addressing racism in institutions specifically.

"Well-meaning", experienced and novice practitioners are often unaware of their own biases and cultural incompetence that impede culturally-based intervention strategies such as Family Group Decision Making (FGDM). Such impediments serve to feed ethnic minorities involvement into child welfare systems and do little to repair disproportionality. Although FGDM is inherently a culturally competent practice, intervention strategies related to specific cultures are necessary for true cultural competence. This workshop will provide further evidence of the merits of FGDM. As well, through theory and empirically-evidence practice, participants will leave the session with practical strategies to introduce FGDM to new arenas and improve existing practices. A wide range of cultures and various populations will be examined from a theoretical and clinical perspective. This is a strength-based approach to reaching cultural competency rather than a "guilt-ridden" exercise. This workshop will present theory, step-by-step implementation strategies; practice methods and corresponding data outcomes, all of which are needed to enhance practitioner skills, increase FGDM outcomes and reduce the rate of ethnic minority disproportionality in child welfare.

The oldest social institution in the African American community, the black church has served as a protective factor against debilitating social and psychological forces of poverty, inequality, disparity and racism. We will examine historical roots of African American spirituality, the current role of the black church and clinical intervention methods necessary to provide effective, culturally-based treatment and services. Participants will be introduced to a useful clinical tool, "Spiritual Life Mapping" and how it improves engagement strategies and moves families toward wellness, self-sufficiency and empowerment.

This workshop will examine an innovative project, Inua Ubuntu ("To lift up; I am, because we are") aimed at reducing disproportionality rates for African American male children served in Allegheny County's (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Department of Human Services, Office of Children, Youth and Families - ACCYF). The goal of Inua Ubuntu is to provide culturally-based intervention and child protective services aimed at keeping African American male children safely in their own homes with their families and to reduce the rate of African American males requiring out of home placement. Inua Ubuntu proposed that linking these children to robust culturally- centered community services, rather than making them child welfare cases, can improve outcomes and reduce the number of youths removed from their homes. First year results support that claim. Ninety percent of all children served remained in their own homes requiring no further child protective services involvement. Furthermore, appreciable gains were made in child safety, permanency, well-being and self efficacy.