Showing Up Matters: How Building Trust Strengthens Child Welfare and Communities
In child welfare, trust doesn’t happen overnight. Families often feel disconnected from the agencies meant to support them. Grassroots organizations and local leaders may be doing important work to bridge this gap but when agencies don’t consistently show up, those connections can fade.
By being present, listening, and partnering with grassroots leaders, child welfare agencies can build the trust that truly changes lives.
Members of the Family Voices United Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB) share why building trust strengthens child welfare and communities.
Why Showing Up Matters
LEAB Member: Churmell Mitchell (he/him), Parent, South Carolina
Strong community movements are built on relationships. To partner effectively with families, agencies must engage directly in the spaces where families are. Churmell Mitchell, a parent from South Carolina, has seen this firsthand:
“In my experience, the first step is knowing which grassroots groups are in your community. Many agencies don’t take time to research or show up at local events. Doing that research locally and even nationwide can help agencies connect with resources and guide families better.”
When agencies attend community events, they not only learn about available resources, they also send a powerful message to families: we care, and we’re here for you.
Supporting Resources in the Community
LEAB Member, Jarrod Hummer (he/him), Parent, Indiana
Sometimes, showing up is as simple as setting up a table at a community event. Jarrod Hummer, a parent from Indiana, created community engagement in his own hands:
“Showing up matters. In Indiana, my wife and I set up a resource table at events like Prevent Child Abuse Month. We meet parents in need, connect with other resources, and build relationships. I wish DCS would do more of that. Those connections help parents, caseworkers, and move cases forward faster. Peer supports are also huge, but we don’t have them yet in Indiana. That’s something my wife and I are working to start.”
A resource table is an accessible action that can have a big impact: families get answers in real time, and agencies begin to bridge the gap between official systems and community-led solutions.
Why Consistency is Key
LEAB Member: Pasqueal Nguyen, Parent, Louisiana
Policy changes come and go, but relationships hold communities together. Pasqueal Nguyen, a parent in Louisiana, believes that persistence is the only way to protect progress:
“Being present in the community is key. People won’t just open up to anyone they need to know you. I’ve seen amazing progress in law reform, only to watch it get undone by a new administration. But walking away isn’t an option. If we care about these changes, we have to keep showing up and fighting for them.”
Consistency sends a clear message: families can count on us no matter who’s in office.
How Agencies Can Start Building Trust
Here are four simple steps child welfare agencies can take right now:
- Attend local events – School fairs, cultural festivals, and community meetings.
- Partner with grassroots groups – Work with leaders who already have strong community ties.
- Be consistent – Keep showing up, even when there’s no crisis.
- Listen first – Ask families what they need, instead of assuming.
The Bigger Picture
Showing up is about making real change possible. Families who trust the system are more likely to ask for help early, which can prevent crises and keep children safe. Research shows that strong community connections reduce child maltreatment and strengthen family stability (CDC, 2023).
When agencies invest in relationships, they help build safer, stronger communities for children, youth, and families.
Call to Action
If you work in child welfare or know someone who does challenge them to:
- Attend one local monthly event.
- Introduce yourself, listen, and learn what families are saying.
- Commit to coming back.
- Because trust grows when we keep showing up.
About Family Voices United
Family Voices United is a collaboration between FosterClub, Generations United, the Children’s Trust Fund Alliance, and Casey Family Programs. The project works to improve the child welfare system by listening to, and amplifying, the voices of people who have lived through it. When their experiences shape policy, we all move closer to a system that truly supports children and families.
Take action. Learn more. Share your story at familyvoicesunited.org
