Florida Institute for Child Welfare at FSU's College of Social Work

Florida Institute for Child Welfare at FSU's College of Social Work Promoting safety, permanency, & well-being for children & families of Florida's child welfare system.

The Florida Institute for Child Welfare, housed at the Florida State University College of Social Work, was established Section 1004.615, Florida Statutes to advance the well-being of children and families by improving the performance of child protection and child welfare services through research, policy, analysis, evaluation, and leadership development.

Florida's child welfare system is entering a new phase, and compliance alone will not achieve the structural change need...
09/08/2026

Florida's child welfare system is entering a new phase, and compliance alone will not achieve the structural change needed for lasting impact.

Our upcoming webinar, "Nothing About Us Without Us: Peer Workforce Development, Advisory Councils, and Sustainable System Change," explores the benefits of incorporating peer support and how organizations can implement it to create better outcomes for youths and families. 👉 Register to attend or to receive the recording: https://loom.ly/--MJY-8

The webinar will help child welfare organizations discover a practical integration framework drawing from the Family Safety Alliance Peer Support Toolkit for Employers to help:

➡️ Build and sustain a professionally supported peer workforce

➡️ Design high-impact advisory councils beyond token involvement

➡️ Align lived experience integration with measurable system and fiscal outcomes

Peer support isn’t a soft strategy; it’s a powerful driver of system-wide transformation.

"We are particularly proud of this recognition because it celebrates the very principles that guide our work every day: ...
09/04/2026

"We are particularly proud of this recognition because it celebrates the very principles that guide our work every day: innovation, collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to improving public service." - Institute Director, Dr. Lisa Magruder.

Accepting the award, Kristina Finch, Associate Director of Professional Development and lead developer of the Learning Lab, highlighted the purpose driving this innovative initiative:

"The Learning Lab was created to solve a simple but important problem: How do we better prepare and support our students and the professionals responsible for serving Florida's most vulnerable children and families?"

In her speech, she noted that the Lab's impact extends beyond a single facility, serving as a statewide resource designed to maximize collaboration and public investment. "Rather than having universities and agencies build separate simulation spaces, we created a centralized model that reduces duplication, increases access, and makes better use of public resources."

Thank you once again Florida TaxWatch for this recognition.

We are honored to receive the Florida TaxWatch Productivity Award for creating Florida's first immersive child welfare l...
09/02/2026

We are honored to receive the Florida TaxWatch Productivity Award for creating Florida's first immersive child welfare learning lab.

This recognition celebrates innovation, collaboration, and our commitment to preparing the next generation of child welfare professionals to better serve children and families throughout Florida.

The Learning Lab, a statewide resource, was created to provide students and child welfare professionals with realistic, hands-on opportunities to practice critical skills before encountering complex situations in the field.

Thank you to the Florida legislature, Florida State University, and the many partners, educators, researchers, and professionals who helped bring this vision to life. Visit our website to learn more about the FICW Learning Lab: https://loom.ly/-M1R3Ys

We're excited to welcome Penny Malone as our new Associate Director of Administration!With nearly 20 years of experience...
08/26/2026

We're excited to welcome Penny Malone as our new Associate Director of Administration!

With nearly 20 years of experience in higher education administration, Penny brings extensive expertise in finance, administration, procurement, human resources, and research administration. We are thrilled to have her join the Institute team.

Learn more about our team: https://loom.ly/cEG6-DU

Congratulations to our affiliate, Dr. Marianna Colvin, on the publication of her article in the latest issue of the 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳...
08/24/2026

Congratulations to our affiliate, Dr. Marianna Colvin, on the publication of her article in the latest issue of the 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘧𝘢𝘳𝘦.

The article, "The challenge within challenges: A common thread of instability in interorganizational child welfare practice," highlights her findings that embracing adaptability and building flexibility into child welfare systems may be key to navigating ongoing challenges and driving meaningful change.

Access the full report to learn more about this study and its findings: https://loom.ly/fvh3w34

Child welfare professionals, do you work with college-bound youths? Share this free webinar series hosted by Center for ...
08/18/2026

Child welfare professionals, do you work with college-bound youths? Share this free webinar series hosted by Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement Unconquered Scholars Program.

These virtual sessions are designed to strengthen understanding of the Florida State University admission process and relevant resources for homeless and child welfare–impacted youths. Sessions are open to high school counselors, child welfare professionals, and others who assist these student populations in navigating their college search.

Register now and share with someone who needs this. Registration is required to access sessions: https://loom.ly/TwR7sRU
12:00 -1:15pm
➡️ September 1 - FSU Application (12:00 -1:15p.m.)
➡️ September 8 - CARE ADMISSIONS (12:00 -1:15p.m.)
➡️ September 15 - Campus Resources (12:00 -1:15p.m.)
➡️ September 22 - Campus Resources (12:00 -1:15p.m.)
➡️ September 29 - DCF and Homeless Tuition Waivers (12:00 -1:15p.m.)
➡️ September 29 - Prospective Student Session (4:00–5:30 p.m.)

August is and a good reminder to take care of yourself or inspire a colleague, friend, or family member to prioritize ...
08/16/2026

August is and a good reminder to take care of yourself or inspire a colleague, friend, or family member to prioritize their well-being.

Comment one small wellness step you’re taking this week and share this with a colleague or friend.

We are so glad to support our partner, Prevent Child Abuse Florida, at their annual convention. If you'll be there, stop...
08/14/2026

We are so glad to support our partner, Prevent Child Abuse Florida, at their annual convention.

If you'll be there, stop by our booth to meet our staff, learn more about our initiatives, and pick up some complimentary Institute swag.

We look forward to seeing you there!

System-impacted youths may cope with stress and trauma in ways that show up around food, body image, and control—and it’...
08/11/2026

System-impacted youths may cope with stress and trauma in ways that show up around food, body image, and control—and it’s not always easy to spot.

Our Associate Director of Research, Lauren H. K. Stanley, and research assistant, Kara Guinan from Florida State University College of Social Work, authored a practical, trauma-informed resource on disordered eating in system-impacted youths, including what to watch for, how to respond with care, and where to connect youths and caregivers to supports.

If you’re working with youths and families, we hope this resource helps you feel a little more prepared for a tough conversation. The report can be accessed in our resource library: https://loom.ly/cn8_KHs

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