Shows
Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 28: Reduce Frustration in Foster Care: Trust, Roles, and Real PartnershipReducing frustration in foster care starts with the stuff we don’t always name: trust, roles, and real partnership across the family and child welfare system.
In this episode, I share a story from a major project where we were stuck waiting on pieces outside our control. The shift was simple: I prepared everything I could control so we were ready the moment the missing pieces landed. That same mindset applies to foster care. There are so many moving parts, and sometimes you don’t even know what’s missing until the work slows down.
...
2026-02-2507 minNavigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 27: Racial Trauma and the Family and Child Welfare System, From History to HealingBeauty and harm can coexist in our history, and healing starts with honest reflection and shared action.
This episode focuses centers on healing from racial trauma and why honest history is essential to repair. She traces how race has shaped American law and memory, then connects that history to daily practice in the family and child welfare system. From the Declaration and Constitution to the Civil Rights Amendments, from birthright citizenship to repatriation and guest worker policies, and from post-emancipation child taking to the work of the Freedmen’s Bureau, Shanelle names patterns of othering and invites li...
2026-02-1612 minNavigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 26: From Fake Help to Real Support in Foster Care and the Family & Child WelfareSometimes our help looks good on paper but doesn’t help in practice. In this episode, Shanelle names “fake help,” shows how to co-create real solutions with the people affected, and explains where 360° Family and Child Welfare Workshops solves a specific problem by strengthening partnerships and prepares a community for service in the family and child welfare system.
You will learn:
What “fake help” is and how to stop creating extra work for families and staff.
Three common blockers: fixing problems without the people affected, over-engineering solutions, and over-automating connection.
The 360º Workshop unlocks progress within family and child we...
2026-02-0408 min
Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 25: Unpopular opinion! Agencies should not lead parent or foster parent support groupsShanelle and guest Steve Gonyea wrap up their conversation by digging into why many agency-run “support groups” have good intentions, but miss the mark, especially when supervisors or case managers are in the room. Caregivers, parents, and youth will not share real concerns when the people who evaluate them are listening, so the space is not actually supportive. The conversation covers what new and veteran caregivers really need, which are: timely answers, plain language guidance, and safe places to learn how to navigate court, school, medication questions, and after-hours crises.
Shanelle also shares monthly webinar plans...
2026-01-2812 min
Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 24: Barriers to Solutions: Advocacy, Autism, & Foster CareShanelle sits down with advocate and long-time therapeutic foster parent Steve Goneya to talk about what is not working and what communities can build right now. Steve has welcomed 178 children through respite and high-needs care, fought for supports for high health needs children, and learned the hard truth about bureaucracy, turnover, and waitlists. Instead of waiting, he built solutions: an Autism Barn that became a community hub and an Ability Bus model that partners with veterans to get youth and adults with disabilities to appointments and life-giving activities when agencies do not run nights or weekends. This is part...
2026-01-2130 minNavigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 23: START HERE... 360 Assessment to Reduce Confusion in the Family and Child Welfare SystemWhat does partnership and collaboration look like in your organization? Often times we focus solely on our role and job- but in the family and child welfare system all the systems matter.
The 360º Assessment is HERE! Take it today to understand…
-Recognize where you fit on the 360º family and child welfare map
-Determine how you work with other partners
-Gauge how supported or overwhelmed you feel
-Access your organization’s readiness to partner and build trust with families
Listeners learn why beginning...
2026-01-1409 minNavigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 22: Reclaim Time and Peace of Mind in Case ManagementEpisode summary
A caseworker’s anonymous post about hard relationships with foster parents sparks a real conversation about communication, role clarity, and burnout. Shanelle explains why case workers (& no one!) cannot hold everything at once, how conflicting goals show up, and what it takes to align teams so families move forward. She also introduces the SYNCing Child Welfare approach, including a free 360 assessment, a 360 workshop that maps ten connected systems, and monthly 360 webinars, all designed to help staff, caregivers, and volunteers reclaim time and peace of mind in the family and child welfare system.
You wi...
2025-12-3114 minNavigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 21: BIG Things in Foster Care for 2026: Partnerships in the Family and Child Welfare SystemFamilies need information fast, in plain language, and backed by real partnerships. In this episode of Navigating Child Welfare Shanelle shares what is coming in 2026 and how SYNCing Child Welfare will help parents, foster and kinship caregivers, and partners move through the family and child welfare system with less confusion and more confidence.
She discusses prevention services that keep families out of foster care, parent education that clarifies court and case plans, and cross-system collaboration that makes case management sustainable. She also discusses the upcoming 360º workshop for workers and volunteers and the 360º webinar series for parents and pa...
2025-12-2423 min
Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 20: Hair Care & Wellbeing in Foster Care: Culture, Confidence, and ConnectionEpisode summary
Hair isn’t “extra.” For many youth in foster care, it’s identity, culture, memory and a daily signal of dignity. Shanelle talks with Aisha Walker, founder of The Walker Foundation, about why a lack of hair care can trigger bullying, low self-esteem, “hair depression” and how culturally competent care helps children feel connected and confident. You’ll hear concrete tips for foster/kin caregivers, how bonding happens in everyday routines, and the Walker Foundation’s programs from free Hair Fairs to school curricula and in-home support. Shanelle also invites listeners to early-2026 preview sessions for SYN...
2025-12-1726 minNavigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 19: Mandated reporters, CPS Leadership, and Volunteers: Is Better Possible in Foster Care?Episode summary
We often describe foster care and CPS as broken—and then we work like nothing can change. In this episode, Shanelle challenges that reflex and asks a harder question: Do you even think better is possible? Drawing on a college-days story (learning to do things differently) and real child welfare dynamics, she outlines what families, volunteers, workers, and mandated reporters actually need: clarity, connection, and a network of support. She introduces SYNCing Child Welfare, a national program built to simplify navigation, reduce confusion, and strengthen cross-system partnerships.
You’ll hear about
Why call...
2025-12-1008 minNavigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 18: Triggered in Foster Care: Moving From Confused to ConnectedShanelle has been listening deeply to parents, caregivers, youth, caseworkers, judges, and faith/community partners. The stories are hard: reports not read, workers demeaned, youth uninformed, and children disoriented by sudden moves. This episode names those triggers and charts a path toward being more connected so people aren’t navigating foster care alone. Shanelle also invites listeners to a 2026 preview of the SYNCing Child Welfare course (Simplifying Your Navigation and Confusion in Child Welfare).
What you’ll hear
Why foster care...even when necessary, is inherently hard, and how system behavior can make it harder.
...
2025-12-0309 min
Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 17: Faith + Foster CareFaith + Foster Care
Child welfare can feel complicated and confusing—but families should never be asked to navigate it alone.
In this episode of Navigating Child Welfare, I share how faith, prevention, and community supports surround families before, during, and after system involvement. We talk about opening our eyes (2 Kings 6) to the help already around us, reducing shame, and building natural supports that last when paid services end.
We cover:
Why “do it by yourself” is unsafe for families and for anyone.
Prevention + support: the often-missed pillars that keep families stable...
2025-11-2609 min
Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 16: Barriers to Connection...and How We Remove ThemHost Shanelle Dupree makes the case that no one can (or should) do this work alone. Drawing on courtroom moments and frontline advocacy, she surfaces the barriers to connecting well, like not understanding the multiple systems families must navigate and offers practical ways to help parents, youth, staff, and volunteers participate fully. Shanelle also introduces Syncing Child Welfare (SYNC), a 360-degree perspective designed to align partners across the ten connected systems and provide practical tools, questions, and worksheets.
You’ll hear about
Why expecting families to “figure it out alone” is unrealistic and harmful...
2025-11-1908 min
Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 15: Child Welfare's a New LanguageEpisode summary
In this episode of Navigating Child Welfare, host Shanelle Dupree makes the case for a third “C” that changes outcomes: connected. Through a story about attending a presentation in Spanish, Shanelle shares how knowing the language can help make you feel connected. Shanelle shows how child welfare jargon and acronyms quietly exclude parents, youth, volunteers, and even new staff. Her fix is simple and powerful: translate the work. Provide glossaries, slow down for definitions, and create shared language so people can participate fully in decisions that shape their families and futures.
You’ll hear about
2025-11-1207 min
Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 14: From Confusion to Connection: Three C's of Child WelfareEpisode 14 Description: Child welfare is often confusing and complicated…so how do we get to connected?
In this episode, Shanelle Dupree names the Three C’s, unpacks a heavy multi-system case, names a issue that can keeps us stuck, and shares a first look at Syncing Child Welfare (SYNC), a new way to simplify systems and connect communities.
🎧 Listen now: From Confusion to Connection: The Three C’s of Child Welfare
🔁 Try it: Start your next staffing by asking, “Which C are we in?”
📌 Get SYNC updates here: https://form.jotform.com/253
2025-11-0305 min
Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 13: Persistence in the System with Kenisha Coon🎙️ “We can’t change outcomes until we change how we think.” -Kenisha Coon
This is one of the gems dropped by our guest, Kenisha Coon.
In this episode of The Skin Deep Podcast, host Shanelle Dupree sits down with Kenisha Coon, a child welfare consultant, equity leader, and soon to be Ph.D., who brings both personal and professional insight to transforming the child welfare system.
Kenisha shares her powerful story of growing up in an abusive household under CPS supervision but never being removed. This lived experience has shaped her passion for system refor...
2025-10-1535 min
Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 12: DEEP Observations...Get it OUT!Episode 12 Description: This week’s episode discusses the power of getting our experiences regarding equity out of head. A tool I am so excited to introduce to the Skin DEEP community is the DEEP Observations Journal. It is a place to write the equity moments you encounter AND ask the next question- now what? Feelings do not equal facts, so it’s important to get “it” out of our head to determine - what do I do with this? Our end goal is emotional intelligence as we navigate equity moments. Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our news...
2025-09-2411 min
Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 11: POWER in Child WelfareEpisode 11 Description: This week’s episode discusses power within the child welfare system. People within the system have power- but with power needs to come an acknowledgement of the power and the proper use of it. We are discussing case workers, CASA’s, and Foster Parent’s power in the child welfare system. From your perspective, who has the power AND how? How can people in power understand the influence they have so they are hyper aware of this dynamic?
Fill out the form below to share your thoughts on who has power within the child welfare system...
2025-09-1714 minNavigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 10: Kinship ConnectionEpisode 10 Description: Kinship families or keeping kids is an age old practice for many communities- and it’s making a comeback. This is the thing- it was a way of life for many families when situations didn’t go as planned. Now we recognize the benefits for everyone involved, keeping children with people who know, love, and whom they trust- it truly is a win win situation. However, there needs to be more support for these families, because they are providing an invaluable service.
Check out the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network resource and tip page on improving suppo...
2025-09-1010 min
Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 9: Ties to Culture: A Heritage Journey Part IIEpisode 9: Loving, discovering, and embracing your culture is a beautiful thing. Join us as we wrap u an interview with Autumn a Chinese adoptee and program manger for The Ties Program, where she leads the China heritage journey program. Check out The Ties Program below.
Website: www.thetiesprogram.com
Facebook: Adoptive Family Travel - The Ties Program
Instagram: @the.ties.program
Registration is now open for Summer 2026 trips to China, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Korea, and Paraguay!
Learn more at www.thetiesprogram.com
Ties Together: Mon...
2025-09-0221 minNavigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 8: TIES to Culture: A Heritage Journey (part 1)Episode 8:
Autumn is honest, reflective, and provides thought provoking dialogue on her journey of returning to her birth country of China as an adoptee. She is now leading the heritage journeys in China and provides a safe space and experience for other families. Join me as we take a journey on cultural discovery.
Check out The Ties Program
Website: www.thetiesprogram.com
Facebook: Adoptive Family Travel - The Ties Program
Instagram: @the.ties.program
Registration is now open for Summer 2026 trips to China, Guat...
2025-08-2824 min
Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 7: A Community of Excellence: Montgall Avenue and Gwen Calderon (part 2)Enjoy the conclusion of my interview with Ms. Gwen, a 92 year old resident of Montgall Ave. Community connection can start with a simple hello. Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our newsletter, HERE. Step 2: Sign up for Going DEEP Coaching with Shanelle Dupree HERE. Step 3: Sign up for the Skin DEEP online course HERE. The promo code for the Skin DEEP online course is PODCAST. Step 4: Sign your organization up for the Going DEEP Together Skin DEEP Workshop HERE. Check out the book! Kansas City’s Montgall Avenue, by Margie Carr.
2025-08-2620 minNavigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 6: A Community of Excellence: Montgall Avenue and Gwen Calderon (part 1)Episode 6:
A close knit community can get things done. Montgall Ave is an example of what can happen when neighbors come together to help support one another. Join me in chatting with Ms. Gwen, a 92 year old resident of Montgall Ave. Remember whatever community you are working with has strengths. Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our newsletter, HERE. Step 2: Sign up for Going DEEP Coaching with Shanelle Dupree HERE. Step 3: Sign up for the Skin DEEP online course HERE. The promo code for the Skin DEEP online course is PODCAST. Step 4: Sign your o...
2025-08-2126 min
Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 5: Why Skin DEEP matters in child welfareEpisode 5: Skin DEEP was created because of a deafening silence around the impact of poverty as well as Black, Native, Latino, and Asian families historical experiences in the child welfare system. When the conversation isn’t presented…it feels off limits. Equipping our family serving workforce is the goal for Skin DEEP and it begins with understanding history and then launching into real time solutions.
Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our newsletter, HERE. Step 2: Sign up for Going DEEP Coaching with Shanelle Dupree HERE. Step 3: Sign up for the Skin DEEP online...
2025-08-1909 minNavigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 4: Navigating the Child Welfare SystemEpisode 4:
The child welfare system can be overwhelming—policies, agencies, courts, and constant change. In this episode, we will discuss a potential solution to our complex systems. How do you manage navigating the child welfare system personally or on behalf of the families you work with? Share your thoughts HERE.
Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our newsletter, HERE. Step 2: Sign up for Going DEEP Coaching with Shanelle Dupree HERE. Step 3: Sign up for the Skin DEEP online course HERE. The promo code for the Skin DEEP online course is PODCAST. Step 4: Sig...
2025-08-1409 minNavigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 3: Remembering your why in helping familiesEpisode 3:
In child welfare, it’s easy to get lost in paperwork, policies, and constant demands. But behind every task is a family, and a purpose. In this episode, we’ll reconnect with the reason so many of us entered this field: to help, to heal, and to advocate for families. We’ll explore strategies to stay grounded in your “why” amidst the pressures of the system. Don’t forget to fill out the form to share your “why.” Later, I’ll be sharing some of your responses on the show HERE.
Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our new...
2025-08-1205 minNavigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 2: Toxic Courtrooms: Building a Better Child Welfare SystemEpisode 2:
The Judge sets the culture for the courtroom. They are suppose to be guided by their ethics- not bias. Yet we know toxicity can exist in the courtroom. We are naming 3 toxic courtroom experiences. to identify and pursue another way. If you have experienced a toxic courtroom environment, feel free to share your story HERE. Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our newsletter, HERE. Step 2: Sign up for Going DEEP Coaching with Shanelle Dupree HERE. Step 3: Sign up for the Skin DEEP online course HERE. Step 4: Sign your organization up for the Going D...
2025-08-0711 min
Navigating Child Welfare | CPS, Foster Care, Family Court, Adoption, Mandated ReporterEpisode 1: Skin DEEP: Child Welfare TrailerEpisode 1:
What is Skin DEEP? It’s not a skin care line! It is the decision to go beneath the surface level and talk about race, poverty, and bias that impact families in child welfare. We make race easy to talk about and bias impossible to ignore within organizations. If you are sick of the surface level conversations and ready to move into action- download the Skin DEEP podcast. Let’s go deep. Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our newsletter, HERE. Step 2: Sign up for Going DEEP Coaching with Shanelle Dupree HERE. Step 3: Sign u...
2025-08-0504 min
Foster Care: An Unparalleled JourneyWhat is a Guardian Ad Litem in Foster Care with Shanelle DupreeShanelle Dupree has deep Midwestern roots. She was born in Nebraska, raised in Oklahoma, and moved to Kansas to attend Washburn University School of Law. Shanelle is a lawyer, author, speaker, administrator, strategic connector, wife of a Pastor and Elected Official, and mama of 4. Shanelle’s faith is the thread that connects her life. Attorney Dupree practiced law for nearly a decade representing children as a Guardian ad Litem, Parent's Attorney, and handled numerous high conflict family law and juvenile law cases. Mrs. Dupree is a connector and creator. She successfully created and taught a series of legal and social...
2021-07-061h 21