Center for Family and Community Engagement

Nov 1, 2024

Election Day 2024: Casting Your Vote and Coping With Election Stress

Elections, especially presidential elections, shine a spotlight on the problems our nation faces. This affects citizens and can cause varying levels of stress. This article provides tips for coping with election stress. It can be difficult to stay politically engaged, but your voice is important!

Oct 7, 2024

A Call to Action to Change Child Welfare

The 2024 International Virtual Conference: A Call to Action to Change Child Welfare is being held October 7-10. This year’s focus is “Connecting Change Makers Around the World Working for Justice and Fairness for Children, Youth and Families.” This year, our Center's research scholar, Dr. Anna Abate, is leading two presentations: (1) Every Day is Father's Day and (2) North Carolina's Approach to Substance Use in Child Welfare: Utilizing Family Engagement.

Aug 26, 2024

Our Center’s Black Business Month Highlight

This Black Business Month, our Center had the amazing opportunity to collaborate with a new local business in downtown Raleigh. On Board Charcuterie, located at 215B Glenwood Avenue, is the shopfront for a new local Black-owned business in the Raleigh community! This cozy spot is perfect for food lovers and culinary explorers alike.

Jul 15, 2024

Permanency Planning Training in Child Welfare

The Center recently partnered with the North Carolina Division of Social Services staff development team members to provide Permanency Planning training events across the state of North Carolina. Child Welfare Permanency Planning (formerly called Foster Care) services children and youth who have been legally placed in out-of-home care.

Jul 9, 2024

BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month

BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Mental Health Awareness Month is celebrated each July to acknowledge the unique mental health challenges faced by minority communities. This observance aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote access to culturally competent care for BIPOC individuals.

Jun 13, 2024

June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month

Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is observed each June. Men with reported mental illness are less likely to received care, which is a result of the stigma surrounding men needing help or sharing their mental health struggles. We can fight this stigma by encouraging and supporting men who seek help when they need it.

Jun 3, 2024

June is Reunification Month

National Reunification Month is an effort to “recognize the people and ongoing efforts around the country that help families stay together. It is also a time to recommit to strengthening, improving, and increasing those efforts all year long."

May 13, 2024

Strengthened Protections for LGBTQI+ Youth in the Foster Care System

On April 29, 2024, the final rule from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) directs that state and tribal agencies across the country must fully implement existing protections for LGBTQI+ youth in foster care. These protections for LGBTQI+ were proposed by the Children’s Bureau of the Administration for Children and Families, a division of Health and Human Services, in September 2023.

May 6, 2024

Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week

CFACE is working towards spreading awareness, action, and resources for Children’s Mental Health Week going on May 5-11. The theme for Children’s Mental Health Acceptance Week this year is “Lighting the Path to Social Justice for Children and Youth.” Acceptance is the first step towards social justice for our communities, as acceptance requires us to take action and responsibility in changing attitudes, behaviors, and systems.

May 3, 2024

May is National Foster Care Month

May is National Foster Care Month (NFCM), which is a time to spread national awareness of issues related to foster care. This year’s theme is “Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities.” This emphasizes the importance of creating a child welfare system that takes a holistic and culturally responsive approach. National Foster Care Month is also an opportunity to recognize that people from all parts of the child welfare system play a crucial role in supporting children, youth and families.