Through Family Advocacy, Village Arms is reshaping child welfare practices to be more equitable, family-centered, and culturally responsive—ensuring African American families have the opportunity to thrive without unnecessary system intervention or family disruption.

At Village Arms, our Family Advocacy program is designed to reduce racial disparities in child welfare by providing culturally specific, community-driven support to African American families involved in child protection. Our Family Advocates serve as dedicated advocates, working to ensure families receive equitable treatment, access to necessary resources, and the opportunity to remain safely together whenever possible.

How Village Arms Reduces Child Welfare Disparities

• Preventing Court Involvement & Family Separation

Our advocacy efforts focus on diverting families away from unnecessary court involvement, out-of-home placements, and termination of parental rights. We do this by working directly with families, caseworkers, and legal representatives to explore alternatives that keep children safely with their parents or extended family.

• Leveraging Community & Family Support

We prioritize kinship care and community-based solutions as alternatives to foster care, ensuring children remain connected to their families, culture, and support networks. By strengthening extended family engagement and community partnerships, we create sustainable safety plans that uphold family unity.

• Providing In-Home Services for Stability & Reunification

To prevent removals and expedite reunification, we offer direct, in-home services that address the root causes of child welfare involvement. Our strengths-based approach equips parents with the skills, resources, and support they need to provide a stable, nurturing environment for their children.