At Village Arms, we are committed to driving systemic change through legislative action to combat family separation. Village Arms developed and advocated for Senate Bill 716 and House Bill 912, collectively known as the African American Family Preservation Act (AAFPA). This groundbreaking legislation was introduced to combat the stark disparities African American families face within the child welfare system.

This legislation resulted in the creation of the Department of Human Services' African American Child Welfare Advisory Council and the African American Child Well Being Unit. These bodies were designed to ensure that the needs of African American families are addressed with cultural humility, fairness, and equity. The AAFPA promotes systemic reform to keep African American families whole, reduce unnecessary family separations and provide culturally appropriate supports that foster family reunification and preservation.

This legislation represents a significant step forward in addressing the racial inequities prevalent in the child welfare system and advancing the mission of Village Arms to support and protect African American families.

Village Arms has strategically focused its public policy efforts on reforming the child protection system, recognizing it as a critical yet often overlooked area in need of change. Historically, child protection has not been at the forefront of major reform efforts, largely due to a failure to fully grasp its wide-reaching implications across various sectors, including Education, Health, Public Safety, and Economic Stability. Village Arms understands that involvement in the child protection system often serves as a precursor to poor outcomes in these areas.

Our public policy initiatives are focused on eliminating racial disparities, advocating for equitable family-centered policies, and ensuring that African American families receive the support they need to stay together. Through continued legislative action and policy reform, Village Arms is working to reshape the child welfare system and create lasting change for future generations.