OUR CHALLENGE
State child welfare advocates are uniquely positioned to influence policy changes that directly impact children and families involved with child welfare systems around the country. However, state advocates are often so busy fighting for children in their own states that they often do not have the opportunity to share their knowledge and expertise with leaders in other states or at the national level. As a result, child welfare varies dramatically from state to state, many times without implementing best practices from other jurisdictions. Even the most effective and experienced child welfare advocates often feel alone in their advocacy.
OUR WORK
SPARC works to strengthen the connections between state child welfare advocates to allow for peer learning and support with a focus on advocacy at the state level. SPARC uplifts success stories across state lines that can serve as models for replication and emerging challenges that may require responses both in states around the country and at the federal level.
OUR VISION
State child welfare advocates are connected and coordinate with other state child welfare advocates around the country, as well as with national advocacy groups. As a result, state child welfare advocates, with their tremendous state level knowledge and expertise, will be able to positively impact policy change for children and families, in other states as well as at the national level.
OUR LEADERSHIP
SPARC relies on a State Leadership Council to ensure the network meets the ongoing and evolving needs of our members. Consisting of five experienced advocates from across the country, the Council guides the development of programming and resources to address the daily challenges of state and local child welfare advocacy. In close partnership with the SPARC Coordinator, the Council also supports the recruitment of new members, helps shape our topic area working groups, and is central to planning the annual convening.
