08/23/2026
Child welfare situations are incredibly difficult for everyone involved, children, parents, law enforcement, DCFS professionals, lawyers and judges alike.
De-escalation matters.
A professional who can remain calm, communicate clearly, and reduce the emotional intensity of a situation can make an enormous difference during an already traumatic experience.
These situations also highlight the importance of continued training for all professionals involved. Chaos and conflict do not automatically equal danger, and careful assessment of ACTUAL safety and risk is critical before making life-altering decisions for a family.
At the end of the day, the goal should be to protect children while minimizing unnecessary trauma to the entire family.
This is incredibly hard work, and the people doing it deserve both our respect and our encouragement to continually learn, grow, and do better for the families they serve. & when we know better, we must do better.
Just a few of my observations after reviewing body cam footage all day. 🫶🏽💕
