About this episode

This episode honors Kinship Care Awareness Month and discusses the importance of supporting kinship families in addressing the over-representation of children of color in foster care.

This episode of Speaking for Kids honors Kinship Care Awareness Month with guest BeAnka Masefiade , Executive Director of Osofomaame , a Black-founded and led organization addressing systemic disparities facing Black youth in Michigan’s child welfare system. Black children make up 16% of Michigan children, but are overrepresented in the child welfare population, making up 29% of children in foster care. This conversation highlights why kinship care matters, the challenges caregivers face, and the urgent need for culturally competent support. Listeners will hear how Osofomaame is working to transform the system, uplift kinship families, and ensure every child can grow up in a safe, connected, and supportive environment.

People in this episode

Guest: BeAnka Masefiade

Topics covered

• kinship care
• child welfare
• systemic disparities
• support for families
• children of color
• foster care

Keywords

• kinship care
• foster care
• Black youth
• child welfare
• systemic disparities
• Michigan
• support
• families

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Osofomaame

Places: Michigan

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