Building Bridges Initiative, Inc.

12/11/2023

Embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI) in your organization’s cultures, policies, and practices is easier said than done. We want to help. Association Of Children's Residential Centers | Building Bridges Initiative, Inc. has partnered with the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, Georgetown University' s McCourt School of Public Policy and Social Current to provide an intensive certification opportunity for organizations that want to create an equitable work environment and resilient staff intentionally. Through multiple trainings and a capstone project, your organization will leave better equipped to reach your DEI goals.

Learn more and apply by March 29:

The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, in partnership with Social Current and Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), has launched a new organizational diversity, […]

09/18/2023

Exciting training coming up this Wednesday, September 20th that we wanted to make our BBI friends aware of - Don't MISS it!

"Supporting the Autonomous Self of Young People in Care" - with Dr. Kiaras Gharabaghi - https://togetherthevoice.org/event/cyc-net-webinar-supporting-the-autonomous-self-of-young-people-in-care/

In this presentation, Dr. Gharabaghi explores the role of autonomy and the autonomous self for young people living in out of home care. He argues that we can use our core values of relational practice, care, engagement, and focusing on everyday life events as a way of advancing young people’s sense of who they are and how they might be in the world and in the social contexts impacting them. Supporting the development of an autonomous self is quite different from supporting independence or preparing young people to go off on their own. The autonomous self is ultimately the vehicle through which young people will navigate interdependence as they journey through their life course.

Dr. Kiaras Gharabaghi - Dean of the Faculty of Community Services, Toronto Metropolitan University - Kiaras spent 25 years working directly with young people in residential care settings across different service sectors ranging from child welfare and treatment settings to youth custody, in-patient psychiatric units and youth homeless shelters. Dr. Gharabaghi started his career in the human services in the 1980s, working directly with young people facing adversity, managing not for profit youth serving programs in child welfare, child and youth mental health, and youth homelessness, and providing family support services to newcomer families. Currently, Dr. Gharabaghi is the dean of the Faculty of Community Services at Toronto Metropolitan University. Previous to this, he was Director of the School of Child and Youth Care, also at Toronto Metropolitan University. His own background is marked by both forced and voluntary migrations spanning three continents, multiple languages, and engagement with multiple faith groups. He is author of over 300 books, articles and creative writings, including A Hard Place to Call Home: A Canadian Perspective on Residential Care and Treatment for Children and Youth (Canadian Scholars Press, 2019).

Webinar Provided by C*C Net in Partnership with ACRC

$20 Registration Fee ACRC Members
$40 Registration Fee Non-Members

08/04/2023

CALL FOR PAPERS!
ACRC’s 68th Annual Conference, Right Care, Right Place, Right Time: Revolutionizing the Children’s Continuum of Care, will be held May 6-9, 2024. With global attention focused on the urgent, often unmet, behavioral and mental health needs of children, we seek to elevate what is working and re-envision how children and families access care. ACRC is seeking abstract submissions from presenters willing to present an in-person or virtual 90-minute workshop session and/or a research poster for our renowned poster presentation session. Presenters with the voice of lived experience and/or who reflect the diversity of the populations we serve are especially encouraged to submit.

Read more here: https://conta.cc/44VxrZN

05/18/2023

Breaking news! Our partners of Children’s Residential Centers and Bridges Initiative, Inc. are officially joining forces to better drive equity, ensure quality, & amplify the voices of those with lived experience in the policies and practices of residential and community services for youth and families. Learn more here: www.togetherthevoice.org/bbi

05/17/2023

🎉 Join us in celebrating Parent Peer Support Workforce Day!
Today, on May 17th, 2023, we take a moment to honor the incredible supporters of families.

Here at the ACRC 2023 Conference in beautiful Minneapolis, MN, we recognize the immeasurable value of parent peer support. 😊 This day reminds us of the powerful impact parents can have on one another, offering guidance, understanding, and encouragement.

🙌 Let's appreciate the dedicated individuals who go the extra mile to uplift and empower fellow parents.

Whether it's through sharing experiences, providing valuable advice, or simply lending a listening ear, their support makes a significant difference in the lives of families everywhere.

Take a moment today to acknowledge and thank those who have been there for you on your parenting journey. Use and share your gratitude for the incredible people who have made a positive impact in your life.
Together, we can build a supportive community that strengthens families and nurtures growth.

Let's celebrate Parent Peer Support Workforce Day with love, appreciation, and a commitment to supporting one another!

05/16/2023

BBI is at the Association Of Children's Residential Centers Conference in Minneapolis, MN this week! Loving the energy and amazing people at the Family Partners Pre conference this afternoon. It’s not to late to join! See you soon 😀

05/12/2023

CRUZ The Dame thank you so much for being a part of the BBI Leaders of Color Summit in Atlanta, GA. Please continue to use your voice to inspire those around the world. We are so thankful to have you present! 🫶🎉 Wishing you continued success!

Thank you,
BBI Leaders of Color

05/11/2023

We're excited to announce that the Building Bridges Initiative Leaders of Color Summit has officially kicked off in Atlanta, Georgia! We're taking a break from our sessions to enjoy some delicious food from Yunique Tacos Food Truck, a fantastic black-owned business here in Atlanta. It's important to us to support local businesses and celebrate the diverse and vibrant communities we're here to serve.

Follow us for updates on the summit and more exciting news about how we're building bridges and making a difference in communities across the country.

05/11/2023

Exciting news! The Building Bridges Initiative is proud to announce the kick-off of the second Leaders of Color Summit. This year they are meeting in Atlanta, Georgia from May 10-12, 2023.
This summit is a platform for leaders of color to come together to discuss strategies for building bridges across different communities. We're thrilled to bring together some of the brightest minds from all over the country to create a positive impact. Follow us for updates and stay tuned for more exciting news!

05/08/2023

BBI is happy to announce Phase 2 of the Family Partner Project. We are so thrilled that an all-new cohort of programs will be able to participate in this FREE technical assistance opportunity!

Click here for more detail and to APPLY! https://conta.cc/3nIKmhy

Phase TWO of the Family Partner Project   We're pleased to be offering Phase TWO of the BBI Family Partners Project - an Exciting and FREE technical assistance opportunity!   Photo by Christina @ wo

05/02/2023

Friends, please see the information below for an opportunity from our partners at the Office of Refugee Resettlement as they continue to work towards effective strategies to meet the enduring needs of Special Populations and Unaccompanied Children. This event on Friday, May 12th is geared towards organizations that are interested in and able to consider working with ORR as they develop and strengthen their network of providers to meet this complex and growing need.

More details here: https://conta.cc/44lrWDM

You don't want to miss this.     Dear BBI Partners and Friends, Please see the information below for an opportunity from our partners at the Office of Refugee Resettlement as they continue to work tow

04/24/2023

Most states have reduced their use of congregate care and rely more on kinship care — goals that align with the Family First Prevention Services Act, according to a new AAP report. However, improvements are needed to implement policy reforms.

Family First offers federal funding for states that place fewer children in out-of-home care and place those who are in out-of-home care into family-like settings. There have been major concerns about systemic abuse and other mistreatment in many congregate care facilities (e.g., group homes, residential facilities and other institutional settings).

The report Family First Implementation: A One-Year Review of State Progress in Reforming Congregate Care was a partnership with the University of Chicago’s Chapin Hall, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization focused on children, youth and families.

Read more here: https://conta.cc/3L4huI5

You don't want to miss this.     Dear BBI Partners, Just a quick note to share the most recent report put out by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), in case you haven't had a chance to see it ye

03/08/2023

We at Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) are excited to be participating in numerous ways at the upcoming ACRC Conference in Minneapolis, MN in May. Our esteemed colleagues will be presenting several workshops on topics such as, "A Theory of Change for Residential Interventions: Enhancing and Evaluating Quality", and "Family Partners as Essential Staff in Residential Interventions: Developing Capacity". In addition, several of our Family Partners will participate in the pre-conference opportunity and BBI will host a vendor table.

There are several ways you can be involved - Click here to find out more: https://conta.cc/3L4AvMm

Register to attend AND Support Family Partners at the ACRC Conference     ACRC Conference Registration is now open!   We at Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) are excited to be participating in numerou

02/14/2023

We at Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) are excited to announce the launch of two new products that we believe will be highly beneficial to all who participate. Informed by years of research and drawing from countless hours of dedicated service from our partners, these offerings will transform your work in order to improve the lives of families and youth. Click the link below for more details.

https://conta.cc/3S5YhJ9

Find out more about our Train the Trainer Curriculum and the Transformational Change Readiness Toolkit   Introducing Two NEW Exciting and Engaging opportunities that can support your transformation!

05/26/2022

What are the Five and why do they matter so much to positive youth development? This video explains it all!

Youth Thrive believes that all young people should be valued, loved, and supported to reach their goals. Check out our new video series on how Youth Thrive seeks to achieve these goals and create better futures for all young people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPOJ_W2RN6s

05/26/2022

Calling all Family Partners! We'd love for you to join us at the ACRC Conference for an exciting pre-conference opportunity on Monday, July 11, 2022 in Louisville, KY - "Supporting Family Partners as Leaders: A World-Class Brainstorming Session with BBI & ACRC."

REGISTER SOON and receive FREE Conference Registration and a $700 Travel Stipend for Family Partners (limited availability).

Click here for details: https://conta.cc/3yZMJzu

Family Partners, you don't want to miss this! ACRC Preconference Opportunity Supporting Family Partners as Leaders: A World-Class Brainstorming Session with BBI & ACRC Monday, July 11, 2022 - 1-5 p.m.

05/16/2022

Building Bridges Initiative joins with FREDLA in celebrating the first national Parent Peer Support Provider Appreciation Day on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.

Virtual Event information below...

Join us on Wednesday, 5/18/22, at 12 pm Eastern to celebrate the first national Parent Peer Support Provider Appreciation Day!
The event will be held via Zoom and Facebook live simultaneously.
Join using the Zoom link below or on FREDLA's page.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86798942630?pwd=cFFIWlMwVzVyN0tBQ1JtZGpRVUlZUT09