National Conference to Convene Child Welfare and Immigration Professionals in Chicago

Denver (March 28, 2008)

The Migration and Child Welfare National Network (MCWNN) will host the second National Forum related to current issues affecting families involved with both child welfare and immigration systems from Tuesday, April 1, through Thursday, April 3, in Chicago. The conference will be held at the Club Quarters Central Loop Hotel.

This National Forum, titled The Intersection of Immigration and Child Welfare; Emerging Issues and Implications, will bring together professionals from the legal community and child welfare agencies. The forum will begin with a half-day, intensive session, Preparing to Meet the Needs, geared toward educating child welfare workers about immigration services, immigration and customs enforcement, and other considerations for their work with children and families.

The following day’s roundtable will touch upon issues of research, policy, practice and collaboration across national and international agencies. In conjunction with the National Forum events, the MCWNN has partnered with the National Immigrant Justice Center, based in Chicago, and will be hosting a joint session called Joining Forces: Ensuring the Safety and Well-Being of Immigrant Children, on the morning of April 3. This unique opportunity will allow participants to discuss issues affecting both child welfare workers and immigration attorneys.

“Many families today are dealing with both the immigration system and the child welfare system — yet the professionals representing each of these systems rarely work together,” said Sonia Velázquez, vice president of the Children’s Division of the American Humane Association. “The Migration and Child Welfare National Network represents an important step toward collaboration between the two systems, which will lead to better service for families and communities.”

The National Forum is supported by the American Humane Association, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Casey Family Programs, University of Illinois at Chicago Jane Addams School of Social Work, Bridging Refugee Youth and Children’s Service project at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Loyola University Chicago and the American Bar Association, among other partners. The Illinois Department of Child and Family Services has provided valuable help in planning and convening this forum.

To learn more about the work of the MCWNN, the National Forum or becoming a network member, please visit www.americanhumane.org\migration.

About American Humane

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link® between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane’s regional office in Los Angeles is the exclusive authority behind the “No Animals Were Harmed”® end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane’s office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. The American Humane® Certified™ farm animal program is the nation’s original independent certification and labeling program for humanely raised food (www.thehumanetouch.org). American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America’s “Best in America” Seal of Approval, has met the stringent standards for financial efficiency and accountability required by the American Institute of Philanthropy to qualify as a Top-Rated Charity, and has received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s premier independent charity evaluator. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.

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