This event is hosted by If/When/How.

Join us on March 5 to bring together birthworkers, doulas, social workers, and lawyers to get training and share knowledge on supporting families in preventing family policing and mitigating harm. 

Reproductive justice advocates must challenge family policing. Family policing subjects people to racist, classist surveillance through mandated reporting and coerced drug tests while separating and punishing families instead of providing resources.

We will focus on building skills so that everyone can advocate and support people who experience the threat of Child Protective Services (CPS) involvement, especially those people who anticipate having a positive drug test at birth.

If/When/How’s Helpline Counsel Noran Elzarka will guide a discussion with Ashley Albert, an activist and parent advocate directly impacted by family policing who works as a Peer Trainer & Support Specialist at Movement for Family Power, Legal Fellow at the Disability and Civil Rights Clinic Saskia Valencia, and Founder and Director of Project LETS Stefanie Lyn Kaufman-Mthimkhulu.

By the end of this training, you’ll connect with others in the If/When/How Network — birth workers, advocates, doulas, lawyers — and gain tangible ways you can show up and care for families before state and court interference without relying on CPS’ “recommendations,” and team up with doulas and birth workers in situations where a parent fears policing and punishment.