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Our Mission

Project Family First (PFF) is driven by a deep commitment to ensure the well-being of Black families entangled in the child welfare system. Our founder, Tori Algee, is a former Child Welfare Worker with a unique perspective. She has witnessed firsthand the racial and class-based biases ingrained in the Oregon child welfare program. She observed the glaring inadequacies in its policies, procedures, and practices and finally their lack of motivation to address them.

Our focus is on preventing children from entering the foster care system when they can be best served at home. By addressing issues like implicit bias and providing comprehensive assistance, we aim to keep families together and create a stronger, more supportive community.

The Racial Disparities

The statistics are undeniable. The HHS National Incidence Study has shown since the early 1980s that children of all races and ethnicities are equally likely to be abused or neglected. However, Black children have been significantly more likely to be represented in foster care. Nationally, Black children are represented in foster care at 1.64 times their rate in the national population. Oregon’s numbers are even worse, with Black children being twice as likely as white children to be in foster care and American Indian/Alaskan Native children three times as likely.

A Broken System

These disparities don’t stop at the representation in foster care. Studies reveal racial biases at every stage of child welfare decision-making, from referral sources to child welfare workers. Black children often receive inferior services, are placed in more homes, and stay in foster care longer than their white counterparts. They are less likely to be reunited with their parents, and their parent’s parental rights are more frequently terminated.

Our Commitment

Families being monitored by child welfare typically don’t know their rights or have an advocate to turn to for help. Project Family First (PFF) is here to fill that void. We are committed to being the voice and support system for Black families navigating a system that is often stacked against them. We are here to advocate for fairness, justice, and equity and to empower families with the knowledge and resources they need to overcome the systemic challenges they face.

 

Join us in our mission to create a more just and equitable child welfare system for all families in Oregon and beyond. Together, we can make a difference.

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Assistance in Accessing Community Resources and Services:
We provide referrals to culturally informed resources, empowering them with knowledge and the ability to access needed resources. We also believe in the importance of preserving cultural heritage and strengthening the bonds within the community. Our cultural connections services assist foster youth and families in reconnecting with their roots and heritage.
Advocacy and Equity Promotion:

We actively work to drive policy and system changes to combat the overrepresentation of Black children in the Oregon foster care system. Our advocacy efforts aim to create lasting, systemic change that benefits all children in Oregon.

Support for parents as they navigate child welfare:
We understand that facing the foster care system can be daunting. Our organization provides personalized support, guidance and advocacy to parents and caregivers, helping them understand the intricacies of the system and access the resources needed to keep their children out of foster care or facilitate a safe return home.
Educational Workshops:
These services would be designed to increase awareness of the disproportionate representation of Black children in the Oregon foster care system and provide culturally competent resources and support to families and communities.