Florida State University’s Stoops Center for Communities, Families, and Children (Stoops CFC Center) has recently launched a roaming exhibition that highlights and amplifies the experiences of mothers affected by substance use and engagement with the child welfare system during an event at the Palm Beach County Library.
The exhibition, titled “Photovoice Study on the Intersection of Substance Use, Child Welfare, and Family Preservation,” symbolized the commencement of a wider public education initiative throughout Palm Beach County, emphasizing a participatory research approach identified as Photovoice.
“Employing photography and narrative empowers individuals, especially from marginalized communities, to capture their experiences and convey their viewpoints,” stated Ellen Piekalkiewicz, the principal investigator for the project and head of the Stoops CFC Center.
In the exhibition, mothers acted as co-researchers and chronicled their journeys through photography and conversation.
“Their insights revealed pressing themes concerning supportive care, collaborative practices, coordinated services, and relational healing — each emphasizing the personal stories frequently overlooked in systems-based discussions.”
— Ellen Piekalkiewicz, director of Stoops CFC Center
“Their insights revealed pressing themes concerning supportive care, collaborative practices, coordinated services, and relational healing — each emphasizing the personal stories frequently overlooked in systems-based discussions,” Piekalkiewicz remarked. The study consisted of mothers primarily from Palm Beach County, whose experiences will shape its conclusions and recommendations.
The study’s outcomes highlight the essential need for trauma-informed, adaptable, and family-focused methods in child welfare policy and practice. The 21 participants articulated their hopes, challenges, and insights, contributing crucial recommendations for systemic enhancement.
The exhibition includes photographs from two of the women who took part in the project.
Heather Howard, chief strategy officer at the Hanley Center and an associate professor at Florida Atlantic University, played a key role in initiating the project with the center’s personnel.
“The findings underscored the significance of supportive, collaborative, well-coordinated care and relational interactions between the child welfare worker and the mother-infant pair,” Howard noted. “When creating a safety plan, the child welfare worker can engage cooperatively with the mother to support parenthood and offer hope for recovery and family preservation.”
The exhibition, backed by the FSU Florida Institute for Child Welfare and the FSU Stoops CFC Center, will continue its journey throughout Palm Beach County, nurturing dialogue and understanding among community members, service providers, and policymakers alike.
“The launch event attracted a vast audience of supporters and researchers, all dedicated to promoting family well-being through research-informed practices and human-centered care,” Piekalkiewicz remarked. “Our aspiration is that the traveling exhibition will enlighten an even wider audience about the lived experiences of mothers with children in the child welfare system.”
For further details about the Stoops Center for Communities, Families, and Children, visit cfc.fsu.edu.
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