“It Takes a Village”: Shifting the Child Welfare System from Punishment to Support
By Pasqueal Nguyen
As a mother of seven children, parent mentor, and member of multiple organizations supporting youth and families, I know firsthand how critical it can be for families to get support from their neighbors and communities — especially when they are overburdened with stress and pressure from different parts of their lives. Although the stated goal of the child welfare system is to promote the well-being, permanency, and safety of children and families, the unfortunate current reality is that systems separate families and often default to punishment rather than support. Contrary to popular belief, most children are removed from their homes and families not because of abuse, but rather because of issues that stem from poverty or lack of support. I experienced the child welfare system on two separate occasions, so I know how important it is for families to be supported rather than punished, and I believe that moving to a more supportive system is possible.
The first time my family entered the child welfare system, I had been in a terrible car accident that put me in a coma. When I woke up, I learned that my children were taken out of my custody and were placed in the foster care system. Further complicating the situation, I became addicted to the pain medication that was prescribed to me after the car accident. During this time, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in Louisiana helped me navigate treatment centers and find a place for me to heal — exactly the kind of support that we need more of. After time in inpatient care, I continued my treatment at home and truly began to recover. I was able to overcome my addiction and I was reunited with my six children. However, this was not the end of our journey with the child welfare system.
Three years later, I found myself trapped in a vicious cycle of addiction and realized I could not properly care for my children. I made arrangements with the judge overseeing my family court case to temporarily place my children in more adequate homes while I worked to better my physical and mental health. All six of my children already knew where they would be staying, but due to the inflexible nature of the system, law enforcement officers still came to my house and physically removed my children. It was a traumatizing moment for my children and myself, and there was no reason to make the removal process such a horrifying and stressful situation. Despite the traumatic removal process, I had a bigger and better support system this time around to help me navigate the foster care system. I had a healthy relationship with my children’s temporary caregivers, and I attended rehab. With support from my network, I was reunified with my family five months later.
Throughout this period of my life, I saw how it really does take a village to raise a family. Like many other single parents, I didn’t receive the proper financial or emotional support to adequately provide for my children. I wish I’d known at the time what I tell fellow parents now: that there are supports and others who are willing to walk alongside you in this journey. People who will not judge you harshly, and who truly care about the wellbeing of not only your children but you as a parent as well. We need to work together because we are better together.
Too many children are removed from their families by the child welfare system due to issues stemming from poverty rather than abuse. The fact remains that families should not have to enter the child welfare system in order to receive basic aid and assistance — they should always have access to the support and services they need to thrive. As a community and a society we have a duty to care for one another and ensure that families are supported, and youth are allowed to reach their fullest potential. Transforming the child welfare system from one that relies on punishment to a system that truly heals families through support and empathy is one step in the right direction.
I am now actively engaging with partners and my community to transform the child welfare system. As a parent partner, I help parents in the child welfare system navigate their journey, while also working to establish a nonprofit in Louisiana that will increase support for parents through peer teaching programs. While I know change won’t happen overnight, I am optimistic about the future of child welfare. I’ve seen firsthand how adequate support for parents and families allow them to grow and thrive together — and that is worth fighting for.
Pasqueal Nguyen lives in Youngsville, Louisiana, and is a dedicated family advocate and mother of seven children. Pasqueal currently serves on the Extra Mile Parent Advisory Council and is a Parent Partner Mentor there as well. In addition to her local community involvement, she is also a member of two national networks — the Birth Parent National Network (BPNN) and the Birth and Foster Parent Partnership. She is an advisor for Youth Law Center, training future states in the Quality Parenting Initiative, a Certified Peer Support Specialist for the Louisiana Department of Health and hospitals, and a trainer in the 5 protective factors through the Children’s Trust Fund Alliance. She has also started a non-profit, the Bayou Lotus Corporation, where she trains people in her state on the 5 Protective Factors. Pasqueal is also a constituent consultant that serves on the Poverty Policy Workgroup with Casey Family Programs, and has presented on many National and International conferences about the research and findings from the group. Most recently, she has been appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Council on Disability Affairs. Pasqueal is passionate about helping other families in accessing needed services and support in her local community.
