


The Harrisburg campus will play a key role in commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, and April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, by helping to present a free webinar on domestic violence and child protection in communities of color.The campus is working with Black Administrators in Child Welfare to present the online experience. The group is the nation's oldest member organization devoted to ensuring that the racial, ethnic and cultural experiences of black children and families are recognized and served in the child welfare system.The free webinar “20th Anniversary of VAWA: Implications for Racial Equity in Child Welfare Policy and Practice” will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 29. It will involve nationally recognized policy experts in child welfare and domestic violence, and is ideal for child welfare practitioners and policymakers. Those who wish to participate may register by clicking here.The webinar will draw attention to the unique impact of domestic violence on African American children, families and communities and provide an overview of VAWA, with a discussion of its impact on child welfare. Webinar participants will be able to pose questions.“Learning how current federal policy on domestic violence affects children and families in African American communities is a critical step toward developing best practice responses that achieve racial equity in child welfare,” Dr. Sharon L. McDaniel, chair of Black Administrators in Child Welfare, said.The webinar is just one event planned on Widener’s Harrisburg campus to mark the 20th anniversary of the Act, Interim Co-Dean Robyn L. Meadows said. The school will also present its own fall symposium focused on the legislation, including an examination of the effects of domestic violence on women of color.“We are pleased to webcast this April program from our campus and provide a forum for discussion of these critical issues,” Meadows said. “We hope the public will take advantage of this valuable, free resource.” For more information about the webinar, contact Starla Williams, director of multicultural affairs, pro bono activities and externships on the Harrisburg campus at sjwilliams@widener.edu or 717.541.1992.Standard Disclaimer for External Links