Public child welfare systems are designed to support children and families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. However,  for many families, especially those who sit at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities, the system can replicate harm rather than create healing. Creating equitable public child welfare systems requires us to name and address the layered realities families experience. Intersectionality offers a framework that strengthens decision-making, improves engagement, and ensures culturally responsive services for communities that have historically been underserved.

Public child welfare systems are built on a legacy of policies, practices, and procedures designed to protect children and support families. But over time, many agencies find themselves constrained by outdated methods and bureaucratic processes that no longer serve today’s complex realities. Social workers face increasing demands, data systems lag behind modern technology, and decision-making frameworks don’t always reflect current research.

When attorneys or agencies search for expert witness services, they’re often thinking about that critical moment in the courtroom. But expert testimony doesn’t begin on the stand. It’s a detailed, behind-the-scenes process that requires strategy, experience, and precision. At rfc21, we’ve built our reputation as trusted public child welfare expert witnesses who bring clarity to complex situations.