- \n
- Meet the ICFW\n
- \n
- New MSW\/MPH Interns<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Program Design and Implementation\n
- \n
- Social Connectedness Toolkit<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Building Brains with Relationships<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Research and Evaluation\n
- \n
- Recent ICFW Publications<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Community Engagement and Systems Change\n
- \n
- Introducing \u201cPartnering for Systems that Work\u201d<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Learning-Focused Evaluation and Storytelling \u2013 Child Welfare Lessons Learned<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- ICFW at the Prevent Child Abuse America National Conference<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Strong Families, Thriving Children, Connected Communities Announces Its Steering Committee<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Recent and Upcoming Events<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nMeet the ICFW<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Headshot](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/icfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/384\/2025\/09\/Georgia-Ecclestone-1.png\")
<\/figure>\nGeorgia Ecclestone is a Master of Social Work student at Concordia University-Wisconsin. She joined the ICFW team for her final internship beginning in August 2025 and ending in April 2026. Georgia obtained her bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in December 2021 where she studied forensic science and criminal justice. She is currently employed at the Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center (LRCAC) as a family advocate and an Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) coordinator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Georgia also holds a private detective license in the state of Wisconsin. Prior to her work at the LRCAC, she worked as a deputy medical examiner in Ozaukee County. Georgia is passionate about the child welfare system and providing trauma-informed care and advocacy to those who need it most. She is excited for the opportunity and experience the ICFW has to offer her. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Headshot](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/icfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/384\/2025\/09\/Chelsea-Miller.png\")
<\/figure>\nChelsea Miller (she\/her\/hers) is an MSW\/MPH student at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a concentration in Community and Behavioral Health. Driven by an interest in primary prevention and early intervention for childhood trauma, she approaches her work through a macro-level lens on the social determinants of health \u2013 particularly how trauma both impacts and is shaped by systemic inequities. She is especially interested in advancing racial and economic equity as essential pathways to prevent trauma and foster healthier, more resilient communities. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nProgram Design and Implementation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Institute develops, implements and disseminates validated prevention and intervention strategies that are accessible in real-world settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Social Connectedness Toolkit<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Benefits](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/icfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/384\/2025\/09\/Benefits-of-Connectedness.png\")
<\/figure>\nBy Meghan Christian<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is it that so many are isolated and disconnected if social connection is crucial to thriving? Social connectedness is incredibly place-based and personal. This creates challenges in replicating what may work in one place to another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Social connectedness is a human need and benefits our financial, physical, and emotional health. Oppositely, isolation has been compared to smoking 15 cigarettes per day. Times with friends and companions has decreased by about 14 hours per month in the last 20 years. What’s happened and what can be done?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What might you need more of in order to connect? Take the poll!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Strong Families, Thriving Children, Connected Communities\u2019 (SFTCCC) Social Connectedness critical pathway group developed a customizable toolkit, Social Connectedness Toolkit: Life & Leisure for Well-Being <\/em>that helps connect, inform and guide people who seek to decrease isolation and loneliness. The goal is for people and organizations to have a usable framework to promote conversations and actions meant to increase social connectedness. Join SFTCCC<\/a> today to get access now!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nBuilding Brains with Relationships<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
By Meghan Christian<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Building](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/icfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/384\/2025\/09\/BBR-November-14.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nFor over a decade ICFW has been working on shifting practice, from focusing on symptoms to asking \u201cwhat happened here?\u201d and \u201chow might we prevent what happened here?\u201d ICFW also helps other organizations do the same thing: use strategic learning and guide best practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oconto, Juneau, Rock, Racine and Milwaukee County home visitors, foster parents, family support workers and ongoing case managers came together in August to expand their knowledge of brain architecture and functioning, resilience and galvanize their belief in the power of prevention. They also have the chance to regroup soon virtually to best support adult learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Building Brains with Relationships<\/a> is a full day, in-person interactive workshop offered by ICFW. The August workshop was hosted by Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development\u2019s extension site in Glendale, WI as is the upcoming November 14th<\/sup> workshop (9am-4pm). The price (FREE) and location, just minutes from beautiful Lake Michigan, make it a great day trip for individuals and teams. To register, log into your PDS account or start a new account here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another custom-to-customer training is coming up at Sojourner Family Peace Center. This will be the 2nd<\/sup> custom training of the year. This is a continuation of the last few years that we\u2019ve been supporting Sojourner Family Peace Center implement strategic learning and scale academy-style trainings for new staff from all the partnering agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nResearch and Evaluation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Institute accelerates the process of translating knowledge into direct practices, programs and policies that promote health and well-being, and provides analytic, data management and grant-writing support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recent ICFW Publications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Janczewski, C. E., Mersky, J. P., & Kaiser, D. (2025). From foster care to incarceration: A prospective analysis of the National Youth in Transition Database.<\/a> Child Abuse & Neglect<\/em>, 164<\/em>, 107469.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Background: Children in foster care often face significant adversity in adulthood, including a heightened risk of incarceration. Yet, it is uncertain whether adult incarceration rates differ between youth who age out of foster care, youth who are reunified with their families, and those adopted or placed with a legal guardian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Objective: This prospective study investigates the prevalence of adult incarceration for youth in care at age 17 and examines whether the risk of incarceration varies by foster care exit type, both overall and among different racial\/ethnic groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more about this publication.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCommunity Engagement & Systems Change<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Institute develops community-university partnerships to promote systems change that increases the accessibility of evidence-based and evidence-informed practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Introducing our New Services to Partner for Systems that Work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Partnering For Systems That Work<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Complex challenges like neglect, poverty, and social isolation can\u2019t be solved by one sector alone. At the Institute for Child and Family Well-Being (ICFW), we partner with communities to build prevention systems that last. We bring structure, learning, and strategy to help changemakers turn local energy into lasting solutions. Building prevention systems takes more than good ideas. It takes practical tools, strong partnerships, and the right support at the right time. That\u2019s where we come in. Through technical assistance, evaluation, and network-building, we help changemakers turn learning into action and align their efforts for greater impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our Technical Assistance Services<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/icfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/384\/2025\/08\/Gear.png\")
<\/figure>\nCommunity Systems Change Support<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Systems don\u2019t change because of a plan; they change when people work differently together. We help communities move from good ideas to shared action, building the local capacity to lead and sustain change. Helping cross-sector partners align around a shared vision to take action on the root causes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/icfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/384\/2025\/08\/Lightbulb.png\")
<\/figure>\nLearning-Focused Evaluation & Storytelling<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turn learning and data into action. Use stories to drive change. We help communities use strategic learning to make better decisions, strengthen alignment, and tell the story of their impact. Our approach blends reflection, adaptation, and storytelling with evidence and research to support real-time improvement.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"Network](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/icfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/384\/2025\/08\/Network.png\")
<\/figure>\nNetwork Building & Strategic Collaboration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Networks don\u2019t just spread ideas, they build power. We help changemakers build shared language, trusted networks, and aligned strategies across places and systems. Through learning communities, roundtables, and field-level tools, we strengthen the infrastructure that enables collective impact.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Who We Work With<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
We partner with changemakers who are building better systems for families\u2014those ready to lead change from within their communities. Community-based organizations, local governments, public agencies, coalitions, and national networks turn to ICFW to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Reimagine how systems show up for families<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Build lasting capacity for learning, adaptation, and coordination<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Break down silos to tackle complex challenges together<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Embed equity, trust, and community voice into their strategy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What Guides Us<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
We are grounded in tested systems change principles and practice-based evidence. At the heart of our approach is relationship building\u2014trust, collaboration, and connection are the foundation for lasting systems change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Systems change happens when relationships shift, not just policies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Lived experience belongs in leadership<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Equity is not an add-on\u2014it\u2019s foundational<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Learning drives progress<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Communities already hold the wisdom needed for change<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What Success Looks Like<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Families are thriving\u2014their needs are met earlier, and fewer are overloaded.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Communities lead, guided by evidence, accelerated by relationships.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cross-system work aligns, accelerates, and strengthens local strategy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- People closest to the challenge\u2014practitioners, lived experience experts, and community leaders\u2014drive the work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s Work Together<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
We help changemakers turn momentum into action and ideas into aligned strategy. We bring the tools, partnership, and perspective needed to build systems that truly support families. See our work in action:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s connect and explore what we can build together.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nLearning-Focused Evaluation and Storytelling \u2013 Child Welfare Lessons Learned<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
By Megan Frederick-Usoh<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Workforce Innovation & Inclusion Critical Pathway (WII) calls for innovation, inclusion and a commitment to workforce stability. As such, ICFW partnered with the Child Welfare team at Children\u2019s Wisconsin to understand how they successfully reduced staff turnover since their employment crisis of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Child](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/icfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/384\/2025\/09\/Child-Welfare-Lessons-Learned.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nOver the last several months, we facilitated a reflective process rooted in storytelling and guided by Tamarack\u2019s Most Significant Change method. Through a series of focus groups, and conversations with leadership, we listened to staff and supervisors share their perspective of the staffing crisis, what changed in the last four years and why it mattered. Ultimately, this partnership sought to surface the lessons behind the progress, what compels staff to stay in challenging roles and what supports are still needed. Several themes emerged, but those most influential were, strong and consistent supervision, flexible work arrangements and culture of transparency and care. These themes were supported by direct quotes and personal stories from staff:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Learning-Focused Evaluation and Storytelling \u2013 Child Welfare Lessons Learned<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Community Engagement and Systems Change\n
- Building Brains with Relationships<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Program Design and Implementation\n
- New MSW\/MPH Interns<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"Three](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/icfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/384\/2025\/09\/PCAA-3.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Three](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/icfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/384\/2025\/09\/PCAA-2.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Presentation](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/icfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/384\/2025\/09\/PCAA-1.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Map](\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/icfw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/384\/2025\/09\/SFTCC-Map.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n