CWEL

02/19/2026

When we responded to the federal government’s request for a program to build an equitable child welfare system, we had no idea what would happen.

Though the new administration has since defunded us for standing up for social justice, these 16 graduates of our RiseUp program prove that not all is lost. These resilient and ambitious child welfare leaders are still out there paving the way for a better child welfare system, equitably and compassionately changing the lives of children and families.

Hope is still on the horizon, and we honor the changemakers who are bringing it.

Thank you, , for believing in advancing a new era of child welfare—one built on sustainability, diversity, and justice for all. Your partnership with us in this RiseUp fellowship will leave a legacy for generations to come. ❤️

02/13/2026

"I would never have the opportunity to create systems change if it wasn’t for this fellowship."

NEW BLOG POST from Leadership Development Coach Phoenix Santiago:
https://www.cwel.org/workforce-blog/the-power-of-fellowship-for-child-welfare-leaders/

After an abrupt end to our work in December, our team made plans to carry out the wrap-up of our 12-month RiseUp cohort: graduation. 16 RiseUp fellows graduated on January 29 in a remarkable display of resilience and commitment to child welfare transformation.

In our latest blog post, “The power of fellowship,” our RiseUp Leadership Development Coach Phoenix Santiago reflects on the resilience of these changemakers and the lasting legacy they will leave for the future of child welfare.

02/06/2026

Though CWEL was defunded in December, we are so proud of our first RiseUp cohort for the amazing work they put in over an intense 12 months. 🤎

On January 29, 2026, we celebrated the remarkable achievement that 16 of 17 New Jersey fellows successfully completed the fellowship, including several ambitious Organizational Change Projects to build a stronger workforce in New Jersey child welfare. 👏

The CWEL RiseUp program was an answer to a big problem in the child welfare system: leaders are often burnt out and ill-equipped to address nuances and tough topics faced by children and families.

Sustainable system transformation depends on strong, supported leaders who are prepared to navigate complexity and lead with intention, and that's who our RiseUp program was designed to develop.

These phenomenal leaders reflect not only individual dedication to children and families, but the strength of fellowship itself.

Fellows, go forth and lead!

01/16/2026

✊

Change starts with us. This Monday, MLK Jr. Day comes at a time of increased stress in our country, specifically for Black and Brown communities. Unfortunately, these struggles are not new—Black and Brown folks have been facing injustice in America for centuries.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed that anyone can be a great leader in the face of oppression, and Families Rising agrees—you don’t need a massive platform or impressive resources to make change. Change starts with your community. It starts with you caring about and standing up for the person in front of you.

Families Rising stands with our Black and Brown communities and honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders like him. Because “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

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12/15/2025

It is with great sadness that we share that our grant from the Administration for Children and Families, which supported the Center for Workforce Excellence and Leadership (CWEL), has been canceled effective December 8th due to our steadfast commitment to recognizing the diverse needs of our child welfare workforce and serving them equitably.

This decision is devastating for our staff, partners, and the more than 200 social work students across six universities who relied on CWEL stipends to fund their education. But our mission has not changed. We will continue to stand with children, youth, families, and the workforce that supports them.​

If you believe equity should never be defunded, share this post, tag a friend, and stand with us. And if you’re able to give this holiday season, a one-time $50 donation to our parent organization, Families Rising, can make a real and immediate difference for our team and the communities we serve: https://web.charityengine.net/wearefamiliesrising

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