Women In Transition Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign School of Social Work

1
Women In TransitionPoor Peoples Economic Human
Rights CampaignSchool of Social Work Social
Transformation

• Claiming Our Rights,
• Reclaiming Our Children
• (CORROC)

2
WITs Mission

• To work to provide a world where everyones
  economic human rights are provided.
• To end poverty!!!!

3
What is WIT

• A grassroots organization run by and for poor
  people
• Poor people
• Welfare recipients
• Homeless
• Low income/working poor
• Anyone who has to choose between basic human
  needs

4
History and Evolution

• Reaction to welfare reform in 1998
• Started by a welfare recipient, who is now a
  social worker
• Hooked up with PPEHRC in 2003
• Started using human rights framework

5
What is CORROC?

• What is neglect?
• Virginias story..
• Unjust Child Removal Take Our Poverty, Not Our
  Children
• Over 50 of children are removed because of
  neglect
• The deck is stacked against poor families
• Using an economic human rights framework led to
  the birth of CORROC
• Convention on Economic, Social Cultural Rights
  (right to food, housing, healthcare, etc.)
• Convention on Rights of a Child

6
CORROCs Components

• Educate Empower
• Educate parents on their rights
• Educate parents on the policies and procedures of
  the child welfare system
• Support
• CORROC Posse
• Legislative/Policy Change

7
Organizing for CORROC

• Documentation of Stories
• Truth Commissions
• Projects of Survival (the Posse)

8
Collaborations

• KY Blue Ribbon on Adoption
• Race, Community Child Welfare Initiative
• Parent Advocacy Group
• Citizens Foster Care Review Board

9
WITs Suggestions

• Reallocation of Funds
• Opening Family Courts (transparency)
• Cultural Competency
• Those people.
• Dont impose your values
• Social Workers joining movement
• Change in SW curriculum that leads to change in
  practice (HR framework)
• The best interest of the family

10
Thank You

• Any questions?
• Any comments?