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“The Wicked Problem” at Children and Families First
Alyssa Fried and Danielle Imhoff
Children and Families First❖ Established in 1884
➢ “To ensure that all who have fallen into distress…shall be wisely helped to regain self-support.”
❖ Mission: ➢ Children & Families First helps families develop
solutions to meet challenges and embrace opportunities.
❖ Vision:➢ Communities where: children are nurtured and safe;
individuals are valued; and families are strong.
Our focus: foster care❖ 600 foster care children in Delaware❖ 50 in CFF’s program❖ CFF works with 60 different families❖ There are 6 social workers that work at CFF facilities
The Wicked ProblemOverall: Homelessness of teenage girls in Delaware
In terms of CFF: There are not enough families in Delaware, especially New Castle County, that want to act as resource families for teenage girls.
“Her” Story
Why it developed❖ Disrupted adoption or parent-child conflict❖ New Castle County’s lack of a similar community
for support➢ Parents do not want to take foster children in when they live
in urban areas, since they can easily “get into trouble”❖ Stigma against teenagers, especially teenage girls
➢ Fear of constant drama➢ Possibility of pregnancy➢ Commonly known as disrespectful or difficult
The organization’s strengths❖ Unique programming
❖ Employees and their devotion
❖ Reputation and history in Delaware
❖ Growth under Leslie Newman
The organization’s weaknesses❖ Most of its weaknesses are not internal but come from
the nature of being a nonprofit funded by the state➢ Lack of funding for new programming ideas
■ i.e. Following up with children after they are out of the foster care system
➢ Lack of money and time for employees to implement new projects
Opportunities we see for CFF❖ Broadening their network of families and clients
❖ Changing their marketing strategies as technology evolves
❖ Targeting new groups of potential foster parents
Threats we see that CFF faces❖ Lack of funding for their new ideas
❖ New Castle County
❖ Stereotypical teenage girl problems
❖ Stigmas against teenagers and teenage girls
Wicked Problem:Homeless teenage girls in Delaware
In foster care
Marketing/Recruitment of families
Support group for girls
Support group for families
Aging out of foster care
Marketing Goals❖ Need families first before anything else can be
implemented.
❖ CFF is already well versed in resource family support.
❖ Main Objective: show that the teenage years are fundamental and that by participating as a foster care family, you can really positively shape someone’s life. Families can help place someone on the right path.
Our idea: Marketing to “Empty Nesters”❖ Empty Nesters: know how to deal with teenagers and are used
to having people in their home❖ CFF has never marketed to these types of people before
“Empty nesters typically become foster parents because they want the kids to have someone to call mom and dad. They are
accustomed to raising kids, and it becomes second nature to them. It’s something they can’t see themselves without.”
- EmptyNestMag.com
Help me find my inner beauty.
Every teenager deserves a chance. Become a foster parent today! http://www.cffde.org/services/positiveparenting/fostercare.aspx
Show me that I matter, too.
Every teenager deserves a chance. Become a foster parent today! http://www.cffde.org/services/positiveparenting/fostercare.aspx
Change her life. Host a teenage girl this holiday season and show her what true family means.
http://www.cffde.org/services/positiveparenting/fostercare.aspx
Give someone the gift of love this holiday season...
Marketing Strategies❖ Make the ads personal and emotional
to evoke memories
❖ Redefine the way that people think of foster care❖ Utilize social media for both parents and their children❖ Put ads up in places parents go a lot: grocery store,
gym, church, etc.
Her Story: A Happy Ending...
Learning Outcomes❖ Learned about non-profits
➢ Learned about foster care and adoption, specifically❖ Improved communication skills through emails,
interviews, and phone calls❖ Learned to think creatively and with a purpose❖ Learned that there aren’t “solutions” to
social/wicked problems, but ways to alleviate them and begin to fix them
