Child welfare systems in the United States have long struggled with racial inequities. In Episode 18, Stacey speaks with guests Jerome Strickland and Wendy Campau about solutions to these challenges. Together, they explore how systemic barriers affect families and how communities can lead the charge for change.
This episode highlights the work of The Contingent Arkansas in forming Every Child Arkansas and its North Little Rock Thriving Families initiative. The conversation explores how racial disproportionality affects Black and multi-race children in counties like Pulaski. Jerome and Wendy share insights on how these inequities impact families and how data and measurable progress are helping to create a more equitable system.
Building Trust to Break Down Barriers
This episode emphasizes the significance of valuing perspectives from individuals with lived experiences. Additionally, they discuss the critical necessity of ensuring that professionals receive comprehensive training. Wendy explains how true collaboration, not just token efforts, can make a difference. Jerome shares how community-driven solutions are reducing family separations and increasing reunifications. Listen now to learn how these strategies support transformation from the ground up.
Stronger Systems for Families
We believe in creating systems that empower families, uplift communities, and support child welfare professionals. Through partnerships with federal, state, and community organizations, we focus on addressing systemic barriers, fostering equity, and achieving sustainable, long-term outcomes.
Listen to the episode to hear more.
SoundCloud | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
Meet Our Guests
Jerome Strickland, Executive Director of The Contingent‘s Arkansas Branch
Jerome is the Executive Director of The Contingent’s Arkansas Branch, which launched in February 2023. He leads the Every Child Arkansas initiative and Thriving Families of North Little Rock. Before joining The Contingent, Jerome built a global career in healthcare and consulting, specializing in market research, customer experience, analytics, and marketing.
He spent 11 years at Cardinal Health, holding leadership roles that advanced the company’s trajectory while living in Ohio, Shanghai, and Little Rock. An entrepreneur and a church minister, Jerome brings a unique blend of strategic and community-focused leadership.
Jerome holds an MBA in Decision Analytics and Marketing from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and in Healthcare Strategy from China Europe International Business School. He also earned a Bachelor’s in African History from Washington University in St. Louis.
Born and raised in Arkansas, Jerome is deeply committed to his community and global child welfare efforts. He lives in Little Rock with his wife, two children, parents, and Golden Doodle.
Wendy Campau, Management Consultant at Public Knowledge®
Since 2022, Wendy has been a management consultant at Public Knowledge®. Wendy is responsible for providing change and implementation support to child welfare jurisdictions across various project areas, including agency assessment, financing, continuous quality improvement (CQI) practices, and the effective use of data toward achieving sustainable program improvements and outcomes.
Wendy has 25 years of experience working with state and local child welfare agencies, from front-line specialists to statewide leadership. Her experience includes work on behalf of multiple program areas, including child protection, foster care, adoption/guardianship, and juvenile justice.
Wendy received her Master of Social Work from Michigan State University. She enjoys the outdoors, music, and time with family and friends when not working.
About the Podcast
Launched in 2023, the Igniting Impact Podcast highlights our client’s and partner’s important work. We hope that this podcast drives impactful conversations that foster connections and progress in the field. One of our core values at Public Knowledge® is Impact. We created this podcast around this fundamental principle because it is essential to our work. Impact to us means, “We approach every engagement with our energy focused on identifying the right goals, outcomes, and strategies. And we each have a personal responsibility to make a positive impact on our projects and our world.”