This is episode two of a two-part conversation with Shrounda Selivanoff. We are continuing our ongoing series on Termination of Parental Rights. If you haven't already, please listen to the first episode where Shrounda and I talk about her family's experience of TPR and how they had to fight to maintain custody of her grandson and protect her son's rights from being terminated.

In this episode, we talk mostly about House Bill 1747, which was passed in Washington state in 2022. Most fundamentally, the law requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to rule out guardianship before considering Termination of Parental Rights and adoption. While this is largely a policy conversation, we gourd it in what matters the most, which is family, and belonging, and our right to be connected.

Here is the link to HB 1747 if you would like to learn more.

Washington State Legislature

As we move into our production pause, I'd like to say Thank You! I'm beyond grateful for everyone who has listened, joined the podcast club, and been part of the incredible community we've built. You are why we make this show. Let's stay connected. Please follow Imagination Factory on LinkedIn, Instagram (@imgnfactory), or email me directly at create@imgnfactory.org. See you soon...

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In this journal episode I talk about the impact that decision overload can have on us, particularly for those of us who are introverts, and how I keep my energy for the most important things. When you take a minute to think about the quantity of decisions we make every day, week, month, and year it can be staggering. And considering the weight of some of these decisions, it becomes clear that there is real value in auditing where we spend our mental and emotional energy.

I share four ways that I've found helpful to minimize the number of decisions I make and their impact on my energy. These include self-awareness, delegation, simplification, and letting go. I'll leave you with a journal prompt to consider the practice of letting go.

• What decisions can I let go of to create more space for my future to emerge?

You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google Forms

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In this episode we return to our ongoing series on Termination of Parental Rights. This is part one of a two-part conversation with Shrounda Selivanoff. Shrounda is the Chief of Parent Representation Initiatives with the Washington State Office of Public Defense. She has a long history as an effective policy director and respected advocate for parental rights. She also brings her own personal experience of CPS, child welfare, and TPR as a mother and a grandmother. In part on of our conversation, Shrounda shares her story of fighting for her son's rights as a parent and for her grandson's right to know and be connected to his family. In part two of our conversation we'll dive into the policy she worked in WA and the implications it has in the ongoing conversation about a world without TPR.

Here are links to the article that Shrounda referenced about safety, permanency, and well-being as well as HB 1747.
Oregon Child Welfare Review Assessment Findings Report, 2023
Washington State Legislature

You are invited to join the Proximity Podcast Club, a community of people supporting one another through their process of becoming who they want to be in this work. We have two options to make this community accessible. We meet every Monday at 9am ET and 9am PT (12pm ET). You can join the club by filling out this form and we'll send you the meeting invite. Proximity Podcast Club - Google Forms

Please connect with me, Matt Anderson, on LinkedIn - Matt Anderson | LinkedIn