Imprint Author

Leonard Burton

Leonard Burton is president and CEO of the Center for the Study of Social Policy.

12/2/2025

Leading with Purpose in Polarized Times

As a preteen growing up on Detroit’s east side, I used to say I was “one demerit away from being written off” by society. Luckily, my English teacher, Ms. Liggins at Whitney Young Middle School, chose to believe in me.

Child Welfare Leaders Forge National Child Safety Partnership

10/14/2020

What It Means to Abolish Child Welfare As We Know It

A family holding hands. Photo courtesy of Center for the Study of Social Policy

The trauma and harm to families and communities caused by intrusive child welfare system interventions is well documented by multiple sources – to the degree that many argue the system can be more accurately viewed as the family policing system, family regulation system, or foster care industrial complex.