Family-Child & Protection Chair
Brief info
Kelis Houston is Founder of Village Arms. A Christ-centered organization that supports African American families impacted by child protection. Village Arms’ focus is family preservation and reunification through parenting education, in-home visits, resource acquisition and advocacy with a cultural base.
Village Arms was created in direct response to the over representation and disparate treatment of African Americans across the child welfare service continuum.
Kelis’ personal mission is to address and help eradicate these disparities through legislative action, youth and family advocacy, policy reform and community engagement.
She currently serves as cultural consultant to child welfare staff, students
and service providers. Her training is designed to bring a new level of
cultural awareness to those working for and within the African American
community. To achieve clearer lines of communication and a sensitivity to
culture. Kelis began her career in social services over a decade ago and has since been a voice for marginalized communities.