Guiding Values

To be authentic is to be genuine, reliable, accurate, and true to oneself. We engage as our authentic selves to be human with one another and connect with ourselves and one another through this humanness. In truth-telling circles, participants are encouraged to share and witness experiences and wisdom by leaning in from the heart (emotion, compassion) rather than the head (intellect).

To provide a caring process is to provide protection and attention to avoid injury. Participants should feel that their needs are provided for, and their truths are received with interest and concern. Truth-telling circles embody care in sharing testimony, witnessing testimony, and acting upon the shared truth.

Compassion is displayed in concern for the suffering of others. Compassion is felt when a person’s experience is acknowledged and validated. Truth-telling circles acknowledge and validate that anyone that has touched the child welfare system, regardless of role or experience, has been impacted and has a truth to share.

Human connection is formed between people when they deeply feel heard, seen, known, and valued. This sense of closeness and belonging can be experienced when engaging in vulnerable conversations in supportive relationships. Truth-telling circles may build, transform, and heal relationships, and catalyze connections to take action for change.

Courage is the ability to have strength in the face of pain or grief. Courageous processes ask participants to be brave as they speak, listen and act. Truth-telling circles invite participants into courageous conversations, leaning into relationships, to unpack how the child welfare system impacts children, families and communities.

Curiosity is a trait related to inquisitive thinking, when one has a strong desire to know or learn something. Curiosity is possible when listeners suspend judgement, remain open-minded to others’ views and experiences, listen deeply, and demonstrate a willingness to learn and unlearn. In truth-telling circles, giving testimony and witnessing truths are essential and create a communal and welcoming space.

Duality is the contrast between two concepts or aspects, such as identity. Duality, like mutuality, acknowledges that more than one perspective, or truth, can be held. Truth-telling circles acknowledge that child welfare systems have both helped and harmed individuals and ask participants to envision how duality can be held and reconciled. Truth-telling processes acknowledge the duality of being conscious of the harm the child welfare system can and does cause, while benefiting from the system as a professional.

Generosity is the act of showing kindness and readiness to give to others. Generous processes are ready to provide more to participants; generous participants are prepared to offer more to the process. Truth-telling circles are generous in supporting the sharing and witnessing of testimony; participants are generous in sharing wisdom and truth.

To heal is to alleviate distress or anguish and restore health. Healing processes are restorative for participants’ physical and mental health and well-being; healing cannot begin until the harm inflicted is acknowledged. Truth-telling circles create space for healing through sharing and witnessing truths to catalyze transformative change in child welfare.

Honest processes are sincere, truthful, fair, and well-intentioned. Through sharing and listening to truths, there likely will be stories of trauma, pain, suffering, belonging, comfort and goodness. Truth-telling circles allow honest self-reflection to receive truths and envision solutions.

To have humility is to be free of pride or arrogance; to be humble. Engaging with humility elicits the attitude that no individual is better or more correct than another. Truth-telling circles ask that participants humbly listen to alternative perspectives.

Inclusive processes provide equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized. The wisdom and experiences of all impacted persons must be cultivated and listened to in the process of re-designing and re-imagining child welfare. Truth-telling circles create space for everyone to speak their hidden and unhidden truths and encourage those witnessing these truths to listen deeply.

Mutuality, felt through a shared feeling, relationship, or action, emphasizes coming to and standing on common ground. Truth-telling circles invite all truths, wisdom, and identities, and recognize that multiple and conflicting truths, wisdom, and identities can be held. Even though we may be in a space with those who are from various walks of life, we are coming to the space for the same reason; to share our truths and envision a better way of caring for children, families, and communities.

Openness is exemplified by engaging with a lack of restriction or concealment, with non-judgment and without preconceived notions or intentions. Truth-telling circle participants assume a posture of openness and acknowledge that listening to others’ truths may be painful and discomforting and may not reflect one’s truths. Multiple truths may be told, and each experience can be validated.

Power is an authority given to a person or body that provides the ability to influence or control others’ behaviors or actions. The act of truth-telling encourages individuals to assert their power by challenging the dominant narrative. Truth telling circles acknowledge the power differential inherent between the child welfare system and the communities it aims to serve and seeks to restore power to communities.

Respectful processes hold regard for the feelings and ideas of all individuals and recognize the qualities and abilities of all perspectives. Truth-telling circles are organized around the value of mutuality and respect.

Self-awareness is the conscious knowledge of one’s character, feelings, motives, and desires. Self-awareness requires individuals to engage in open and honest reflection of themselves. Truth-telling circles ask that participants examine their actions and beliefs toward the child welfare system and how they can be part of a solution.

To be accountable is to justify or explain actions and decisions and to be responsible for one’s behavior. Accountability in truth-telling circles requires an awareness and understanding of the historical and current systemic racism and oppression present in the child welfare system. Accountability is not a mechanism for blaming or shaming. Instead, it is an opportunity for honest and transparent conversation to catalyze connection and understanding.

Time is a precious resource; with the concept of time, we plan or arrange when something should be done. In truth-telling, the dominant culture’s rigid concept of time is not the guiding construct. Instead, in truth-telling circles, those telling their truths set the pace. This means that adequate time and space are provided for each participant to give testimony and for those to bear witness and to honor the truth tellers. Circles are built to hold space for the stories and learnings of each participant.

To have trust is to believe in the reliability, truth, and strength of someone or something. Processes built on trust ask participants to have confidence in the reliability and strength of the process and one other. Truth-telling circles welcome participants to share their truths with confidence that the testimony received will be leveraged for change and that those who witness truths will work earnestly for justice.

To be vulnerable is to welcome that truth sometimes requires a sacrifice of comfort. While a core principle of truth-telling is to do no further harm, participants may experience discomfort when sharing and witnessing truths. Personal growth occurs in the space of uneasiness. Critical self-reflection supports an ability to move forward in authentic relationships with one another.