Fordham University created the James R. Dumpson Chair in Child Welfare Studies in 1980 to honor the life time commitment of James Dumpson to children of our cities by utilizing the full resources of the University and its educational and research resources as a means to improve the quality of life for vulnerable children, especially those in New York City.

PURPOSE:
The Chair focuses its teaching, research, and advocacy on the children of the city of New York who are most in danger of losing their rights or of not enjoying an adequate quality of life. The Chair facilitates the application of existing research and service methodologies in the child welfare field through education and action.

ISSUES & SOCIETAL CONCERNS:
The Dumpson Chair can and does help to address issues relating to children, their families and communities. Through the Chair and other related programs at the Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham focuses on:

* Training and support programs for child care workers and others in social service system.
* Design and use contracts among parents, children, and child care agencies.
* Training programs for citizen boards, judicial experts, and others involved in the independent review process.
* Developing a family support system and programs to reverse anti-family practices and policies affecting children at risk of removal from their homes.

EXPECTATIONS & OUTCOMES:
In establishing the Dumpson Chair, Fordham expects that the University's Graduate School of Social Service would:

* Create and be recognized as a center of advocacy for poor children and for the children of ethnic and racial minorities as a focus of teaching and synthesizing research on disadvantaged children.
* Provide technical assistance for publication and dissemination of information.
* Advocate and influence social policies and programs affecting families and children.
* Impact educational systems, both at the bachelor's and doctoral level - engaging students in research and focusing their education on the vulnerable child.