Alan J. Dettlaff | Lightnews

Alan Dettlaff

@alandettlaff.com

4K followers 830 following 510 posts

Co-founder of the upEND movement to abolish the family policing system | Writer and co-facilitator at Toward Liberation, an abolitionist learning group | www.alandettlaff.com | www.towardliberation.com

Videos

Psychology 49%

Public Health 16%

Posts Replies Media Videos

Pinned

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Sep 15

NEW FROM ABOLITIONIST PERSPECTIVES IN SOCIAL WORK!

SPECIAL ISSUE: Thinking and Practicing Abolition Through Palestine

All articles are open access and available to download now: apsw-ojs-uh.tdl.org/apsw/index

Purple journal cover with title of journal and special issue.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 10d

A new special issue from Critical and Radical Social Work is out now on "Social Work in a Time of Genocide." I'm so grateful for spaces like this and to the guest editors and authors for their commitment to speaking the truth.

Open access here: bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/view/journal...

Cover image of the journal Critical and Radical Social Work next to the title of the special issue: Social work in a time of genocide. Guest edited by Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, Abeer Musleh and Stéphanie Wahab.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 10d

NEW ARTICLE from me and Maya Pendleton - "Can Social Work Be Abolitionist?"

There are 50 free downloads available as of now, but if those run out at some point, please feel free to be in touch if you'd like a copy.

www.tandfonline.com/eprint/UGNXG...

Can Social Work Be Abolitionist?

This paper questions whether social work, traditionally associated with social control and behavior modification within carceral systems, can align with the broader goals of abolitionism. Abolition...

www.tandfonline.com

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 11d

Join Social Work for Palestine for our first Power Hour of 2026 and learn more about our first social work specific BDS campaign! Please help us share!

January 8, 2026, 12:00 PM PST / 3:00 PM EST

REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/SW4PBDS

Image of a red and green poppy against a black backdrop with the text, "Practicing the S in BDS. Join us to learn about the launch of Social Work for Palestine's first BDS campaign and to take action for people powered sanctions towards a free Palestine.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 16d

More evidence that providing direct, material assistance to families who need it significantly reduces child maltreatment.

www.michiganpublic.org/health/2025-...

Study: Rx Kids decreasing infant maltreatment allegations in Flint

A new study finds maltreatment allegations involving infants in Flint have dropped dramatically since the start of a stipend program for new moms.Rx Kids provides every pregnant woman with $1,500 duri...

www.michiganpublic.org

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

Maya Schenwar @mayaschenwar.bsky.social · 16d

Abolitionist journalism is more critical than ever, under intensifying fascism. I'm grateful that @theappeal.org's work will continue as part of the Truthout Center for Grassroots Journalism!
Check out the inaugural newsletter & new stories:
us17.campaign-archive.com?e=[UNIQID]&u...

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 17d

NEW in Abolitionist Perspectives in Social Work: "Slow Violence and the Struggle to Remember Resistance: A Review of Joshua Clark Davis’s Police Against the Movement."

Open Access Download: apsw-ojs-uh.tdl.org/apsw/article...

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · 18d

This is an excellent video essay from @skipintroyt.bsky.social on how copaganda operates in the Family Policing System. Featuring comments from upEND Movement's Communications Director, Sydnie Mares.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mjys...

How SVU hides its worst Copaganda

YouTube video by Skip Intro

www.youtube.com

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

upEND Movement @upendmovement.org · Nov 22

upEND Movement, MJCF Coalition, and Mothers Outreach Network signed onto an amicus brief to appeal the decisions in the State v. Nieves and State v. Cifelli, and the appeal was upheld by the New Jersey Supreme Court.

buff.ly/TXzEyne

Amicus Brief Successful in New Jersey Supreme Court - upEND Movement

These cases highlight the intersections of family policing, the criminal legal system, and the inherent violence of mandated reporting.

upendmovement.org

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Nov 21

The solution to a lack of safe housing is actually quite simple. Just imagine if we took the funds we currently use to pay foster parents, and instead used it to provide housing for families who need it. It can really be that simple.

www.thenation.com/article/soci...

“Nobody Blames the Landlord. They Just Take Away the Kids.”

All too often, when parents can’t afford safe housing, the solution child welfare services offer is putting their children in foster care.

www.thenation.com

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

Maya Schenwar @mayaschenwar.bsky.social · Nov 19

Movement journalism isn't just a nice thing to have: It's essential to expose injustice, uplift movements, and share visions for our collective futures.

Amazing @femmfeministe.bsky.social and I wrote about why resourcing journalism is important, especially right now!

truthout.org/articles/the...

The Right Funds Its Media. Can Progressive Philanthropy Meet the Moment?

Rigorous, principled, independent journalism is an essential part of movement building.

truthout.org

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Nov 18

Stay tuned for an announcement about our next book selection, as well as some reflections on this year's reads from me, connease, and Maya. TL is always free, so sign up and join us anytime: www.towardliberation.com

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Nov 18

This was our last meeting of the year, but if you haven't had the opportunity to join us yet, we'll be picking up in January with a new book and some exciting new conversations. I hope you'll consider joining us.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Nov 18

Last night, we had such a beautiful meeting of Toward Liberation where we met with author Mali D. Collins to discuss her book, Scrap Theory: Reproductive Injustice in the Black Feminist Imagination. Everyone was engaged and people were really moved by both the book and the discussion.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Nov 15

Join us on Monday, November 17 for our final Toward Liberation meeting of the year featuring Mali D. Collins, author of Scrap Theory. As always, if you weren't able to read along with us this month, you're still very welcome to join.

REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/TLNovember2025

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

upEND Movement @upendmovement.org · Nov 12

Despite the struggles the community faces at Montrose Grace Place, it’s a JOYFUL place. ❤️ Love is contagious there.

And we hope you’ll get to experience it through the portrait of the youth featured in upEND’s short doc #AVisionOfGrace. buff.ly/EtK0G9t

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Nov 11

It is a mistake to think democrats caved. It is a mistake to think democrats are cowards. The quiet truth is that democrats want the same thing republicans want. There are not two parties. There is one empire. The sooner we understand this, the sooner we will move toward liberation.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Nov 10

Two new articles are out in Abolitionist Perspectives in Social Work this week. The abstracts are below and the full articles are available for free, open-access download at the journal's website: apsw-ojs-uh.tdl.org/apsw/issue/v...

Reposted by Anna O. Law, Alan J. Dettlaff

Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · Nov 10

I don't think it's cowardice. I think that they are OK with what the GOP is doing. The sooner folks reconcile with this, the better.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Nov 7

Join the Social Work Activist Collective on November 20 for a conversation on overcoming hopelessness and fear. For our last meeting of the year we wanted to create a space to share stories of resilience and ideas for where we can find collective strength. Join us!

REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/SWACNov20th

Flyer for November 20th event, Overcoming Hopelessness and Fear. Information about the event included in the text post is overlaid on an image of the roots of a tree.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Nov 5

I have very little faith that electoral politics is the way to bring about real change, but i hope this sends a message that pandering to the right, throwing trans people under the bus, and supporting a genocide are not winning strategies.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Nov 4

New in Abolitionist Perspectives in Social Work. Always open access. Read and download here: apsw-ojs-uh.tdl.org/apsw/article...

Title of the article: "“Where Else Could I Really Go?” Transcarceration as a Frame for Understanding the Role of Skilled Nursing Facilities for Older People Experiencing Homelessness."

Abstract: Skilled nursing facilities are an established destination for older adults who need assistance with activities of daily living that surpass what is accessible and feasible in the community. Homelessness in later life can exacerbate social, financial, and medical disparities that restrict access to quality community-based care. Existing research on homelessness in skilled nursing neglects the documented experiences of care provision with older people experiencing homelessness. Through a multi-case theory building approach using medical charts (n = 38) from a mobile outreach team and interviews (n=30) with cross-sector care professionals, this study examines the conceptual fit of transcarceration to understand skilled nursing’s role in the holistic care of older people experiencing homelessness. Findings highlight empirical overlap of key constructs: (1) anticipated loss of autonomy, (2) expulsion, and (3) containment, as well as (4) case exceptions where specialized programming and informal care insulated patients from risk. Findings illuminate pathways for social workers to support community-based and institutional innovation, and help pinpoint foci of local, state, and federal advocacy to realize liberatory care for older people experiencing homelessness.

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Nov 3

This is a devastating story of a grandmother who did everything possible to care for her grandchildren and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services who put up roadblock after roadblock and ultimately took her grandchildren away from her.

www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Nana kept her grandkids out of foster care. Then the foreclosure notice arrived.

Millions are caring for kin to keep them from foster care. Rochelle gave USA TODAY an inside look at the difficulties many of them experience.

www.usatoday.com

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

awkword @awkword.bsky.social · Oct 30

"Abolitionist work and abolitionist practice is a valid form of academic inquiry that not just schools of social work but all educational institutions should be studying"

- Alan Dettlaff 
@alandettlaff.com

AWKWORD INTERVIEWS: Alan Dettlaff, Co-Founder, upEND Movement

YouTube video by AWKWORD

youtu.be

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Oct 29

Join the Social Work Activist Collective (@swactivists.bsky.social) on Thursday, October 30, to learn about the Boycott, Divestment, & Sanctions (BDS) movement and how you can get involved! REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/SWACOct30th

Text that reads: Are you wondering where to begin in the fight for social justice? Join us as we spend the evening together discussing resistance in the midst of the current political climate. Learn about BDS and its efforts in achieving freedom, justice, and equality for the Palestinian people. We hope that you can use this opportunity to engage with this Palestinian-led movement and its work promoting boycotts, divestments, and economic sanctions against Israel. We hope to see you all there!

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Oct 27

Join us at Toward Liberation on November 17th for a virtual discussion of "Scrap Theory: Reproductive Injustice in the Black Feminist Imagination" featuring author Mali D. Collins. As always, all are welcome (even if you haven't been reading with us this month). REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/TLNovember2025

Cover image of Scrap Theory and a photo of Mali D. Collins, along with information about the event included in the post.

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

PEN America @penamerica.bsky.social · Oct 24

PEN America condemns the cancellation of a graduate-level course at the University of Houston, “Confronting Oppression & Injustice,” as an egregious example of the censorship spreading across public colleges and universities in Texas. pen.org/press-releas...

Cancellation of Graduate Course at University of Houston a Blow to Academic Freedom

Cancellation of graduate course at University of Houston shows blatant disregard of faculty expertise and a blow to academic freedom.

pen.org

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

Inside Higher Ed @insidehighered.com · Oct 23

@uh.edu Cancels ‘Confronting Oppression & Injustice’ Course

The course’s axing is yet another example of curricular censorship at Texas public universities. https://bit.ly/4748W06

#EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd

Reposted by Alan J. Dettlaff

TEN DEMANDS (The Abolitionists) @tendemands.bsky.social · Oct 22

Yes, it took some time, but we promised Google couldn’t hold us back…

TEN DEMANDS finally has a home, again — for #TenForJustice (the demands) and all our easy calls to action!

Check it out: thisisawkword.com/ten-demands

Alan Dettlaff @alandettlaff.com · Oct 21

Join the Social Work Activist Collective on Thursday, October 30th at 7:00 PM ET for a discussion on the Boycott, Divestment, & Sanctions movement and why every social worker should be engaged in this.

REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/SWACOct30th

Add to Home Screen

Light up
your news

Add to Home Screen

Light upyour news

Sign in to Lightnews

Sign up to start reading

Connect Bluesky

Connect with Bluesky

Light up
your news