On September 8, 2025, Brightpoint’s Ahlquist Center for Policy, Practice & Innovation convened a virtual event: Redirecting the Call: Rethinking Hotlines and Family Support. 

This was a powerful conversation on how we can create community-based supports that meet families’ needs without unnecessary child welfare involvement.

We dug into complex, urgent questions:

How do mandated reporting requirements influence the use of hotlines and warmlines?
What resources and approaches can connect families to help before a hotline call is made?
How do we ensure mandated reporters are also mandated supporters when poverty is the driving factor?

We welcomed over 250 participants from across the country, including 20 states, including representatives from community-based organizations, advocacy groups, and government agencies.

Together, we’re building momentum toward compassionate, community-driven solutions that support families.

You can find webinar resources and the recording below.

Check out our Issue Summary and Resource Guide from the webinar.