What are the Child and Family Services Reviews?
The Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs) are designed to ensure that state child welfare systems provide quality services to children and families. These reviews identify practice strengths and challenges in the areas of safety, permanency, and well-being. They also examine identified systemic factors that affect the child welfare systems’ ability to help children and families achieve positive outcomes.
The CFSR has two phases: the statewide assessment, where states self-assess child welfare programs and practices; and the onsite review, which includes case reviews and interviews with child welfare system stakeholders and partners. After the onsite review, states determined not to be in substantial conformity are required to develop a Program Improvement Plan (PIP) to address areas needing improvement. This structure is embedded in a continuous quality improvement framework.