The Children’s Bureau (CB) conducts Child & Family Services Reviews (CFSRs) periodically to review state child welfare systems. These reviews are the federal governments’ main compliance and enforcement mechanism, but they also serve as a critical component for promoting a … Read More
Children's Bureau
State Child Welfare Data Linkages Descriptive Study Technical Report: Study Background and Design
Introduction The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), first authorized in 1974 and reauthorized regularly since then, requires the examination of a wide range of topics related to the incidence of child abuse and neglect with the aim of … Read More
Child Welfare: Purposes, Federal Programs, and Funding
The Work of Child Welfare Agencies Children depend on adults—usually their parents—to protect and support them. The broadest mission of public child welfare agencies is to strengthen families so that children can depend on their parents to provide them with … Read More
QIC-EY Lessons Learned: Fundamental Insights to Engage Children and Youth
Launched in October 2021 and funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau, the Quality Improvement Center on Engaging Youth in Finding Permanency (QIC-EY) is charged with advancing child welfare programs … Read More
Advocating For Reasonable Efforts For LGBTQIA+ Youth In Foster Care
Attorneys representing children and youth in foster care cases have an affirmative duty to advance equity for their clients. This responsibility is particularly important when providing legal representation to LGBTQIA+ youth, who experience disproportionate and disparate child welfare outcomes. NACC … Read More
Supporting Timely and Successful Reunifications
Safe and timely family reunification is the primary permanency option for most children and youth who have been removed from their parent’s care. All children belong with family, and family separation is a traumatic experience for both children and parents. … Read More
Child Welfare Hearing Quality Research: What Legal Professionals Should Know
As a legal professional who participates in child welfare court hearings, you can benefit from understanding how the quality of the hearing affects the case process and outcomes. Having this information can help you prepare for and participate in hearings. … Read More
Family First Prevention Services Act Website
Signed into law on February 9, 2018, as a part of the Bipartisan Budget Act (HR. 1892), Family First includes long-overdue historic reforms to help keep children safely with their families and avoid the traumatic experience of entering foster care. In … Read More
Child Abuse Prevention Month Toolkit
National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of communities working together to help families thrive and prevent child maltreatment. During the month of April and throughout the year, communities are encouraged to increase awareness about child and family well-being, … Read More
Every Kid Needs a Family: Safely Reducing Reliance on Institutional Care Placements for Children in the Child Welfare System
Since the codification of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 and the earlier passage of the Indian Child Welfare Act in 1978, federal law and child welfare values support placing children in the least restrictive settings with … Read More