Overview Organizational wellness is the responsibility of everyone in an organization — from human resources and executive leadership to supervisors and frontline staff. In a child protection agency, where work is inherently complex and emotionally demanding, the organizational culture rests … Read More
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ACF Announces New Best Practices to Strengthen Ombudsman Offices and Improve Child Welfare Outcomes
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) today announced new best practices to help states strengthen child welfare ombudsman offices and use feedback from children, youth and families to improve child welfare systems. “Ombudsman offices can give states an independent … Read More
What Roles Can Elders Play to Help Children Thrive and Prevent Them from Entering Foster Care?
The respected role of Elders Elders occupy a highly respected role in American Indian/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian cultures. They step into this role because of family and community recognition, not based on age or self-definition. Revered for their wisdom, … Read More
Restrictions for the Modern-Day Child: Act 456, No. 162,Implementing Social Media Restrictions for Minors Under 18 in Louisiana
I. INTRODUCTION Louisiana has historically been an outlier among the states for its adherence to the civil law tradition in private law. However, the recent Secure Online and Age Limitation Act places Louisiana in the footsteps of many common law … Read More
Parental Substance Use as Child Maltreatment
Substance use disorders (SUDs)—including the misuse of drugs or alcohol—that affect parents and other caregivers can have negative effects on the health, safety, and well-being of children. All States, the District of Columbia, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and some … Read More
Using Your Voice: A Guide for Youth on Participating in Case Planning
As a youth in foster care, you should be informed and help make decisions related to what happens to you. Adults should not make decisions about your placement and your future without your input. They should include, assist, and guide … Read More
What Is Child Abuse and Neglect? Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms
The first step in helping children who have been abused or neglected is learning to recognize the signs of maltreatment. The presence of a single sign does not necessarily mean that child maltreatment is occurring in a family, but a … Read More
Designing Rural Responsive post-Permanency Services
Overview Designing services that effectively meet the needs of individuals and families in rural communities has posed challenges across multiple sectors. People living in these areas frequently encounter significant barriers when trying to access essential supports, including medical and behavioral … Read More
Building Sustainable Post-Permanency Support Systems: A Strengths-Based Framework for Child Welfare Leaders
Post-permanency programs help adoptive, guardianship, and kinship families build on the stability, commitment, and relational strengths that made permanency possible. Child welfare leaders need to create a coordinated support system that honors family expertise, responds early, and reinforces resilience before … Read More
The Hidden Realities of Post-Adoption Estrangement: Why Post-Permanency Support Must Prioritize Relationships
Adoption and guardianship are often celebrated as a joyful conclusion to a child’s journey through the child welfare system. But neither adoption nor guardianship is the finish line it is the beginning of a lifelong relationship. While legal permanency marks … Read More