As technology continues to evolve, child welfare agencies across the country are exploring how new tools and systems can simplify complex work, improve communication, and address longstanding challenges. When implemented thoughtfully, technology can create efficiencies that help the child welfare … Read More
Resources
How Can Plans of Safe Care Help Infants and Families Affected by Substance Abuse?
Overview In 2024, almost 46,000 infants in the U.S. were referred to child protective services with prenatal substance exposure, and over a third of children who entered out-of-home care had parental alcohol or drug use as an identified reason for … Read More
How Do Family-based Residential Treatment Programs Help Reduce Substance Use and Improve Child Welfare Outcomes?
Every day, millions of parents in recovery from substance use disorders show that healing is possible and that families can thrive. Recovery improves relationships, prevents child removal, reunites families, and strengthens communities. Yet too many families still face barriers to … Read More
What are examples of organizational initiatives that create a workplace culture around wellness?
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
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
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
Child and Adolescent Injury and Violence Prevention
Locating and Using the Data Why Collect and Analyze Injury and Violence Data? Nearly 43,000 children and adolescents aged 0-19 died in the U.S. in 2023, and more than one-thirdof those deaths (37.1%) were attributed to injuries and violence. Injury … Read More
Adoption and Guardianship Preparation Training (AGPT)
Designed to prepare prospective adoptive and guardianship parents deepen their awareness and understanding about themselves and their children and to help build a strong foundation and lasting commitment for families who pursue adoption/guardianship. The curriculum is divided into four sessions, … Read More
30 States Have Ended the “Orphan Tax,” Preserving Survivor Benefits for Foster Youth
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today announced that 30 states have now ended, or substantially reformed, the practice of diverting Social Security survivor benefits from foster youth. The action … Read More