This guide is designed to support administrative leaders in states and other jurisdictions in using data to assess and identify ways to improve their service array.

Identify data sources to explore agency responsiveness to the community.

Explore how independent verification and validation services for title IV-E agencies are used for child welfare information systems projects.

Learn how jurisdictions across the country respond to human trafficking cases and explore the latest developments in effective intervention.

Discover how to examine and drill down into state data to build understanding of what’s happening in your child welfare system.

Learn about a framework for applying safety science to promote a culture of safety in child welfare agencies.

Explore how data reported in AFCARS about youth who run away from state custody can be used to inform interventions.

This publication looks at buzzwords in the context of words or phrases commonly used in child welfare reporting and documentation that can be subjective or carry negative connotations, and offers strategies to minimize their negative impact.

Buzzwords: Moving to Behavioral Descriptors doodle video is a short, animated video that follows a child involved in a child welfare investigation. The video describes what buzzwords are and illustrates the impact they can have on children and families. It also demonstrates how to recognize buzzwords and offers strategies for transforming buzzwords into objective, behavior-based descriptors.

Identify data sources to explore how well your state’s case review system is functioning.

Reflect on past results to inform plans for future improvements.

Use this helpful reminder of Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) measures to support CFSR planning and implementation activities.

Access this project management resource to plan for the CFSR Statewide Assessment. 

Better understand your state’s performance on statewide data indicators related to the safety and permanency of children served by the child welfare system. 

Learn how to engage young people and families with lived expertise in the CFSR process at a child welfare agency.