Resource Library

The Center for States designs products, services, and learning experiences to increase understanding and awareness, and build knowledge and skills. The Center focuses its attention on developing products and resources on several core organizational and practice topics.

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The Center for States provides research assistance and responds to information requests on building capacity in child welfare.

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Showing 1 - 15 of 167 resources
PDF

Learn the definition and find information about normalcy and the reasonable and prudent parent standard in the PL 113-183.

Publication Year 2016
Video

Frankie is 14 years old and lives with his sister, brothers, and moms. He and his sister were adopted when they were 2 years old and 4 years old, respectively. He loves spending time with his aunts, uncles, and cousins and loves being part of a big family.

Publication Year 2016
Video

Learn about negotiating boundaries, communication, support, and normalcy from a young person formally in foster care and her adoptive parents.

Publication Year 2016
PDF

See statistics on increased risks for LGBTQ youth and learn how child welfare systems can use healthy approaches when working with LGBTQ children and youth.

Publication Year 2016
Video

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

Publication Year 2024
Webinar

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

Publication Year 2017
PDF

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

Publication Year 2015
PDF

Use this guide for tips, and strategies concerning the critical role leadership plays in creating and sustaining positive organizational culture.

Publication Year 2019
Video

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.

Publication Year 2017
PDF

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.

Publication Year 2017
PDF

Examine current research and how best to build organizational capacity in five areas, and learn about possible challenges and solutions.

Publication Year 2018
PDF

See how workforce satisfaction and retention are improved by emphasizing the positive differences that are made in the lives of children and families.

Publication Year 2017
PDF

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

Publication Year 2021
PDF

This manual examines the roles and responsibilities of child protective services (CPS) workers. It describes the purposes, key decisions, and issues of each stage of the CPS process and strategies for casework supervision, training, and support.

Publication Year 2018
Webinar

Available on CAPLearn; registration required.
Parts 1, 2, and 3 offers best practices information on responding to sex trafficking of children and youth in child welfare, and building knowledge on the special needs of trafficking victims and youth at risk of becoming victims.

Publication Year 2015