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.

If you are interested in our series and learning experiences, please use our search bar or explore our topics.

Explore our resources below and filter them as you need.

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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 31 - 45 of 52 resources
PDF

Explore this tip sheet to learn about child welfare agency and court responsibilities related to APPLA provisions and strategies to achieve permanency.

Publication Year 2017
PDF

This handout is part of the series, “Perspectives on Normalcy: Videos and Discussion Questions.” It is designed to facilitate discussion about the issues raised in the video, “Kinship Adoption: You Get a Call, ‘Do You Want These Kids?’”

Publication Year 2016
PDF

Explore additional resources on how to increase commitment to partnering with people with lived expertise in child welfare. 

Publication Year 2022
PDF

Read this resource to learn about direct financial assistance and emergency financial assistance available to young people.

Publication Year 2023
PDF

Explore strategies for redesigning the child welfare service array to meet the needs of youth and young adults currently and formerly in foster care.

Publication Year 2023
PDF

This “Service Array Data Inventory Sample Worksheet” (Worksheet) is a companion tool to A Data-Driven Approach to Service Array Guide developed by the Capacity Building Center for States. To use the Worksheet, you can print it out and fill in the blank squares, or use the questions as a guide.

Publication Year 2019
PDF

Explore tips and strategies to effectively engage and sustain the involvement of families and youth at the agency level. 

Publication Year 2019
PDF

Explore sex trafficking prevention best practices for implementing provisions of the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (P.L. 113-183).

Publication Year 2015
PDF

Read about the value of collaboration as the key to prevention, safety, and long-term stability for children and families.

Publication Year 2021
PDF

Explore tips to help promote youth mental health and wellness services, jurisdictional highlights, and links to relevant resources and tools.

Publication Year 2023
PDF

Adapt  policies and practices to meet the growing needs of LGBTQ children, youth, and families. 

Publication Year 2016
PDF

Engage staff and partners with activities in this guide to start a dialogue and create a vision for a more prevention-focused child welfare system.

Publication Year 2021
PDF

Helps child welfare leaders identify what they can do to advance their prevention vision and shows what they will see as that vision takes root.

Publication Year 2021
PDF

Addressed developmentally appropriate services for youth in foster care and identified best practices for Federal support of States and territories in implementing provisions of the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (P.L. 113-183).

Publication Year 2015
Video

Brandon is a 21-year-old alumnus of the foster care system. He was in the foster care system for about 10 years and serves as a foster care advocate, working in State government for the last 3 years. He feels that normal activities for all youth in foster care should include getting a driver’s license, going on out-of-State and overnight trips, and participating in sports.

Publication Year 2016