The manual combines research and guidance on best practices in family empowerment with the evolving field of implementation science. The manual also reinforces and expands on concepts introduced in the Center for States’ Family Empowerment and Leadership Academy (FELA).

Provides an overview of resources and strategies to enhance approaches for providing financial capability training for youth who are transitioning out of foster care. 

Identify data sources to explore your state’s system of foster and adoptive parent licensing, recruitment, and retention.

Explore concepts, terms, and foundational information about psychological safety on child welfare teams.

Explore and discuss state performance on CFSR statewide data indicators.

Explore the various aspects of the importance of normalcy for children and youth in care.

Examine a five-step framework that helps organizations promote youth engagement in normalcy conversations about the youth’s own care.

Learn about the challenges faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) families involved with the child welfare system and ways to help them.

Learn how to create an agency organizational culture that is inclusive and knowledgeable about the unique needs of LGBTQ children, youth, and families.

Explore information and get guidance about sex trafficking and identification of sex trafficking victims.

Discover how parent partner programs support family reunification by guiding and motivating parents into constructive interactions with the child welfare system and courts.

Explore innovative programs and strategies that child welfare professionals can use to support reunification and emphasize caregiver and parent voice.

Learn to use the CFSR Round 4 SPSS syntax to calculate observed performance for a state on all or selected statewide data indicators.

Get practical information about supporting coordinated strategic and long-term planning.

Read recent research on child welfare workforce management, including recruitment and retention, professional development, and organizational culture.