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.

Learn about the range of practices comprising the continuum of youth engagement to youth empowerment.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

Explore ways that jurisdictions can integrate strategies to promote equity in continuous quality improvement (CQI) and evaluation efforts. 

Understand the role of coaching in supporting workers, including coaching functions, effectiveness, models, and strategies.

See how coordination can improve identification, reporting, and services for youth who are victims or at risk of becoming victims of sex trafficking.

Shares Stephen’s story about being a community-based provider and policymaker in Florida, the need for laws that empower caregiver decision-making, creating Florida’s reasonable and prudent parent standard (RPPS), and the effect RPPS and normalcy laws can have on foster care.

Learn how to support LGBTQIA2S+ children and young people at a child welfare agency.

Find information about using collaborative practices and models across human service systems to better serve families dealing with co-occurring issues.

Get the latest research on decision science and safety decision-making practices in child welfare to help improved safety outcomes.