Explore the efforts agencies, community collaborative organizations, and others are making to bring families, youth, and communities to the table as they strive to improve the child welfare system in this podcast. 

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

Learn about how Jamall reunified with family members and enjoyed family cookouts and holidays with the help of Jennifer and the Family Finder program through Kinnect Ohio.

Learn about Jamall’s reunification with his mother, grandmother, and other family members through Kinnect Ohio’s Finding Family program.

Learn about Jennifer’s commitment to facilitating belonging and lifelong support for children in foster care through the Kinnect Ohio Family Finding program.

Use the resources in this list to support young people’s transitional needs and help them develop the skills needed for independent living after exiting foster care.

Learn strategies to address the mental health needs of children, young people, and families.

Use the template and instructions provided to develop parent partner program manuals.

Set the groundwork for meaningful engagement of people with lived experience in the CFSR.

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

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

Explore a family-focused program that embodies many of the changes that Kentucky wants to see throughout its child welfare system in this podcast. The START, program demonstrates a shift in organizational culture to focus on family and serves as an example of a truly collaborative team that uses early intervention and a shared decision-making model to work with families.

Learn about State Liaison Officers, who they are, their roles, responsibilities, and the Center for States resources available to them.

In this episode leaders from the District of Columbia child welfare agency and a community collaborative organization discuss their longstanding partnership. The commissioner for Kentucky's child welfare agency describes the agency’s strategic communication plan and considers the role of the agency as part of the larger child welfare system.

Watch this short, animated video to examine how changing the language and messaging we use can support a shift to a more prevention-focused child welfare system.