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.

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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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Email: capacityinfo@icfi.com 
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Showing 1 - 15 of 26 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
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

Learn to select, design, or adapt an intervention to address an identified problem.

Publication Year 2018
PDF

Learn about theory of change and why it is critical to implementing effective changes to improve outcomes. 

Publication Year 2018
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

Get guidance for completing the CQI self-assessment instrument, see suggested sources for local assessment data, and learn to rate assessment results.

Publication Year 2018
PDF

Build a common understanding of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) best practices and learn how your CQI team can apply those practices as your agency works to strengthen families, deliver equitable services, and build more resilient communities.

Publication Year 2022
PDF

Use this discussion guide with the CWVE 2021 videos to access a description of each topic, individual reflection questions to facilitate personal, on-demand learning, and conversation starters and team activities for child welfare staff and collaborative partners.  

Publication Year 2021
PDF

Learn about quality contacts, why they are important, and how an agency can successfully implement them.

Publication Year 2017
PDF

This tool is a role-playing activity, designed to help child welfare workers and supervisors become more familiar with the process of recognizing and translating buzzwords into descriptive language.

Publication Year 2021
PDF

Get tips, guidance, and information about the CQI system assessment and implementation process, and learn how the Center helps agencies build capacity.

Publication Year 2018
PDF

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

Publication Year 2016
PDF

This workbook and this video series are part of a collection of resources designed to help child welfare agency leaders, managers, and teams select, adapt, or design an intervention to address an identified problem. Use this workbook to further your understanding of concepts and prepare to move learning into action with your team.

Publication Year 2018
PDF

Gather your staff to watch the “Deciding What to Implement to Achieve Successful Change” webinar to learn about how a structured approach to selecting an effective intervention can help your agency evaluate solutions to identified problems or needs and achieve goals for change. Then, use this guide to facilitate discussions and lead your team to move learning into action.

Publication Year 2018