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.

Library and Information Services

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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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Learn how we can help your agency build the capacity to thrive.

Email: info@childwelfare.gov 
Phone: 1.800.394.3366

Visit the Center for States' Contact Us webpage for more information.

Showing 1 - 15 of 40 resources
PDF

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.

Publication Year 2019
PDF

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

Publication Year 2023
Video

Learn how jurisdictions across the country respond to human trafficking cases and explore the latest developments in effective intervention.

Publication Year 2024
Webinar

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

Publication Year 2017
PDF

Explore how data reported in AFCARS about youth who run away from state custody can be used to inform interventions.

Publication Year 2015
PDF

Learn the importance of effective, ongoing collaboration between child welfare agencies and community-based partners.

Publication Year 2017
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
Video

Buzzwords: Moving to Behavioral Descriptors doodle video is a short, animated video that follows a child involved in a child welfare investigation. The video describes what buzzwords are and illustrates the impact they can have on children and families. It also demonstrates how to recognize buzzwords and offers strategies for transforming buzzwords into objective, behavior-based descriptors.

Publication Year 2017
PDF

Find information about the new CRP Peer Group lead, the NCRP Advisory Board update, communication tools for CRPs, and more.

Publication Year 2023
PDF

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

Publication Year 2015
PDF

Use this discussion guide with the Child Welfare Virtual Expo (CWVE) 2020 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 2020
PDF

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

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
Podcast

Meet the series cohosts as they talk about sharing lived expertise and power with child welfare agency leaders and staff.

Publication Year 2022
Podcast

Hear about the experiences of sharing power between a child welfare agency leader in Nevada and a young adult with lived expertise.

Publication Year 2022