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

Woman in front of a computer

The Center for States provides research assistance and responds to information requests on building capacity in child welfare.

Connect With Us

Sign Up for News and Updates

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

Email: capacityinfo@icfi.com 
Phone: 1.844.222.0272

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

Showing 76 - 90 of 119 resources
Infographic

Review the protective capacities and protective factors frameworks used to assess, intervene, and serve families.

Publication Year 2016
Video

Emphasizes the necessity of strong community supports to create a secure and stable environment for a new kinship family. In this video, a grandparent discusses moving across the country to ensure her grandchildren could see their parents.

Publication Year 2018
PDF

Use this discussion guide with the “Reflecting on Racial Equity and Prevention-Focused Systems” video to facilitate team discussions about your agency’s current practice and opportunities to take action.

Publication Year 2023
PDF

Use this discussion guide with the “Reflecting on Racial Equity and the Family First Prevention Services Act” video to facilitate team discussions about your agency’s current practice and opportunities to take action.

Publication Year 2023
Video

The video highlights the story of a kinship caregiver and how becoming a licensed foster parent working with social services and her local child welfare agency resulted in better support and resources.

Publication Year 2022
Video

See how listening and relatability helped build trust between a youth and his attorney.

Publication Year 2021
Video

Underscores the importance of consistency and encouragement in trusting relationships. A Fostering Success peer mentor gave impactful advice to the youth she mentored: Stop listening to the people who don’t believe in you.

Publication Year 2021
Video

Reveals the complexity of family dynamics through the experiences of Shary, a kinship parent caring for her niece, Brianna, and grandson, Random. In the first digital story, Brianna seeks to reconnect the pieces in her family puzzle. The second digital story highlights Random's unflappable resilience despite medical challenges.

Publication Year 2020
Video

Highlights the importance of recognizing the foster family as an extension of a child’s biological family and the role of effective communication between caregivers and biological family members. This video shares the experience of one caregiver who found that successful collaboration with biological family members, along with agency assistance to promote family engagement, proved effective for family reunification.

Publication Year 2021
Video

Hear from a family about the challenges of dealing with an autism diagnosis and other issues while navigating the child welfare system.

Publication Year 2017
Video

Demonstrates how showing up and listening are foundational to developing a nourishing relationship with youth. A young woman describes the constant support she and her family received from a social worker as she evolved from a youth into a teen mom and an advocate.

Publication Year 2021
PDF

Explore tips and strategies to effectively engage and sustain the involvement of families and youth at the agency level. 

Publication Year 2019
Video

Addresses motivations for becoming a kinship parent and the importance of having agency guidance and support to navigate shifting family roles and dynamics. This video presents one family's transition from kinship care to adoption, and highlights resources that contributed to their success and their ability to provide permanency for their adoptive daughter.

Publication Year 2018
Video

Highlights motivating factors for caregivers serving children with therapeutic needs, including the value of caregiver support networks, continuous training, and a commitment to strengthen families within the caregiver’s community. This video shares a foster mother’s experiences collaborating with biological families toward positive outcomes for the children in her care.

Publication Year 2021
Video

This video highlights the story of a school social worker in Rhode Island and her experience becoming a foster parent to a student who did not have a relative placement.

Publication Year 2022