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.

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.

Examines the third task, developing the pathway or pathways of change to reach the long-term outcome, and provides examples of how to apply strategies. Casual links connect the root cause(s) of the problem to the long-term outcome, and “tell the story of how success will be recognized” at each level in the pathway.

Presents the fifth task, documenting assumptions and rationale, and provides examples of how to apply strategies. A clear, concise narrative can help to engage stakeholders, decision makers and potential funders in future steps to address the root cause and problems identified.

Presents the fifth task, documenting assumptions and rationale, and provides examples of how to apply strategies. A clear, concise narrative can help to engage stakeholders, decision makers and potential funders in future steps to address the root cause and problems identified.

Explores the first task of how to gather information on the problem statement, root cause(s), and target population and provides examples of how to apply strategies.

Presents the second task, identifying a long-term outcome, and provides examples of how to apply strategies. Identifying a long-term outcome that is specific, achievable, and understandable helps teams establish a goal that is focused, feasible, and clear.

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.

Provides an overview of essential functions for preparing for implementation, planning for capacity building, and developing an implementation plan. The video also considers how tasks work together to support change efforts.

Presents information on the task of building the work plan activities to get the agency ready before implementation begins.

Explores the planning tasks of outlining implementation plan elements, identifying sources, and considering the context of agency implementation planning.

Explores the task of building the work plan activities to roll out the intervention and measure the quality of the implementation process, including any piloting or staging of the intervention.

Examines the implementation planning task of revisiting the teaming and leadership structures to help agencies facilitate the change and implementation process.

Provides information on the task of identifying communication and engagement activities described in the implementation work plan.

Discusses the task of reviewing readiness assessment findings to plan for capacity building.