Listen to child welfare agency leaders in the District of Columbia, service providers, partners in community collaboratives, and sister agencies talk about how they coordinate service planning and delivery, are culturally responsive to the community, and provide seamless services to families.

Adapt strategies from this publication to improve specific areas of culture and climate to support partnering with families after conducting an assessment.

Adapt proven strategies from this publication to improve specific areas of culture and that support collaborative development of an effective service array.

Browse the themes and key takeaways from the How We Partner With the Community to Improve Service Options podcast series.

Use this guide for tips, and strategies concerning the critical role leadership plays in creating and sustaining positive organizational culture.

Get guidance, tips, and strategies for assessing agency culture and climate. 

Watch as Amnoni relates her experience in the foster car system, including her struggles and quest for stability and normalcy.

Desiree is an alumna of the foster care system. She lived with the same foster care family for 14 years. She entered foster care with three of her siblings, and wants to use her experiences growing up in foster care to make a difference for those still in the system.

Hear Raven's foster care story, the challenges of being separated from her brother, and the value of support.

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

Hear how Cortez, and adoptee, overcame his struggles to build an identity in a changing environment.

Learn how Daryle reconnected with this Tribe after being separated from his cultural background in foster care.

Brandon is a 21-year-old alumnus of the foster care system. He was in the foster care system for about 10 years and serves as a foster care advocate, working in State government for the last 3 years. He feels that normal activities for all youth in foster care should include getting a driver’s license, going on out-of-State and overnight trips, and participating in sports.

Bruce and Brenda have been married for 33 years and have four daughters. From 2006 to 2009, they provided a kinship placement for their four grandchildren. In 2010, the couple adopted Bruce (now 18 years old), Tre’Nae (now 15 years old), Mason (now 13 years old), and Kiaunna (now 10 years old).

Shares Molene’s story about becoming the primary caregiver for her four nieces, raising them, adopting them, negotiating the child welfare system, and creating a family.