Use this discussion guide with the CWVE 2022 videos to view a description of each topic, access individual reflection questions to facilitate personal, on-demand learning, and explore conversation starters and team activities with child welfare staff and collaborative partners.   

Use this discussion guide with CWVE 2023 videos to explore topics on workforce recruitment and retention, as well as access individual reflection exercises, discussion prompts, and team activities.

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

Find family engagement strategies for survivors, children, and perpetrators of domestic violence.

Explore additional resources aimed at the needs of expecting and parenting teens in child welfare.

See strategies and examples for partnering with faith-based communities and leaders on behalf of children and youth in foster care waiting to be adopted.

Explore additional resources to learn about the challenges of engaging difficult-to-reach populations of youth and young adults.

Learn how leveraging NGO connections in the community can help child welfare systems be more flexible and adaptable in achieving program goals.

Get ideas for working with community foundations, endowments, and charitable trusts to improve outcomes for children and youth.

Examine new software and technology innovations, which provide better, more integrated services and cut costs for states and jurisdictions.

The manual combines research and guidance on best practices in family empowerment with the evolving field of implementation science. The manual also reinforces and expands on concepts introduced in the Center for States’ Family Empowerment and Leadership Academy (FELA).

Identify data sources to explore your state’s system of foster and adoptive parent licensing, recruitment, and retention.

Learn to facilitate a normalcy conversation and to promote normal and developmentally appropriate experiences for youth in foster care.

Examine a five-step framework that helps organizations promote youth engagement in normalcy conversations about the youth’s own care.

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