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.

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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.

Connect With Us

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 1 - 15 of 155 resources
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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.

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Learn the definition and find information about normalcy and the reasonable and prudent parent standard in the PL 113-183.

Video

Frankie is 14 years old and lives with his sister, brothers, and moms. He and his sister were adopted when they were 2 years old and 4 years old, respectively. He loves spending time with his aunts, uncles, and cousins and loves being part of a big family.

Video

Learn about negotiating boundaries, communication, support, and normalcy from a young person formally in foster care and her adoptive parents.

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See statistics on increased risks for LGBTQ youth and learn how child welfare systems can use healthy approaches when working with LGBTQ children and youth.

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

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

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

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

Video

Explore the need for involving multiple voices in developing and implementing prevention plans, as well as the important role courts play in prevention.

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Use this tool with your prevention planning team to prepare for and tackle the adaptive challenges that many states face as they develop and implement prevention plans. 

Video

Learn about the importance of successful collaboration and engagement for implementing prevention-focused systems.

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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.

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Examine current research and how best to build organizational capacity in five areas, and learn about possible challenges and solutions.

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See how workforce satisfaction and retention are improved by emphasizing the positive differences that are made in the lives of children and families.