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 1 - 15 of 28 resources
PDF

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.

Publication Year 2017
PDF

Explore information and strategies for advancing racial equity through problem exploration.

Publication Year 2023
PDF

Summarizes the change and implementation process and provides an overview of the Change and Implementation in Practice series briefs, “how to” guides that explain key steps and tasks in the process.

Publication Year 2018
PDF

Better understand your state’s performance on statewide data indicators related to the safety and permanency of children served by the child welfare system. 

Publication Year 2021
PDF

Understand the CFSR statewide data indicators, their use in program improvement efforts, and performance calculation tools.

Publication Year 2019
PDF

Access strategies to better understand and implement the family engagement requirements of the FFPSA.

Publication Year 2021
PDF

Learn solid strategies for understanding and implementing the trauma-informed care provisions of the FFPSA.

Publication Year 2021
PDF

Develop a better understanding of customized congregate care and learn about implementing the FFPSA provisions in congregate care QRTP assessment.

Publication Year 2021
PDF

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.

Publication Year 2021
PDF

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.

Publication Year 2019
PDF

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

Publication Year 2019
PDF

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

Publication Year 2019
PDF

Consider ways to be intentional about advancing race equity while implementing new child welfare programs and practices. This publication includes questions for teams to consider throughout change and implementation processes—from the earliest stages of exploring a problem to identifying solutions to ensuring sustainable implementation.

Publication Year 2021
PDF

Learn to use the CFSR Round 4 SPSS syntax to calculate observed performance for a state on all or selected statewide data indicators.

Publication Year 2022
PDF

Explore tools, resources, and strategies to build a continuum of behavioral health care for children and youth involved with child welfare. 

Publication Year 2022