Identify data sources to explore agency responsiveness to the community.

Discover how to examine and drill down into state data to build understanding of what’s happening in your child welfare system.

Learn about a framework for applying safety science to promote a culture of safety in child welfare agencies.

Explore how data reported in AFCARS about youth who run away from state custody can be used to inform interventions.

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.

Identify data sources to explore how well your state’s case review system is functioning.

Reflect on past results to inform plans for future improvements.

Use this helpful reminder of Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) measures to support CFSR planning and implementation activities.

Access this project management resource to plan for the CFSR Statewide Assessment. 

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

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

Learn how to engage young people and families with lived expertise in the CFSR process at a child welfare agency. 

This manual examines the roles and responsibilities of child protective services (CPS) workers. It describes the purposes, key decisions, and issues of each stage of the CPS process and strategies for casework supervision, training, and support.

Available on CAPLearn; registration required.
Parts 1, 2, and 3 offers best practices information on responding to sex trafficking of children and youth in child welfare, and building knowledge on the special needs of trafficking victims and youth at risk of becoming victims.