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.

Explore the supportive relationship between a youth and her attorney.

Reveals how advocating for youth makes a difference in system change and in the advocates’ own lives. The Director of Policy and Advocacy at NMCAN and a youth advocate talk about their shared experience in testifying as expert witnesses for state legislative committees and how it created a strong bond between them.

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

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. 

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

Use this crosswalk to start thinking concretely about prevention planning as a change and implementation process. 

Use this tool to help meet QRTP requirements, clarify staff roles, and develop approaches to strengthen effective trauma-informed and healing-centered practices that truly support young people.

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

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

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

Browse the “Leading Your Agency Through a Disaster” tip sheet to see how common elements of child welfare leadership can be adapted for effective disaster management and an example of action during each phase of disaster management.

Build foundational knowledge about disaster planning, response, and recovery; see examples of real-life strategies from jurisdictions around the country; and begin the process of planning to effectively respond to any disaster. 

Provides concise information on the organization of the Coping With Disasters and Strengthening Systems series resources and offers suggestions for using the resources alone or together to help agencies develop, refine, and implement effective disaster plans.

Highlights the advocacy work of state and regional youth leadership councils. Two paid regional and state youth specialists and the Texas Director for Transitional Living Services describe how including youth voice by providing them a “seat at the table” at the state capital enhances the child welfare system. All three discuss the rewards and personal impact of their work.