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 20 resources
Video

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.

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.

PDF

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

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.

PDF

Discover a comprehensive range of information about domestic violence decision-making.

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

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Examine foundational information and suggestions for effective casework and supporting examples for families experiencing domestic violence.

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Get the basics on general practice for agency interventions, including screening, documenting descriptions of abuse and protective efforts, and evaluating risk.

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Learn how domestic violence and child maltreatment affect families and read about the risks, impacts, protective efforts, and other related topics.

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Learn how domestic violence documentation can help hold perpetrators accountable and promote survivor safety and well-being.

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Learn about applications that can make information gathering more efficient, increase useful data, and help you better understand those you serve. 

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Discusses new software and technologies used in child welfare.

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Read recent research on child welfare workforce management, including recruitment and retention, professional development, and organizational culture.

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Explore the four thematic pillars necessary for organizational capacity that supports engagement with young people currently and formerly in foster care.

Infographic

Illustrates the four thematic pillars necessary for organizational capacity supporting engagement with young people currently and formerly in foster care. Each of the four segments succinctly defines an element of organizational capacity building for youth engagement.