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.

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. 

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.

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

Learn about the definition and calculation of the CFSR statewide data indicator maltreatment in foster care.

Review the steps for running the CFSR Round 4 SPSS syntax to calculate observed performance on statewide data indicators. 

Learn about the definition and calculation of the CFSR statewide data indicator permanency in 12 months for children entering care.

Learn about the definition and calculation of the CFSR statewide data indicator permanency in 12 months for children in care 12 to 23 months.

Learn about the definition and calculation of the CFSR statewide data indicator permanency in 12 months for children in care 24 months or more.

Learn about the definition and calculation of the CFSR statewide data indicator placement stability.

Learn about the definition and calculation of the CFSR statewide data indicator recurrence of maltreatment.

Learn about the definition and calculation of the CFSR statewide data indicator reentry to foster care.

Consult this video series and companion discussion guide to get different perspectives on building trust and supporting family well-being.