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Capacity Building

CENTER FOR STATES

Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs)

The Center for States supports state agencies in preparing for Round 4 of the CFSRs. Explore Center resources to learn more about using data and evidence and engagement practices to examine performance and make system improvements.

Implemented as a joint effort between federal and state staff, the CFSR is a system improvement process aimed at achieving better outcomes for children, youth, and families who receive child welfare services.

The Center offers publications, tools, peer networking, and technical assistance to help child welfare agencies and their partners plan and implement all phases of CFSR Round 4, from Statewide Assessment planning through Program Improvement Plan (PIP) development and implementation. Center resources can help states assess performance on statewide data indicators, strengthen their effective use of data and evidence, focus on equity, and engage young people and families with lived experience and other system partners throughout the CFSR. Resources also support agencies with aligning the CFSR and PIP processes with the state’s Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP) and Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR), prevention and court improvement planning, and other federal and state continuous quality improvement (CQI) and implementation efforts.

Spotlight
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CFSR Statewide Assessment Readiness Checklist, Timelines, and Organization

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

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Vermont - CFSR Round 4 in Action

In the early stages of planning for CFSR Round 4, the Vermont team reached out to the Center for States to explore support for their Statewide Assessment.

CFSR Statewide Data Indicators

Find information about using CFSR statewide data indicators to assess performance on child safety and permanency outcomes. Updated for Round 4!

CFSR Round 4 Planning and Implementation Tools

Access tools to help teams prepare for Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) Round 4 data activities, adopt an integrated approach, engage lived experts, and more. 

Strategic Planning in Child Welfare

Explore considerations and tools to support coordinated strategic and long-term planning, monitoring, and review processes.

Child and Family Services Review Round 4 Community of Practice (CFSR Round 4 CoP)

The Child and Family Services Review Round 4 Community of Practice promotes collaboration and learning among states or territories engaged in Round 4 of the Child and Family Services Review. Its focus includes the components of the CFSR and the priorities of the Children’s Bureau in Round 4 including robust use of data and evidence, engagement of those with lived experience, and advancing racial equity. It is currently open to Years 1 and 2 jurisdictions. The membership includes CFSR Managers/Leads, Child Welfare Directors, Case Review Coordinators, CQI Managers/Leads, Court Improvement Administrators, Legal/Judicial partners, Data System Managers, Data Analysts, individuals with lived experience and lived expertise, relevant partners to an individual jurisdiction and anyone who is part of a jurisdiction’s CFSR planning and implementation team. Membership is open to those who meet the criteria and must be approved by the Children’s Bureau.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)/Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) Managers

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)/Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) Managers Peer Group promotes collaboration among state or territory CQI and CFSR managers to achieve quality improvements in child welfare practice and positive outcomes for children, youth, and families. Members of this group include managers who oversee statewide assessment reports, Program Improvement Plans and case reviews, and staff responsible for Child and Family Services Plans. Membership is open to those who meet the criteria and must be approved by the Children’s Bureau.

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CFSR Information Portal

Access CFSR resources, instruments, Children’s Bureau guidance, an E-Learning Academy, and the Online Monitoring System (OMS) to support CFSR implementation.

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Child and Family Services Reviews (Children’s Bureau website)

Find CFSR policies, instruments, guidance, and other related information on the current and prior CFSR rounds.

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Round 4 Child and Family Services Review Factsheet

Get familiar with CFSR processes and who should be involved.

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CFSR Process as Defined by Regulation (45 CFR 1355.31-37)

View an at-a-glance graphic of the timeline for key steps in the CFSR process.

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Advancing Equity and Inclusion Through the CFSRs

Consider strategies to apply an equity and inclusion framework to each phase of the CFSR and use data and evidence to identify and address disparities in services and outcomes among people of color, individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, and others who have been underserved or marginalized.

Spotlight On

Spotlight On Starting CFSR Round 4 Strong

Hear insights from Year 1 states and discover resources to assist your agency in strategically planning, utilizing data, and engaging community members and those with lived experience in CFSR Round 4 activities.

Spotlight On

Spotlight On Aligning CFSR With Strategic Planning and CQI

Explore resources to help child welfare agencies strategically plan and prepare for CFSR Round 4 by building on progress and lessons learned from other planning, reporting, and program improvement efforts.