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Capacity Building

CENTER FOR STATES

Youth Development

The Center for States aims to build the capacity for youth development and authentic youth engagement in all areas of child welfare services delivery systems. Strategies include effective training, the development of resources, and the facilitation of shared information and best practices. Through the Young Adult Consultant program, young adults with lived experience in the foster care system applied their expertise in capacity building activities to model youth engagement. Peer networking opportunities to spread best practices will also be used to build capacity.

Youth Engagement Blueprint

Learn how to build capacity in each of four component areas to promote a culture and climate that encourages youth engagement at all levels of an organization.

Having the Normalcy Conversation

Learn the importance of normalcy for youth in foster care and understand the importance of regular discussions about its implementation among everyone involved.

Authentic Voices Video Series: Sharing Our Perspective

Watch these insightful stories to learn about issues of belonging, connection, development, and normalcy for children and youth in out-of-home care.

Perspectives on Normalcy

Use this series to find support for states and territories in implementing training related to the reasonable and prudent parent standard (RPPS) of the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (P.L. 113-183).

Embracing a Youth Welfare System

Learn about the Youth Welfare approach, which outlines how agencies can shift from a child-focused system to a youth-focused system.

Extended Federal Foster Care (EFFC) Programs

Extended Federal Foster Care (EFFC) Programs Peer Group promotes collaboration among state coordinators and other partners of EFFC programs to achieve positive outcomes for youth ages 18 to 21 in voluntary foster care. Members of this group include title IV-E extended foster care managers and staff whose agencies are implementing federally approved extended foster care plans. Membership is limited to members who serve in this role and must be approved by the Children’s Bureau.

National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD)

National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Peer Group promotes collaboration among state coordinators and other partners responsible for collecting data through NYTD. Members of this group include state NYTD coordinators and other staff whose agencies participated in the NYTD federal pilot reviews. Membership is limited to those that meet the criteria and must be approved by the Children’s Bureau.

State Chafee and Education and Training Voucher Coordinators

State Chafee and Education and Training Voucher Coordinators Peer Group promotes collaboration among Chafee Foster Care Independence Programs (CFCIPs) to achieve positive outcomes for youth transitioning from foster care. Members of this group include child welfare professionals engaged in CFCIPs, such as state child welfare independent living coordinators and staff involved in education training and voucher programs. This group is open only to members who meet the criteria, and membership must be approved by the Children’s Bureau.

CBX Article

Lived Expertise: Youth Empowerment and Permanency

Engagement and empowerment of youth in foster care can have powerful positive results for young people seeking permanency. Working toward legal permanency (i.e., reunification, adoption, or kinship care) and relational permanency (i.e., a relationship or connection with a caring adult) for older youth is an important goal for child welfare agencies (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2019). 

CBX Article

Empowering Youth to Share Their Voices and Be Heard

The Children's Bureau challenges child welfare communities to engage with youth and listen to their voices about what family means to them and why it matters. Read this article to learn how to empower youth to share their voices.

CBX Article

Lifting up Youth Voices: Storytelling as a Conversation Starter for Systemic Change

Research shows that storytelling (when paired with data) is a powerful tool for changing beliefs and behavior, because a compelling story engages the viewer through imagery, engages audience emotions, and brings the theme into focus. Read this article to learn more.

Podcast

Engaging Youth in Foster Care

As youth in care begin to develop their own sense of self and independence, caseworkers may experience difficulties engaging them to participate in their case plans or helping them realize the impacts their decisions may have on their long-term future. This podcast, 'Engaging Youth in Foster Care', gives caseworkers the perspective of a former youth in foster care.

External Link

Health Coverage for Homeless and At-Risk Youth

Homeless and at-risk youth are likely to be eligible for health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act (often referred to as the ACA). The ACA vastly simplifies and expands access to affordable health care, including for low-income and homeless youth, and allows states to expand eligibility for Medicaid, a health care program for low-income individuals.

External Link

Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention

The Department of Health and Human Services funds programs to support pregnant and parenting youth and pregnancy prevention efforts with youth in out-of-home care.   These programs share many goals and are uniquely positioned to work together to impact outcomes for youth who are pregnant or parenting while in out-of-home care.

External Link

John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood

The Department of Health and Human Services funds programs to support pregnant and parenting youth and pregnancy prevention efforts with youth in out-of-home care.  Learn about the foster care program for successful transition to adulthood.

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Prioritizing Lived Experience and Expertise in Child Welfare

It is important for child welfare agencies to develop authentic partnerships with lived experts and collaborate with them at all levels of agency work to develop timely and relevant community services for children, youth, and families. 

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Spotlight On Holistic Support for Youth Mental Health and Well-Being

Mental and behavioral health support doesn’t just mean clinical therapy; it comes in many different forms. Trauma-responsive care, support from caring adults who can provide life-long guidance, relationships with peers, and normative experiences during adolescence can help to mitigate earlier trauma and build a sense of belonging and security.