Center for States

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Stay informed with resources that support system change and practice improvement. Discover insights and action steps to advance prevention and racial equity, address pressing child welfare challenges, and meet the needs of children, youth, and families.

 


 

​​Shared language is vital to advancing racial equity. We have created a glossary of diversity, racial equity, and inclusion terms and definitions that you and your team can use as a starting point in your efforts to align language and develop shared language.

Explore the Glossary

CFSR Program Improvement Plan Readiness Checklist, Timelines, and Organization

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CFSR Program Improvement Plan Readiness Checklist, Timelines, and Organization

Use this project management resource to plan for the development of a Program Improvement Plan (PIP).

An Overview of State Child Welfare’s Response for Trafficking Cases Involving Foreign National Children

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An Overview of State Child Welfare’s Response for Trafficking Cases Involving Foreign National Children

Learn how jurisdictions across the country respond to human trafficking cases and explore the latest developments in effective intervention.

Topics

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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  • The first step in working with the Center for States is contacting your state liaison. Identify your Center for States liaison and see their contact information to get started.

    Find Liaison
  • The CWVE is an annual event that brings together child welfare professionals from federal, state, and local organizations across the country to engage in online activities, discussions, and skill building activities that provide information, explore strategies, and offer innovative ideas and action steps to support child welfare agencies.

    Learn More
  • Discover how you can connect with peers and experts around the country and access resources.

    Browse All Events
  • Center for States child welfare experts have a deep understanding of the issues and challenges facing the child welfare profession that comes from years of experience at the local, state, and federal levels. Our experts can assist you with your practice needs in a variety of areas.

    Learn More
  • Center for States peer groups connect child welfare professionals working in similar practice areas or on common initiatives. Membership is open to relevant audiences and determined by the Children’s Bureau.

    Explore
  • The Center for States offers child welfare agencies research assistance on child welfare topics and responds to information requests on building capacity in child welfare.

    Information Request
  • Are you looking to address complex problems and challenges in your agency or system? The Change and Implementation in Practice series is a collection of research-informed and user-friendly resources that can help agencies achieve meaningful changes in child welfare practice and improve outcomes.

    Improve Your Processes
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  • Voices of Lived Experience and Jurisdictional Stories

    Telling Our Story

    Are you wondering how other states are approaching their work—or what mix of services might be right for you? Take a look at stories shared by jurisdictions about how they are tackling complex problems in partnership with the Center for States and how they build capacity and improve outcomes for children, youth, and families.

    Voices of Lived Experience

    Videos in these galleries reveal how support and partnership with peers, mentors, and agency staff support healing, well-being, and positive development.

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    “Spotlight on” Messages

    Connect With Us

    Sign Up for News and Updates

    Learn how we can help your agency build the capacity to thrive.

    Email: info@childwelfare.gov 
    Phone: 1.800.394.3366

    Visit the Center for States' Contact Us webpage for more information.

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