The EMBRACE Project (Expanding Meaningful Black Relationships and Creating Equity) is a multiyear, research-driven initiative that aims to not only understand but enhance the long-term health and success

Americans' Views of U.S. Foster Care: Elevating Black Americans' Perspectives and Experiences

The EMBRACE Project (Expanding Meaningful Black Relationships and Creating Equity) is a multiyear, research-driven initiative that aims to not only understand but enhance the long-term health and success of Black youth in foster care. Gallup and Kidsave, an organization dedicated to establishing mentoring connections and adoptive families for older children, collaborated as part of the EMBRACE Project to conduct a study on how the American public, with a specific focus on Black Americans, perceives the foster care system and adoption from foster care. This study, <a href="https://www.gallup.com/analytics/514151/foster-care-adoption-barriers.aspx" rel="nofollow">Americans&#39; Views of U.S. Foster Care: Elevating Black Americans&#39; Perspectives and Experiences</a>, aims to identify and understand the barriers to mentoring, fostering, and adopting, particularly for Black potential caregivers.
By prioritizing the perspectives and experiences of Black Americans, the study tries to pinpoint the significant obstacles that deter involvement with the foster care system. The goal is to leverage these insights to dismantle systemic barriers and encourage greater engagement with fostering and adoption, specifically within the Black community. The study explored three areas: knowledge and perceptions of U.S. foster care, significant barriers to providing care, and encouraging fostering and adoption.
Trends among Black Americans who participated in the study included four key takeaways:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Black Americans report knowing more about foster care and adoption from foster care than Americans of other racial and ethnic backgrounds and are more likely to have participated in a program with children in foster care.</li><li>Black Americans report lower levels of confidence in specific areas of the U.S. foster care system. For example, they are more likely to agree that the foster care system could do more to keep biological families together and less likely to agree that the foster care system supports children in need of care regardless of the child&#39;s racial or ethnic background.</li><li>The amount of money required to provide foster care is a significant barrier.</li><li>Twenty-five percent of Black Americans say racial and ethnic discrimination is a major barrier to becoming a foster parent.</li></ul>
The study&#39;s results are intended to address a critical need: increasing the number of foster and adoptive parents available for children in need of care. Findings in this report highlight pathways to connect youth in foster care to families that can meet their needs and provide culturally responsive care. The findings also can inform targeted interventions, fostering positive changes within the system. The report authors suggest that education about available resources and requirements as well as increased mentoring opportunities are possible ways to address the barriers respondents cited.
View the <a href="https://www.gallup.com/analytics/514151/foster-care-adoption-barriers.aspx" rel="nofollow">report</a> and press release for more information.

March 2024

The Annie E. Casey Foundation published a blog post that examines the health and well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and youth. AI/AN children, youth, and families have disproportionally

The Health and Well-Being of Amer­i­can Indi­an and Alas­ka Native Children: A History of Inequity and a Path Forward

The Annie E. Casey Foundation published a <a href="https://www.aecf.org/blog/native-childrens-health-and-well-being" rel="nofollow">blog post</a> that examines the health and well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and youth. AI/AN children, youth, and families have disproportionally poor experiences in health and well-being compared to the general population due to the <a href="https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01419" rel="nofollow">legacy of historical trauma and discriminatory policies</a>. This post separates equity challenges for this demographic into four categories: economic, education, health and mental health, and family and community. By examining relevant data, the post aims to foster a deeper understanding of the challenges these individuals encounter and identify potential areas for focused interventions and improvements.
Below are some highlights from the selection of findings on family and community inequities:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>More than one-third of AI/AN children have had at least two adverse childhood experiences compared to 17 percent of the national average.</li><li>Forty-three percent of AI/AN youth transitioning out of foster care reported experiencing homelessness, which is higher than the national rate of 29 percent.</li><li>In 2021, AI/AN children were 2 percent of the foster care population. AI/AN children make up 1 percent of the general population.</li></ul>
The article also offers forward-looking recommendations for change. These recommendations serve as actionable steps to address the identified inequities and enhance the well-being of AI/AN children and youth. Grounded in practical solutions, the recommendations encourage those involved at all levels of child welfare to consider tangible measures to drive positive outcomes for this demographic that are rooted in culturally tailored and relevant strategies and respectful of the sovereignty of tribal nations. Recommended actions to strengthen the well-being of AI/AN children, youth, and families include the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Recognize and support culture as a protective factor in program and policy solutions.</li><li>Strengthen coordination across federal agencies and departments to streamline services and improve equitable access.</li><li>Continue to promote current efforts to address discrimination and prevent children from entering the child welfare system.</li></ul>
The post lists resources highlighting recommendations from AI/AN community members and providing additional context, such as the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a title="The Generational Impact Of Racism On Health: Voices From American Indian Communities" href="https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01419" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The Gen­er­a­tional Impact of Racism on Health: Voic­es from Amer­i­can Indi­an Communities</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/dup/assets/bia/ois/pdf/idc2-056831.pdf" rel="nofollow">Guidelines for Implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10001615/" rel="nofollow">The Other Side of the ACES Pyramid: A Healing Framework for Indigenous Communities</a></li></ul>
Readers can explore these resources to discover studies and data that contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the issues.
Read <a href="https://www.aecf.org/blog/native-childrens-health-and-well-being" rel="nofollow">&#34;Native American Children’s Health and Well-Being: Current Status, Enduring Inequities and a Path Forward&#34;</a> to find child welfare-specific data, recommendations for the future, and links to additional resources.

Cowritten by Associate Commissioner Aysha E. Schomburg, Arleen Rodriguez, and Tabitha Temple In the fabric of the child welfare system, lies a tapestry of racial injustice and inequity. It's a thread that

Finding Our Way, A Message From the Associate Commissioner

Cowritten by Associate Commissioner Aysha E. Schomburg, Arleen Rodriguez, and Tabitha Temple
In the fabric of the child welfare system, lies a tapestry of racial injustice and inequity. It&#39;s a thread that has plagued generations and marked the system with an extensive history of disparate outcomes for Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous children and families. Within this story there lies a struggle, maybe the better word is a journey—a journey towards racial equity that is both exhausting and transformative. One marked by the structural challenge that the system is truly functioning as it was intended yet illuminated by the determination and resilience of individuals like you and me who consistently seek and work arduously for change.
To do the best we can for the families we serve, it is critical to confront the reality of historical injustices and hold the tension of this painful history with the hope of the opportunity in front of us. We all know how disproportionality and disparities were born, but when we set our goals, is it on the front burner or the back? It is not always easy to hold that tension and often we find ourselves yielding to the colonizer lens. When we do that, we continue to uphold the caste system and perpetuate the inaccurate stories of historically marginalized and silenced communities. 
The journey is not a linear path but rather a continuous struggle marked by progress, setbacks, and resilience. The journey requires a collective commitment and intentional decision to challenge our own bias, examine our decisions, and practice continuous self-reflection. I am excited to share that in honor of Black History Month and in alignment with the President’s <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/02/16/executive-order-on-further-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/" rel="nofollow">Executive Order</a> on Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government, the Children’s’ Bureau kicked off the <a href="https://cblcc.acf.hhs.gov/shareable-media/modules/2024-race-equity-challenge/?utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_source&#61;2024RaceEquityChallenge022024" rel="nofollow">2024 Race Equity Challenge</a>.
The challenge allows us to create a collective space. We will begin with the Road to Equity prompting us to identify our goals for participating in the challenge. It sets the stage for a transformative experience. We then delve into Building on Protective Factors and how we can attune ourselves to their expression among diverse communities. Next along the journey is Understanding Disproportionality in Child Welfare. This crucial discussion dives into the intersection of bias and disproportionality. Our next stop will be Culture in Child Welfare as we acknowledge the vital role that culture plays as a protective factor. Our final stop, Shared Trauma, Collective Resilience, and Healing, is where we will acknowledge the importance of resilience and how we can heal as a community. 
I hope you will participate in this challenge, share your experience, and that some part of the way you approach your work will be transformed.

Written by the Center for Workforce Equity and Leadership Families Rising was awarded $25 million by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Administration for Children and Families

Children's Bureau Announces the Center for Workforce Equity and Leadership

Written by the Center for Workforce Equity and Leadership
Families Rising was awarded $25 million by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Administration for Children and Families to lead the <a href="https://www.cwel.org/grant-announcement/" rel="nofollow">Center for Workforce Equity and Leadership</a> (CWEL). The center will be the place for equity in the child welfare workforce.
CWEL will provide site-specific technical assistance in 10 sites to help jurisdictions diversify the workforce and improve recruitment, retention, and well-being. Race equity and leadership advancement are at the heart of this work. 
The center believes what is best for children is also best for the workforce. Children in care are more likely to trust and feel comfortable with professionals who reflect their identities. This is why preparing the workforce to meet children’s needs is paramount. 
To this end, the CWEL is challenging how White-dominant culture affects Black, Indigenous, and Latinx professionals in the workforce—this includes paternalism, implicit bias, microaggressions, and other practices that cause moral injury. 
CWEL will implement the following key initiatives in jurisdictions to improve recruitment, retention, and well-being and address systemic disparities:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li>Provide leadership development for Black, Indigenous, and Latinx professionals.</li><li>Sponsor tribal relational leadership fellowships.</li><li>Teach coaching skills to current leaders. </li><li>Create pathways to clinical supervision, equipping professionals with the necessary skills to support their staff.</li><li>Establish educational partnerships to pave the way for well-prepared child welfare staff. </li><li>Create valuable tools, resources, and lessons learned for the workforce.</li></ul>
The center will work in partnership with the Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Association and Public Research and Evaluation Services. This collaboration comes at a time when there have been high vacancy rates, staff turnover, and poor outcomes for children and families.
Is your child welfare agency ready to transform to better meet the needs of your workforce? CWEL will begin identifying sites in the spring of 2024. Stay connected and learn more at <a href="https://www.cwel.org/" rel="nofollow">cwel.org</a> and by following the center on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-center-for-workforce-equity-and-leadership/" rel="nofollow">LinkedIn</a>.

Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, in collaboration with Lutheran Services of America, launched the Family Stabilization Initiative and developed a sustainability toolkit. Advancing Equitable Outcomes

Toolkit for Applying Racial Equity and Sustainability Practices in Family Stabilization Efforts

Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, in collaboration with Lutheran Services of America, launched the Family Stabilization Initiative and developed a sustainability toolkit. <a href="https://www.chapinhall.org/project/toolkit-centers-racial-equity-in-sustaining-family-stability/" rel="nofollow">Advancing Equitable Outcomes in Child Welfare: A Toolkit for Sustainability</a> is a practical resource for organizations seeking to integrate racial equity and sustainability principles into their implementation of evidence-based or evidence-informed programs. This toolkit is specifically designed for decision-making staff within human service organizations.
The toolkit is a comprehensive guide, offering key components centered on equity-focused sustainability. Its applicability extends to a broad spectrum of professionals, including agency and program leaders, developers, practitioners, caseworkers, and clinical staff. By focusing on race equity programming, the toolkit addresses a critical need for organizations aiming to foster inclusivity and equitable outcomes within their communities.
Key features of the toolkit include guidelines for creating a learning collaborative, wraparound service delivery model options, and examples of diversity in partnership. It also provides practical guidance for those seeking to enhance or initiate race equity programming within their specific organizational context.
<a href="https://www.chapinhall.org/project/toolkit-centers-racial-equity-in-sustaining-family-stability/" rel="nofollow">Advancing Equitable Outcomes in Child Welfare: A Toolkit for Sustainability</a> is an actionable guide for decision-makers and practitioners to effectively incorporate race equity principles into evidence-based programs, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and positive impact of family stabilization initiatives. Organizations looking to enhance their commitment to racial equity in the context of family stability will find this toolkit a valuable and informative resource.

The Administration for Children and Families' Office on Trafficking in Persons published the Human Trafficking Prevention Month Toolkit 2024 in recognition of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, observed

Human Trafficking Prevention Month Toolkit 2024

The Administration for Children and Families&#39; Office on Trafficking in Persons published the <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/otip/outreach-material/national-human-trafficking-prevention-month-toolkit-2024" rel="nofollow">Human Trafficking Prevention Month Toolkit 2024</a> in recognition of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, observed in January. This toolkit serves as a guide for individuals and organizations committed to preventing and responding to human trafficking. It is designed to educate and amplify awareness around human trafficking, fostering connections among individuals and organizations by offering educational materials and practical resources. Users will find tools they can use to play an active role in prevention efforts.
The toolkit includes materials to help users plan their initiative month and provides messaging guidelines; sample outreach, including a proclamation; and examples of potential events to host. The month is broken down into &#34;focus weeks&#34; to support clear messaging by centering on two to three topics each week. Resources on mental health, housing, economic mobility, and technology are also included.
This resource acts as a centralized hub for information dissemination during Human Trafficking Prevention Month and beyond. By facilitating knowledge-sharing and collaboration, the toolkit contributes to a collective effort in the fight against human trafficking, promoting a safer and more informed society. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to explore the toolkit and leverage its contents to contribute to the crucial mission of preventing and addressing human trafficking in the United States.

The Children's Bureau website hosts information on child welfare programs, funding, monitoring, training and technical assistance, laws, statistics, research, federal reporting, and much more. The following

The Children&#39;s Bureau website hosts information on child welfare programs, funding, monitoring, training and technical assistance, laws, statistics, research, federal reporting, and much more. 
The following list includes recent additions or updates to the Children’s Bureau site and a selection of recent items from the Administration for Children and Families:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://cblcc.acf.hhs.gov/shareable-media/modules/2024-race-equity-challenge/?utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_source&#61;2024RaceEquityChallenge022024" rel="nofollow">Children’s Bureau 2024 Race Equity Challenge</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/policy-guidance/im-24-01" rel="nofollow">IM-24-01: Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) Procurements; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/policy-guidance/pi-24-01" rel="nofollow">PI-24-01: Guidelines for Conducting Time-Limited Information Technology Demonstration </a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/policy-guidance/pi-24-01" rel="nofollow">Projects (Pilots) in a Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System Environment</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/policy-guidance/pi-24-02" rel="nofollow">PI-24-02: Summary of the actions required in completion and submission of (1) the Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP) Final Report and CAPTA Update FYs 2020-2024, (2) the CFSP for FYs 2025-2029, and (3) the CFS-101, Parts I, II, and III</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/policy-guidance/pi-24-03?utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_source&#61;PI-24-03_022324" rel="nofollow">PI-24-03: Guidance to tribes on actions required to complete and submit the (1) Final Report for FYs 2020-2024; (2) the new CFSP for FYs 2025- 2029; and (3) the CFS-101, Parts I, II, and III</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/child-maltreatment-2022" rel="nofollow">Child Maltreatment 2022</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/cwo-2020" rel="nofollow">Child Welfare Outcomes 2020: Report to Congress</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/report/cwo-2020-summary?utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_source&#61;govdelivery" rel="nofollow">Child Welfare Outcomes 2020: Report to Congress Executive Summary</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/tribal-consultation-nprms-legal-foster-care" rel="nofollow">Tribal Consultation on the NPRMs for Legal Representation in Foster Care and for Safe and Appropriate Placements and Services</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/tribal-lookup-table-fy2025" rel="nofollow">Tribal Federal Medical Assistance Percentage Look-Up Table for FY 2025</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/tribal-fmap-reference-table-fy-2025" rel="nofollow">Tribal Federal Medical Assistance Percentage Reference Table for FY 2025</a></li></ul>
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li>FY2024 Discretionary Grant Forecasts:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: circle;" type="disc"><li><a title="https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/351099" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ3JhbnRzLmdvdi9zZWFyY2gtcmVzdWx0cy1kZXRhaWwvMzUxMDk5P3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1ub2ZvZnkyNCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Tm9mb2ZvcmVjYXN0MDIyMjI0IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDIyMi45MDY1NTM2MSJ9.FF4watu4KxJaxkgdKg_Fn3gmLx2fWH80XYBpzICxmWE/s/2979813196/br/237574295686-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">The National Center for Tribal Child Welfare Innovation and Advancement (HHS-2024-ACF-ACYF-CZ-0067)</a></li><li><a title="https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/351102" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ3JhbnRzLmdvdi9zZWFyY2gtcmVzdWx0cy1kZXRhaWwvMzUxMTAyP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1ub2ZvZnkyNCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Tm9mb2ZvcmVjYXN0MDIyMjI0IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDIyMi45MDY1NTM2MSJ9.BElFJ_TkhZiatflb_Wntun2oxisjEtSBNJOo0bcKk3Q/s/2979813196/br/237574295686-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">National Child Welfare Center for Court Innovation and Advancement (HHS-2024-ACF-ACYF-CZ-0066)</a></li><li><a title="https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/349741" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ3JhbnRzLmdvdi9zZWFyY2gtcmVzdWx0cy1kZXRhaWwvMzQ5NzQxP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1ub2ZvZnkyNCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Tm9mb2ZvcmVjYXN0MDIyMjI0IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDIyMi45MDY1NTM2MSJ9.kETpz3UAhba5aMJNQDN3nC0GA_Ho4a8cb2uAbiOj3Ho/s/2979813196/br/237574295686-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (HHS-2024-ACF-ACYF-CZ-0052)</a></li><li><a title="https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/349737" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ3JhbnRzLmdvdi9zZWFyY2gtcmVzdWx0cy1kZXRhaWwvMzQ5NzM3P3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1ub2ZvZnkyNCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Tm9mb2ZvcmVjYXN0MDIyMjI0IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDIyMi45MDY1NTM2MSJ9.1COyHIKU_3XFf7ee0JKhXM9kaKyO4yMPLgd7RnM5WS8/s/2979813196/br/237574295686-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Quality Improvement Center on Helplines and Hotlines (HHS-2024-ACF-ACYF-CA-0022)</a></li><li><a title="https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/335870" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ3JhbnRzLmdvdi9zZWFyY2gtcmVzdWx0cy1kZXRhaWwvMzM1ODcwP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1ub2ZvZnkyNCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Tm9mb2ZvcmVjYXN0MDIyMjI0IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDIyMi45MDY1NTM2MSJ9.OUZN0Tc74G2SsySTrSWAMOiRWPAJnA_nDh-ECsH6cFI/s/2979813196/br/237574295686-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Standing Announcement for Tribal Title IV-E Plan (HHS-2022-ACF-ACYF-CS-0079)</a></li><li><a title="https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/349748" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ3JhbnRzLmdvdi9zZWFyY2gtcmVzdWx0cy1kZXRhaWwvMzQ5NzQ4P3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1ub2ZvZnkyNCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Tm9mb2ZvcmVjYXN0MDIyMjI0IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDIyMi45MDY1NTM2MSJ9.euHARlGyVvjpG4foFTBK8AbBlvd4ikH3W5kYhRakn6c/s/2979813196/br/237574295686-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">State-Tribal Partnerships to Implement Best Practices in Indian Child Welfare (HHS-2024-ACF-ACYF-CW-0056)</a></li><li><a title="https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/349757" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDksInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vZ3JhbnRzLmdvdi9zZWFyY2gtcmVzdWx0cy1kZXRhaWwvMzQ5NzU3P3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1ub2ZvZnkyNCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Tm9mb2ZvcmVjYXN0MDIyMjI0IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDI0MDIyMi45MDY1NTM2MSJ9.7b7dpsuX8Da70mi9PdAkG-g6vHhXVtw8ljNZi6e7CB0/s/2979813196/br/237574295686-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Tribal Court Improvement Program (HHS-2024-ACF-ACYF-CS-0053)</a></li></ul>
</li></ul>
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/report/introduction-child-welfare-community-collaborations-grantees-and-strategies" rel="nofollow">An Introduction to the Child Welfare Community Collaborations Grantees and Strategies</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/report/child-welfare-community-collaborations-cross-site-process-evaluation-design-and-methods" rel="nofollow">Child Welfare Community Collaborations Cross-Site Process Evaluation Design and Methods</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/report/child-welfare-community-collaborations-projects-glance" rel="nofollow">Child Welfare Community Collaborations Projects at a Glance</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/report/modifying-dialectical-behavior-therapy-mindfulness-curriculum-implemented-transition" rel="nofollow">Modifying the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Mindfulness Curriculum Implemented With Transition-Age Youth and Young Adults in Foster Care</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/media/press/2024/child-maltreatment-victims-have-decreased-past-five-years-new-low" rel="nofollow">Child Maltreatment Victims Have Decreased for the Past Five Years to a New Low</a> [Press release]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/media/press/2024/hhs-releases-guidance-help-prevent-homelessness-youth-who-have-transitioned-out" rel="nofollow">HHS Releases Guidance to Help Prevent Homelessness for Youth Who Have Transitioned Out of Foster Care</a> [Press release]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/policy-guidance/strengthening-support-adolescents-and-young-adults-acf-programs" rel="nofollow">ACF-ACYF-IOAS-DCL-24-01: Strengthening Support for Adolescents and Young Adults in ACF Programs</a> [Dear colleague letter]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/blog/2024/02/power-connections" rel="nofollow">“The Power of Connections”</a> [The Family Room blog]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/blog/2024/01/how-do-we-measure-whether-and-how-evidence-used" rel="nofollow">“How Do We Measure Whether and How Evidence Is Used?”</a> [OPRE Insights blog]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/blog/2024/01/top-10-most-popular-new-publications-2023" rel="nofollow">“Top 10 Most Popular New Publications in 2023”</a> [OPRE Insights blog]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/blog/2024/01/what-does-it-mean-use-evidence-well" rel="nofollow">“What Does It Mean to Use Evidence Well?”</a> [OPRE Insights blog]</li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Children&#39;s Bureau website </a>often to see what&#39;s new.

Written by Children's Bureau Division of State Systems staff The regulations that describe a Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) at 45 CFR §1355.50-59 are intended to support title IV-E

Engaging Lived Experience to Strengthen Comprehensive Child Welfare Information Systems

Written by Children&#39;s Bureau Division of State Systems staff
The regulations that describe a Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) at 45 CFR §1355.50-59 are intended to support title IV-E agency efforts to improve outcomes across the spectrum of child welfare services. The effectiveness of a CCWIS depends on the agency’s understanding of ever-evolving program and user requirements, along with the diverse needs and perspectives of those individuals, families, and communities served by child welfare and related organizations.
With the flexibility afforded to title IV-E agencies building a CCWIS, agencies can broaden their historical definitions of system users and expand the makeup of project governance to ensure they are being inclusive of populations historically marginalized by child welfare systems.
One such population is youth and young adults with lived experience in foster care, a group that agencies sometimes overlook, as revealed during our Technical Assistance Monitoring Reviews of CCWIS projects. We strongly encourage agencies to consider this population a key partner through all phases of a CCWIS project. Involving youth and young adults with lived experience is necessary for two primary reasons.
First, access to data in a CCWIS provides youth and young adults a gateway to crucial information and documents amassed during their time in foster care. It can also support efforts to enhance data accuracy, help with effective communication, encourage information sharing, offer a platform for soliciting input, and streamline data collection.
The significance of this access extends beyond mere convenience. For youth and young adults, access to case records is instrumental in various facets of their lives, including their efforts to pursue employment, enroll in higher education or military service, search for a place to live, obtain a driver’s license, address medical and service needs, and maintain vital connections with siblings and other family members.
EXAMPLE: A young adult cannot submit accurate information for a military security clearance because they cannot access placement and school records without setting an appointment with the title IV-E agency and physically visiting the office, which is several states away.
The opportunity for a young person to easily retrieve their case information signifies more than just access—it represents empowerment. With active participation in their case, they can stay connected, establish direct communication channels with their case team, and take charge of their electronic records by both accessing and updating them as needed.
Second, youth and young adults with lived experience in foster care want to know how their information in a CCWIS is being used, and they are the best resource to ensure they are represented honestly and accurately. A title IV-E agency may not naturally consider potential use cases or adequately mitigate risks if the agency does not include the input of a person with lived experience.
EXAMPLE: A data exchange between child welfare and education is needed to ensure the educational needs of children in foster care are being met. However, some of the information exchanged is extremely sensitive, and youth in foster care may not realize the information is ultimately shared with schools. Without the involvement of lived-experience experts, safeguards for this information were overlooked, which led to student workers at a high school having access to a peer’s information in the school record, causing embarrassment and loss of normalcy.
For more information on this subject, several use cases, and two case studies, refer to the Children’s Bureau’s <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/training-technical-assistance/engaging-youth-information-systems-design-toolkit" rel="nofollow">Engaging Youth in Information System Design Toolkit</a>.
 
Additional Resources
<a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/training-technical-assistance/ccwis-lived-experience" rel="nofollow">&#34;Engaging Lived Experience to Strengthen CCWIS&#34;</a>: This webinar reinforces the idea that technology innovations can have real-world impacts on youth in care and provides guidance on how to engage lived experience throughout a CCWIS project.
<a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/policy-guidance/im-24-01" rel="nofollow">IM-24-01: Equitable Contracting and Procurement</a>: This Information Memorandum provides agencies with information on contracting and procurement practices that promote the increased participation of small businesses owned by members of disadvantaged, underserved, and marginalized communities in solicitations to develop a CCWIS.

The Children's Bureau funded studies in both 2014 and 2020 to assess the effectiveness of the services provided by the Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative. Information from these studies has

Findings and Resources From Children's Bureau Evaluations of Training and Technical Assistance

The Children&#39;s Bureau funded studies in both 2014 and 2020 to assess the effectiveness of the services provided by the Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative. Information from these studies has been compiled into a collection, <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/capacity/cross-center-evaluation" rel="nofollow">Findings and Resources From CB Evaluations of Training and Technical Assistance</a>. These documents encompass detailed findings, an overview of the studies, and insights into measuring organizational capacity.
The evaluation delves into the core aspects of the Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative (Collaborative), shedding light on its impact and effectiveness in supporting child welfare services. The Collaborative is a partnership of three Capacity Building Centers (the Centers): the Center for Courts, the Center for States, and the Center for Tribes. These Centers offer training and technical assistance to state and tribal child welfare agencies and court improvement programs. By offering a thorough examination of the Collaborative&#39;s services, the resources provide insights into its strengths and areas for improvement.
Highlights from the resource collection include the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/building-capacity-child-welfare-report" rel="nofollow">Building Capacity in Child Welfare: Findings From a Five-Year Evaluation of the Capacity Building Collaborative - Report</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/resource/organizational-capacity-measure" rel="nofollow">How Can Organizational Capacity Be Measured?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/resource/organizational-capacity-build" rel="nofollow">How Do We Build Organizational Capacity in Child Welfare?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/incorporating-lived-experience-child-welfare-capacity-building" rel="nofollow">Incorporating Lived Experience Into Child Welfare Capacity Building</a></li></ul>
In addition to presenting findings, the resources cover organizational capacity and how to measure it effectively. This is crucial for organizations aiming to bolster their capabilities in delivering quality child welfare services. The resources can equip child welfare professionals, agencies, and policymakers with the knowledge they need to assess and enhance organizational capacity within the context of child welfare.
Child welfare professionals, policymakers, and organizations involved in child welfare services are encouraged to explore this resource collection to glean valuable insights, informed by evidence-based evaluations, as they work to build organizational capacity to improve child and family well-being.

The National Child Welfare Workforce Institute hosted the webinar "4 Cs of Workforce Development: Culture, Competency, Capacity, & Community" this past September as part of the 2023 Workforce Development

Webinar Discusses the 4 Cs of Workforce Development: Culture, Competency, Capacity, & Community

The National Child Welfare Workforce Institute hosted the webinar <a href="https://vimeo.com/868299979" rel="nofollow">&#34;4 Cs of Workforce Development: Culture, Competency, Capacity, &amp; Community&#34;</a> this past September as part of the 2023 Workforce Development Month. It featured the Child Welfare League of America’s (CWLA’s) Emerging Leaders Committee, a network of child welfare professionals who seek to do the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Provide networking opportunities for child welfare professionals at all levels of practice, a professional forum for support, opportunities for career growth, and a safe space for the exchange of ideas related to the field of child welfare</li><li>Recommend or create learning opportunities for emerging leaders in CWLA member agencies</li><li>Work with CWLA to identify strategies to connect future leaders with mentorship opportunities</li></ul>
A diverse panel of child welfare professionals from public and private agencies who are also committee cochairs, led by moderator Julie Collins, Vice President of Practice Excellence for CWLA, discussed the Emerging Leadership Committee and its <a href="https://www.cwla.org/our-work/cwla-standards-of-excellence/" rel="nofollow">Standards of Excellence</a>, a set of standards that are regularly reviewed, revised, and newly developed that are widely accepted as the foundation for sound U.S. child welfare practice.
The newest standards address the following workforce-related principles and were the focus of the webinar’s discussion:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>The workforce is diverse, well resourced, appropriately compensated, prepared, and responsive.</li><li>The organizational culture is safe, supportive, trauma-informed, values ongoing learning, and is rooted in equity, inclusion, and belonging.</li></ul>
Panelists spoke to the 4 Cs (culture, competency, capacity, and community) and shared actionable steps agencies can take to incorporate strategies supporting employee wellness, professional development, and community partnerships.
To learn more, watch the webinar <a href="https://vimeo.com/868299979" rel="nofollow">&#34;4 Cs of Workforce Development: Culture, Competency, Capacity, &amp; Community.&#34;</a>

The Children's Bureau funds several technical assistance centers to provide professionals with tools to better serve children, youth, and families. The following are some of the latest resources from these

Updates From the Children's Bureau's Training and Technical Assistance Partners

The Children&#39;s Bureau funds several technical assistance centers to provide professionals with tools to better serve children, youth, and families. The following are some of the latest resources from these partners.
Child Welfare Information Gateway
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/child-maltreatment-2022-summary/" rel="nofollow">Child Maltreatment 2022: Summary</a> [Infographic]</li><li><a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/clergy-mandatory-reporters-child-abuse-and-neglect/" rel="nofollow">Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect</a></li><li><a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/leaving-your-child-home-alone/" rel="nofollow">Leaving Your Child Home Alone</a></li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/" rel="nofollow">Information Gateway website</a> for more.
 
Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li>Center for Courts</li><li>Center for States
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="circle"><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/assessment-tool-fostering-psychological-safety-on-child-welfare-teams" rel="nofollow">Assessment Tool: Fostering Psychological Safety on Child Welfare Teams</a></li><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/cfsr-statewide-assessment-readiness-checklist-timelines-and-organization" rel="nofollow">CFSR Statewide Assessment Readiness Checklist, Timelines, and Organization</a></li><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/topics/cqi/change-implementation/teaming/teaming-worksheets" rel="nofollow">Change and Implementation in Practice: Teaming Worksheets</a></li><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/fostering-psychological-safety-on-child-welfare-teams-overview" rel="nofollow">Fostering Psychological Safety on Child Welfare Teams Overview</a></li><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/topics/youth-development/division-x/vital-documents-and-credit-reports-tip-sheet" rel="nofollow">Vital Documents and Credit Reports Tip Sheet</a></li><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/strategic-planning-in-child-welfare-agency-process-alignment-toolkit" rel="nofollow">Strategic Planning in Child Welfare: Agency Process Alignment Toolkit</a></li></ul>
</li><li>Center for Tribes Tribal Information Exchange 
<ul style="list-style-position: inside; list-style-type: circle;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://tribalinformationexchange.org/index.php/PODCAST/" rel="nofollow">“Supporting Gender Diverse Indigenous Youth,”</a> Parts 1 and 2 [Podcast]</li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v&#61;BNu5DUaGCX0" rel="nofollow">“Tribal Child Welfare Data System Procurement Webinar Series Part 1 - Planning for a New Data System”</a> [Webinar recording]</li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v&#61;Mj6RlSo4NbQ" rel="nofollow">“Tribal Child Welfare Data System Procurement Webinar Series Part 2 - Procuring a Tribal Child Welfare Data System”</a> [Webinar recording]</li><li><a href="https://maine.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e5_MiEzQRX2ZTKSYpaCudw?utm_source&#61;Center&#43;for&#43;Tribes&#43;Outreach&amp;utm_campaign&#61;f1f8ba9547-datasystemwebinar_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_term&#61;0_c52045c6a7-f1f8ba9547-380834570#/registration" rel="nofollow">Registration</a> is open for the March 13, 2024, webinar “Tribal Child Welfare Data System Procurement Webinar Series Part 3 - Contracting With Data System Vendors”</li><li><a href="https://us11.campaign-archive.com/?u&#61;927bf357a0b39086d25cc370d&amp;id&#61;4015a1adbf" rel="nofollow">Winter 2024 Newsletter</a></li></ul>
</li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/" rel="nofollow">Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative website</a> for more.
 
Children&#39;s Bureau Learning and Coordination Center (CBLCC)
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://cblcc.acf.hhs.gov/shareable-media/modules/2024-race-equity-challenge/?utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_source&#61;2024RaceEquityChallenge022024" rel="nofollow">Children’s Bureau 2024 Race Equity Challenge</a></li><li><a href="https://cblcc.acf.hhs.gov/shareable-media/teen-dating-violence-social-media-gallery/" rel="nofollow">Social Media Resources for Teen Dating Violence</a></li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://cblcc.acf.hhs.gov/" rel="nofollow">CBLCC website</a> for more.
 
FRIENDS National Resource Center
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://friendsnrc.org/resources/february-2024-cbcap-peer-learning-call-making-the-evidence-around-economic-and-concrete-supports-actionable/" rel="nofollow">“February 2024 CBCAP Peer Learning Call – Making the Evidence Around Economic and Concrete Supports Actionable”</a> [Webinar recording]</li><li><a href="https://friendsnrc.org/resources/january-2024-cbcap-peer-learning-call-including-the-parent-voice-in-your-cbcap-activities/" rel="nofollow">“January 2024 CBCAP Peer Learning Call – Including the Parent Voice in Your CBCAP Activities”</a> [Webinar recording]</li><li><a href="https://friendsnrc.org/resources/parent-practitioner-newsletter-winter-2024/" rel="nofollow">Parents &amp; Practitioners Winter 2024</a></li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://friendsnrc.org/" rel="nofollow">FRIENDS National Resource Center website</a> for more.
 
Center for Workforce Equity and Leadership
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://www.cwel.org/grant-announcement/" rel="nofollow">“Families Rising Announces Receipt of $25 Million Federal Grant”</a> [Announcement]</li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://www.cwel.org/" rel="nofollow">Center for Workforce Equity and Leadership website</a> for more.
 
National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/media/press/2023/media/hhs-awards-20-million-launch-first-national-center-support-mental-health" rel="nofollow">Press Release</a></li><li><a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USACFCBCS/2023/11/16/file_attachments/2686928/The%20National%20Center%20for%20Adoption%20Competent%20Mental%20Health%20Services.pdf" rel="nofollow">The National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services</a> [Brochure]</li><li><a href="https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/resource/blog/the-importance-of-adoption-competent-services/" rel="nofollow">“The Importance of Adoption Competent Services”</a> [Blog post]</li><li><a href="https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/resource/blog/learn-about-technical-assistance-for-tribes/" rel="nofollow">“Learn About Technical Assistance for Tribes”</a> [Blog post]</li><li><a href="https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/resource/blog/my-hunt-for-home/" rel="nofollow">“My Hunt for Home”</a> [Blog post]</li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/" rel="nofollow">National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services website</a> for more.
 
National Center for Diligent Recruitment
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USACFCBCS/2023/11/16/file_attachments/2686930/The%20National%20Center%20for%20Diligent%20Recruitment.pdf" rel="nofollow">National Center for Diligent Recruitment</a> [Brochure]</li><li><a href="https://professionals.adoptuskids.org/new-from-adoptuskids-national-center-for-diligent-recruitment/" rel="nofollow">“New from AdoptUSKids: National Center for Diligent Recruitment”</a> [AdoptUSKids’ blog post]</li><li><a href="https://professionals.adoptuskids.org/the-national-center-for-diligent-recruitment-at-adoptuskids-welcomes-new-director/" rel="nofollow">“The National Center for Diligent Recruitment at AdoptUSKids Welcomes New Director”</a> [AdoptUSKids’ article]</li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://diligentrecruitment.org/" rel="nofollow">National Center for Diligent Recruitment website</a> for more.
 
National Center for Enhanced Post-Adoption Support
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://postadoptioncenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NCFE-Post-Adoption-Support_Brochure-2024.pdf" rel="nofollow">National Center for Enhanced Post-Adoption Support</a> [Brochure]</li></ul>
Visit the <a href="http://www.postadoptioncenter.org/" rel="nofollow">National Center for Enhanced Post-Adoption Support website</a> for more.
 
National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW)
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://ncsacw.acf.hhs.gov/topics/building-capacity/collaborating-across-service-systems-series/" rel="nofollow">Collaborating Across Service Systems: How to Develop a Comprehensive Data Approach for Families Affected by Prenatal Substance Exposure: A Two-Part Series</a>:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://ncsacw.acf.hhs.gov/files/infant-data-brief-1.pdf" rel="nofollow">BRIEF 1: State Data Collection and Reporting Approaches for Infants and Families Affected by Prenatal Substance Exposure</a></li><li><a href="https://ncsacw.acf.hhs.gov/files/infant-data-brief-2.pdf" rel="nofollow">BRIEF 2: Implementation Guidance for Developing a Comprehensive Data Approach for Infants and Families Affected by Prenatal Substance Exposure</a></li></ul>
</li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://ncsacw.acf.hhs.gov/" rel="nofollow">NCSACW website</a> for more.
 
National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI)
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://ncwwi.org/document/mental-health-and-the-child-welfare-workforce/" rel="nofollow">“Mental Health and the Child Welfare Workforce”</a> [Infographic]</li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://ncwwi.org/" rel="nofollow">NCWWI website</a> for more.
 
National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect (NDACAN)
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://www.ndacan.acf.hhs.gov/datasets/dataset-details.cfm?ID&#61;280" rel="nofollow">National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) Agency File FFY 2022</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ndacan.acf.hhs.gov/datasets/dataset-details.cfm?ID&#61;279" rel="nofollow">National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) Child File, FFY 2022</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ndacan.acf.hhs.gov/datasets/dataset-details.cfm?ID&#61;273" rel="nofollow">The National Survey on Child and Adolescent Well-Being III (NSCAW III) Restricted Release, Wave 1</a> [Data set]</li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://www.ndacan.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm" rel="nofollow">NDACAN website</a> for more.
 
Quality Improvement Center for Workforce Analytics (QIC-WA)
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xaUvbTKSTUSz0BLzhfIFqw#/registration" rel="nofollow">Call for Applications from Tribal Agencies</a> [Webinar registration]</li><li><a href="https://www.canva.com/design/DAF6RH4WLik/2GErOjacZtBwdlijcoD0OQ/watch" rel="nofollow">QIC-WA Call for Sites Webinar</a></li><li><a href="https://ucla.app.box.com/s/bc19yepmu57xaqhjk6veanfq1jy4u3v2" rel="nofollow">QIC-WA Request for Applications</a></li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://www.qic-wa.org/" rel="nofollow">QIC-WA website</a> for more.
 
Quality Improvement Center for Workforce Development (QIC-WD)
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://mailchi.mp/qic-wd/final-qic-wd-newsletter-sept2023" rel="nofollow">Final QIC-WD Newsletter</a></li><li><a href="https://www.qic-wd.org/umbrella-summary/diversity-and-inclusion-climates" rel="nofollow">Umbrella Summary: Diversity and Inclusion Climates</a></li><li><a href="https://www.qic-wd.org/umbrella-summary/meaningful-work" rel="nofollow">Umbrella Summary: Meaningful Work</a></li><li><a href="https://www.qic-wd.org/umbrella-summary/perceived-organizational-support" rel="nofollow">Umbrella Summary: Perceived Organizational Support</a></li><li><a href="https://www.qic-wd.org/institute-resources" rel="nofollow">Institute Resources</a></li><li><a href="https://www.qic-wd.org/catalog/" rel="nofollow">Workforce Research Catalog</a> [Tool]</li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://www.qic-wd.org/" rel="nofollow">QIC-WD website</a> for more.
 
Quality Improvement Center on Engaging Youth in Finding Permanency (QIC-EY)
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://qic-ey.org/qic-ey-now-overview/" rel="nofollow">QIC-EY NOW</a> [Tool]</li><li><a href="https://qic-ey.org/qic-ey-now-items/create-opportunities-for-children-youth-to-be-successful-even-in-the-lighter-moments/" rel="nofollow">“QIC-EY NOW: Create Opportunities for Children &amp; Youth to be Successful even in the Lighter Moments”</a> [Video]</li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v&#61;mAVMuhturmg&amp;list&#61;PLZNIUTRHm92bK1jD11vcX0Qz6zObZWivb&amp;index&#61;23" rel="nofollow">“QIC-EY NOW: Get Even More Comfortable With Change”</a> [Video]</li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v&#61;USEprOjF6nE&amp;list&#61;PLZNIUTRHm92bK1jD11vcX0Qz6zObZWivb&amp;index&#61;22" rel="nofollow">“QIC-EY NOW: Recognize That Children &amp; Youth Need Reassurance, Dependability &amp; Consistency”</a> [Video]</li><li><a href="https://qic-ey.org/qic-ey-now-items/seeing-all-that-is-amazing-about-children-youth/" rel="nofollow">“QIC-EY NOW: Seeing All that is Amazing about Children &amp; Youth”</a> [Video]</li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://qic-ey.org/" rel="nofollow">QIC-EY website</a> for more.
 
Quality Improvement Center on Family-Centered Reunification (QIC-R)
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://qicfamilyreunification.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Best-Practices-to-Empower-Self-Care-Support-Wellness-PPSPs.pdf" rel="nofollow">Best Practices to Empower Self-Care and Support Wellness for Peer Parent Support Partners</a></li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://qicfamilyreunification.org/" rel="nofollow">QIC-R website</a> for more.
 
Quality Improvement Center on Tailored Services, Placement Stability, and Permanency for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Two-Spirit Children and Youth in Foster Care (QIC-LGBTQ2S) at the National Center for Youth with Diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity &amp; Expression (SOGIE Center)
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://sogiecenter.org/2024/02/02/reframing-the-narrative-of-substance-use-and-risk-among-lgbtq-communities/" rel="nofollow">“Reframing the Narrative of Substance Use and Risk Among LGBTQ&#43; Communities”</a> [Blog post]</li></ul>
Visit the <a title="QIC-LGBTQ2S on the SOGIE Center website" href="https://sogiecenter.org/programs/" rel="nofollow">QIC-LGBTQ2S on the SOGIE Center website</a> for more.
 
AdoptUSKids
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://blog.adoptuskids.org/growing-together-how-a-family-of-five-adopted-a-teen-they-knew/" rel="nofollow">“Growing Together: How a Family of Five Adopted a Teen They Knew”</a> [Blog post]</li><li><a href="https://blog.adoptuskids.org/sibling-bonds-three-families-share-their-stories-of-adopting-siblings/" rel="nofollow">“Sibling Bonds: Three Families Share Their Stories of Adopting Siblings”</a> [Blog post]</li><li><a href="https://professionals.adoptuskids.org/the-most-popular-child-welfare-resources-for-professionals/" rel="nofollow">“The Most Popular Child Welfare Resources for Professionals”</a> [Article]</li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://adoptuskids.org/" rel="nofollow">AdoptUSKids website</a> for more.
 
James Bell Associates
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://www.jbassoc.com/resource/child-welfare-measures-library/" rel="nofollow">Child Welfare Measures Library</a></li><li><a href="https://www.jbassoc.com/resource/podcast-the-future-of-child-welfare-reform/" rel="nofollow">The Future of Child Welfare Reform</a> [Podcast series]</li><li><a href="https://www.jbassoc.com/resource/incorporating-lived-experience-into-child-welfare-capacity-building-highlights-from-the-childrens-bureau-child-welfare-capacity-building-collaborative/" rel="nofollow">Incorporating Lived Experience Into Child Welfare Capacity Building</a></li><li><a href="https://www.jbassoc.com/news-events/jba-developed-resources-featured-in-federal-evaluation-toolkit/" rel="nofollow">JBA-Developed Resources Featured in Federal Evaluation Toolkit</a> [News]</li><li><a href="https://www.jbassoc.com/news-events/new-podcast-series-explores-the-future-of-child-welfare-reform/" rel="nofollow">New Podcast Series Explores the Future of Child Welfare Reform</a> [News]</li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://www.jbassoc.com/" rel="nofollow">James Bell Associates website</a> for more.

AdoptUSKids has expanded its project to create the National Center for Diligent Recruitment. This new addition provides free technical assistance (TA) to states, tribes, and territories, helping them develop

New From AdoptUSKids: National Center for Diligent Recruitment

AdoptUSKids has expanded its project to create the <a href="https://professionals.adoptuskids.org/new-from-adoptuskids-national-center-for-diligent-recruitment/" rel="nofollow">National Center for Diligent Recruitment</a>. This new addition provides free technical assistance (TA) to states, tribes, and territories, helping them develop and implement effective, data-driven diligent recruitment plans. Child welfare professionals engaging with the National Center for Diligent Recruitment gain access to valuable tools and expertise, emphasizing evidence-based decision-making in addressing the varied needs of children awaiting adoption.
The center will offer several types of onsite TA:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Universal TA</li><li>Constituency group TA</li><li>Tailored TA</li><li>Proactive outreach TA</li></ul>
By delivering diverse TA options, the center aims to improve the efficiency and relevance of recruitment plans, tailoring them to the specific challenges faced by different regions.
The center&#39;s commitment to collaboration and practical assistance aligns with the overarching goal of enhancing outcomes for children in foster care. By providing tangible support, the National Center for Diligent Recruitment will play a vital role in advancing diligent recruitment efforts and supporting foster, adoptive, and kinship families in providing safe, loving, and culturally appropriate homes for children in out-of-home care.

A strong partnership between birth parents and foster caregivers is an important element of child welfare practice that can have many benefits for children, youth, and families. A learning module from

The Importance of Birth Parent and Foster Caregiver Partnerships

A strong partnership between birth parents and foster caregivers is an important element of child welfare practice that can have many benefits for children, youth, and families. A learning module from the Children’s Bureau Learning and Coordination Center provides information about these important partnerships and how professionals can contribute to their success.
Users can navigate the module topics to do the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Explore the importance of relationships between birth parents and foster caregivers</li><li>Understand these relationships from a family systems perspective</li><li>Learn family systems concepts that can support birth parent and foster caregiver partnerships</li><li>Hear from birth parents and foster caregivers about their experiences</li><li>Use reflective exercises to think about personal experiences in complex relationships</li><li>Create a journal for promoting birth parent and foster caregiver relationships</li></ul>
The module also provides an overview of family systems theory, which focuses on relationships within the family system and patterns of emotional interactions among individuals. The training details how family systems theory can be applied to child welfare.
The training module, <a href="https://cblcc.acf.hhs.gov/shareable-media/modules/birth-foster-module/" rel="nofollow">&#34;Birth Parent and Foster Caregiver Partnerships: A Family Systems Perspective,&#34;</a> is free and available on the Children’s Bureau Learning and Coordination Center website.

Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child released a working paper exploring the impact of a child’s physical environment on their development and health. Place Matters: The Environment We Create

The Impact of a Child's Physical Environment on Their Development and Well-Being

Harvard University&#39;s Center on the Developing Child released a working paper exploring the impact of a child’s physical environment on their development and health. <a href="https://developingchild.harvard.edu/place-matters-the-environment-we-create-shapes-the-foundations-of-healthy-development/" rel="nofollow">Place Matters: The Environment We Create Shapes the Foundations of Healthy Development</a> examines how the many conditions in the places where children live, grow, play, and learn affect their development and biological systems—with impacts potentially leading into adulthood.
The paper examines how a person’s various environments—built, natural, social, and systemic—interact and influence development and health. Published in March of 2023, the paper builds on the science presented in a prior <a href="https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/connecting-the-brain-to-the-rest-of-the-body-early-childhood-development-and-lifelong-health-are-deeply-intertwined/" rel="nofollow">working paper</a> on how early childhood development is intertwined with lifelong health.
In addition to presenting research on the relationship between a child&#39;s physical environment and development, the paper examines how public policy and systemic racism create inequitable access to opportunities. It presents strategies for reimagining and reshaping these environmental influences to make opportunities more accessible and equitable.
The paper addresses the following topics and findings:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li>The conditions of a place can have positive or negative influences on child health and development.</li><li>Environmental exposure early in life can cause lasting changes in developing biological systems.</li><li>Racism influences multiple dimensions of the natural and built environments that affect the foundations of child development and lifelong well-being.</li><li>The timing of environmental experiences and exposures can influence both short- and long-term effects.</li><li>Individuals respond differently to the physical environment, but there are clear patterns of risk that can inform universal action.</li></ul>
The authors also present implications for new directions in policy, with a focus on the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Strengthening community assets that support healthy development</li><li>Preventing, reducing, or mitigating environmental conditions that threaten human well-being</li><li>Understanding how both assets and threats are built into the body, beginning prenatally and in the early childhood period</li></ul>
Access the paper on the <a href="https://developingchild.harvard.edu/place-matters-the-environment-we-create-shapes-the-foundations-of-healthy-development/" rel="nofollow">Center on the Developing Child website</a>.
Related item: In the Training and Conferences section of this issue, we highlight the related recorded webinar “Understanding Racism’s Impact on Child Development: Working Toward Fairness of Place in the United States.”

Protective community resources (PCRs) are community-level characteristics, conditions, or assets that buffer the effects of risk on children and youth. A recent brief from Child Trends explores research

The Benefits of Protective Community Resources for Black Children and Youth

Protective community resources (PCRs) are community-level characteristics, conditions, or assets that buffer the effects of risk on children and youth. A recent brief from Child Trends explores research from the past 10 years on PCRs for Black children and youth.
<a href="https://www.childtrends.org/publications/black-children-youth-benefit-research-protective-community-resources" rel="nofollow">“Black Children and Youth Can Benefit From Focused Research on Protective Community Resources”</a> analyzes research on PCRs and Black children and youth from 2012 to 2022, specifically from 143 studies. One major finding was the importance of community cohesion, peer support, school connectedness, community role models, and neighborhood amenities and services. Nearly two-thirds of the studies examined at least one of those elements, with the following findings:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Community cohesion, or close social relationships among members of a community, is associated with positive behavioral and mental health outcomes for Black children and youth who have been exposed to challenges like economic hardship, discrimination, and violence.</li><li>Positive peer support is associated with positive impacts on youths&#39; physical and mental health as well as their attitude, behavior, and success related to school.</li><li>School connectedness, or positive school environments and connection with teachers and staff, is positively associated with educational goals and prosocial behavior.</li><li>Community role models and mentors can be protective resources for Black children and youth.</li><li>Neighborhood amenities and services, such as sidewalks, recreation centers, libraries, grocery stores, medical providers, and mental health providers, are associated with health and safety among Black children and youth.</li></ul>
While the brief outlines and provides details about these findings, it also acknowledges that there are still substantial knowledge gaps related to PCRs for Black children and youth. The brief asserts that these gaps are due to the limited representation and engagement of Black children and youth in research and research studies. There are also gaps in research about Black youth who are members of the LGBTQIA2S&#43; (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual, Two-Spirit, or other gender or sexual identity) community. In addition, much of the existing research is focused on urban populations and not rural populations.
The gaps indicate potential direction for future studies on PCRs for Black children and youth. For example, research on key demographic areas (age, sexual and gender identity, ethnicity, employment status, and so on) within the larger population of Black children and youth can provide meaningful data.
The brief is available on the <a href="https://www.childtrends.org/publications/black-children-youth-benefit-research-protective-community-resources" rel="nofollow">Child Trends website</a>.

Children and youth from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds need support developing a positive racial, ethnic, and cultural identity—especially when they are adopted into a family that doesn't

Supporting Positive Racial Identity Development Among Children in Diverse Adoptive Families

Children and youth from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds need support developing a positive racial, ethnic, and cultural identity—especially when they are adopted into a family that doesn&#39;t share their background. Adoptive families should be prepared to have difficult conversations about race, racism, and White privilege to better support their children.
AdoptUSKids published a discussion guide in 2022 to support these efforts. The guide is designed to help parent group leaders facilitate discussions with adoptive parents, specifically White adoptive parents, of children of color. The topics addressed are meant to help White caregivers understand their role in supporting their child&#39;s racial identity development. The guide is divided into three parts: (1) the history and impact of systemic racism, (2) the reality of White privilege, and (3) racial identity work. It provides resources and tips to help facilitators discuss the following topics with their groups:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Setting expectations for emotional safety</li><li>Systemic racism in the United States</li><li>Defining identity</li><li>The impact of assumptions and implicit biases</li><li>The impact of language</li><li>Working to be culturally aware and open to learning more</li><li>Defining White privilege</li><li>Setting expectations for mutually agreed-upon norms for hard conversations</li><li>Critical responsibilities of those who parent children from different racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds</li><li>Racial identity and broader racial justice considerations</li><li>Navigating a sense of belonging</li><li>Showing your child your work to fight racism</li><li>Parental roles and responsibilities across the lifespan</li></ul>
Within each topic, the guide provides information and resources for facilitators to share and questions to ask. It concludes with five full pages of resources about parenting in racially, culturally, and ethnically diverse families. The free guide, <a href="https://professionals.adoptuskids.org/supporting-a-positive-racial-identity-for-bipoc-children-in-transracial-placements-a-discussion-guide/" rel="nofollow">Supporting a Positive Racial Identity for Black, Indigenous, and Other Children of Color in Transracial Placements With White Parents</a>, is available on the AdoptUSKids website.

Cultural humility among individual members of an organization is important for the equitable treatment of families. But organizations must also implement policies and practices that speak to an overall

FRIENDS Framework Details Elements of Culturally Effective Organizations

Cultural humility among individual members of an organization is important for the equitable treatment of families. But organizations must also implement policies and practices that speak to an overall culturally responsive and equitable organizational culture. Family-serving organizations and agencies can work toward achieving a culture of equity and inclusion using the FRIENDS (Family Resource Information, Education, and Network Development Service) <a href="https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/cultural-effectiveness/" rel="nofollow">framework for culturally effective organizations</a>.
The framework originates from the Institute for Economic and Racial Equity at Brandeis University. It was originally developed for health care but can be adapted for many organizations and disciplines. It is a systems change effort that includes seven elements:
<ol style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Leadership</li><li>Policies and procedures</li><li>Data collection and analysis</li><li>Community engagement</li><li>Language and communication access</li><li>Staff cultural responsiveness</li><li>Workforce diversity and inclusion</li></ol>
The FRIENDS website features an overview of each element and additional resources that users can apply to their efforts to strengthen families. According to FRIENDS, implementing changes in the seven elements and working to become a culturally effective organization can have the following benefits:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Improved engagement by program participants</li><li>Enhanced relationships between participants and practitioners</li><li>Improved outcomes for participants who have experienced historic disparities</li><li>Increased sustainability as a result of cost-effective and culturally relevant services</li></ul>
For more information, visit the FRIENDS <a href="https://friendsnrc.org/prevention/cultural-effectiveness/" rel="nofollow">&#34;Culturally Effective Organizations&#34; webpage</a>.

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) developed a toolkit designed to help juvenile and family court judges enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) within

Toolkit Provides Equity Improvement Strategies for Courts and Justice Systems

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) developed a toolkit designed to help juvenile and family court judges enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) within court systems.
DEIB principles are critical in a judicial context and can mitigate unconscious biases, increase understanding of diverse backgrounds and experiences, and improve public trust in the courts. In addition to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, the toolkit addresses the importance of implementing trauma-informed practices within the judicial system.
The toolkit begins with background information to anchor DEIB efforts. This includes sections on the importance of understanding the impact of colorblind racism on court decision-making and the role of judicial leadership in transforming court systems. The toolkit then shifts to various action plans judicial leadership can implement, including the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Identifying and correcting microaggressions and cultural insensitivity</li><li>Ensuring safety, agency, and social support from the consumer’s perspective</li><li>Addressing pushback and resistance to DEIB efforts</li></ul>
In addition, the toolkit provides guidance for promoting DEIB through mentoring and support, training and education, community engagement, court environment, judicial leadership and advocacy, data collection and analysis, policy and procedure review, and more.
The toolkit was developed in 2022 and 2023, and the effort was led by an expert panel from NCJFCJ and featured partnerships with individuals with lived experience, judicial leaders, and experts on bias and trauma. Access <a href="https://www.ncjfcj.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/DEIB-Toolkit_FINAL_web-version.10.26.23-1.pdf" rel="nofollow">Improving Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Through a Race Equity Lens: A Toolkit for Juvenile and Family Court Judges</a> on the NCJFCJ website.

Written by the Capacity Building Center for States Addressing racial and ethnic disparities at child welfare agencies is vital because it supports equitable access to culturally responsive services and

A Deeper Dive Into Diversity and Racial Equity in Child Welfare

Written by the Capacity Building Center for States
Addressing racial and ethnic disparities at child welfare agencies is vital because it supports equitable access to culturally responsive services and can improve experiences and outcomes for all children, young adults, and families. Doing so requires agencies to intentionally center equity while planning for change, implementing new programs and practices, and carrying out all ongoing agency work (Capacity Building Center for States, 2021).
The information below can help agencies hold ongoing discussions about the importance of diversity and racial equity and begin to integrate diversity and racial equity into every aspect of child welfare policy and practice. Collaborating with community partners, implementing equitable and diverse family recruitment efforts, and focusing on inclusive language can move child welfare agencies toward improving racial equity and diversity in their jurisdictions.
<h2>Work With Community Partners to Uplift the Voices of Diverse Groups</h2>
It is crucial for child welfare agencies to work with community partners to uplift diverse voices and bring awareness of rights for all groups. Youth, young adults, and families who are Black, Indigenous, or other people of color; LGBTQIA2S&#43; (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, Two-Spirit, or other gender or sexual identity); experiencing homelessness; pregnant or parenting; or who identify with another group or background deserve to have a sense of belonging, normalcy, and chances to advocate for themselves. By working with community partners to provide more accessible resources, child welfare agencies will be able to better support communities, work to eliminate disparities in service delivery, and prevent unnecessary entry into the child welfare system. This type of collaboration can lead to additional benefits such as the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Integrated services offering a more cohesive approach that meets the individualized needs of diverse families</li><li>Increased knowledge of and access to available services and resources for diverse children and families</li></ul>
Child welfare agencies can use the following strategies when working with community partners to integrate diversity and racial equity:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Increase a shared understanding of the needs of families who are overrepresented in child welfare, promoting improved communication and information sharing.</li><li>Develop training programs and initiatives focused on enhancing knowledge and educating staff about diversity and racial equity.</li><li>Practice inclusive decision-making that incorporates the voices and perspectives of young people and families in decision-making processes and infuse diversity and racial equity into all aspects of agency work.</li></ul>
<h2>Recruit Diverse Foster Families</h2>
Currently in child welfare, African American and Indigenous children are overrepresented in foster care and spend more time in care than White children (James Bell Associates, 2019). Because of this problem, child welfare agencies need to think about the barriers that are preventing permanent placements and stability for children and youth from overrepresented populations.
One of these barriers is the recruitment of diverse foster parents and families, which is vital for providing children, youth, and young adults with stable, safe, and loving homes with families that share a similar cultural and racial background. Child welfare agencies can implement the following strategies to improve recruitment and retention efforts for diverse foster families:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Use positive messaging to recruit parents and counter negative perceptions about child welfare and being foster parents (Lisembee, 2022).</li><li>Tailor messaging and marketing materials to the diverse communities and cultures the agency serves (Lisembee, 2022). </li><li>Collaborate with community partners to develop strong recruitment and retention efforts and improve permanency outcomes for diverse children, youth, and families (Child Welfare Information Gateway, n.d.).</li></ul>
<h2>Focus on Inclusive Language</h2>
Inclusive language means using language that doesn’t exclude anyone and makes everyone feel that they are welcome and valued. While working with diverse families and young people, it is critical for child welfare agencies to use language appropriately and avoid biases. Agency staff should avoid biased language, which includes “words or phrases that demean or marginalize people based on their gender, race, age, sexual orientation, class, disability, or any other aspect of their identity. Biased language may contain hidden messages based on outdated social norms and/or historical oppression, resulting in reinforced unconscious biases and stereotypes and furthered prejudice” (Carey and Hewitt, 2022, pp. 2–3).
One key benefit of using inclusive language is the development of a common understanding about terminology, which can facilitate effective communication and intentional engagement with diverse families and young adults, agency staff, community members, and other partners.
It is important for child welfare agencies to recognize that individuals and groups may have different perspectives on terms and preferences for how to refer to their own racial and ethnic backgrounds and identities. Some strategies and best practices that child welfare agencies can use to make language more inclusive include the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Use people-first language to speak in a way that centers the person rather than their condition, diagnosis, or ability level (e.g., “person with disabilities” instead of “disabled person”).</li><li>Use gender-neutral language (e.g., “firefighter” instead of “fireman”).</li><li>Be inclusive in your speech when talking with diverse children, young people, and families.</li><li>Keep learning about new words and ways to talk that include everyone.</li></ul>
Take time to reflect on how your agency strives to ensure diversity and racial equity are integrated into all aspects of child welfare. By working with community partners, recruiting diverse foster families, and focusing on using inclusive language, agencies can advance racial equity and diversity to better serve all children, youth, young adults, and families.
 
<h2>References</h2>
Capacity Building Center for States. (2017). Building and sustaining collaborative community relationships. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children&#39;s Bureau. <a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/building-sustaining-collaborative-relationships" rel="nofollow">https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/building-sustaining-collaborative-relationships</a>
Capacity Building Center for States. (2021). Focusing on race equity throughout change and implementation. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children&#39;s Bureau. <a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/change-implementation-focusing-on-race-equity" rel="nofollow">https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/change-implementation-focusing-on-race-equity</a>
Capacity Building Center for States. (2023). Change and implementation in practice: Considerations for advancing racial equity through problem exploration. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children&#39;s Bureau. <a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/racial-equity-through-problem-exploration" rel="nofollow">https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/racial-equity-through-problem-exploration</a>
Carey, M. L., &amp; Hewitt, A. A. (2022, April). Guide to inclusive language: Race and ethnicity. District of Columbia Office of Human Rights; District of Columbia Mayor’s Office of Racial Equity. <a href="https://ohr.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ohr/page_content/attachments/OHR_ILG_RaceEthnicity_FINAL%20%281%29.pdf" rel="nofollow">https://ohr.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ohr/page_content/attachments/OHR_ILG_RaceEthnicity_FINAL%20%281%29.pdf</a>
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (n.d.). Recruiting and retaining families for children and youth in foster care. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children&#39;s Bureau. <a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/casework-practice/recruiting-and-retaining-families-children-and-youth-foster-care/" rel="nofollow">https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/casework-practice/recruiting-and-retaining-families-children-and-youth-foster-care/</a>
James Bell Associates. (2019). Diligent recruitment of families for children in the foster care system: Challenges and recommendations for policy and practice. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children&#39;s Bureau. <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/diligentrecruitmentreport.pdf" rel="nofollow">https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/diligentrecruitmentreport.pdf</a>
Lisembee, M. (n.d.). Intentionality: It’s what foster parent recruitment and retention needs. Families Rising. <a href="https://nacac.org/resource/intentionality-its-what-foster-parent-recruitment-and-retention-needs/" rel="nofollow">https://nacac.org/resource/intentionality-its-what-foster-parent-recruitment-and-retention-needs/</a>

A new guide from the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network and USAging provides a variety of resources for service providers and the kinship and grandfamilies they support. The Kinship/Grandfamily Provider

Resource Guide Supports Kin and Grandfamilies

A new guide from the Grandfamilies &amp; Kinship Support Network and USAging provides a variety of resources for service providers and the kinship and grandfamilies they support. The <a href="https://supportcaregiving.org/kinship-grandfamily-provider-resource-guide/" rel="nofollow">Kinship/Grandfamily Provider Resource Guide</a> was created for use by professionals; however, kin and grandparent caregivers will also find much of its information helpful. Resources are provided for each of the following topical areas:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Increasing Public Awareness About Kinship/Grandfamilies</li><li>Engaging and Partnering With Kinship/Grandfamilies</li><li>Finding and/or Providing Supportive Services for Kinship/Grandfamilies</li><li>Supporting Kinship/Grandfamily Financial and Food Security</li><li>Building Evidence to Support Kinship/Grandfamilies</li></ul>
The guide was developed for <a href="https://supportcaregiving.org/" rel="nofollow">SupportCaregiving.org</a>, a website created to support the dissemination and implementation of the <a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f&#61;001fcPRNngU-MRE9gGIQxmwV4hY5Il0WF46IekJxTRMlSEHv7dPLX882LADLeMakSWyF-y7qUS4fHOkGmFkwfFjmYOky6T0Yqi0KGDEpnmpPNH2hz430L5yezFM1LZfHn3oVmfImoO45HNcYZ9y7toCku6CYTUdXhKz&amp;c&#61;3EAXwGZcju2GhnjQxL13KV7FEQlJIjIPs14LUh1bNsiQlu5yC_O8qg&#61;&#61;&amp;ch&#61;8jjNvDvlbTeKjc958jLixO3TDUkj5pTszYLwQoGNxbUGZX4QPlIsiQ&#61;&#61;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers</a>. Access the <a href="https://supportcaregiving.org/kinship-grandfamily-provider-resource-guide/" rel="nofollow">guide</a> to learn more.

Embrace Race, a community of parents, professionals, and other caring adults working together to address the racial challenges faced by today's youth, recently introduced its Color-Brave Caregiver Framework,

Embrace Race, a community of parents, professionals, and other caring adults working together to address the racial challenges faced by today&#39;s youth, recently introduced its <a href="https://www.embracerace.org/caregiver-framework" rel="nofollow">Color-Brave Caregiver Framework</a>, a tool that provides caregivers with guidance essential to raising children who are thoughtful, informed, and brave about race.
The framework is built upon <a href="https://www.embracerace.org/caregiver-framework/guides" rel="nofollow">four goals</a> that can help caregivers raise children who are:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li>Resilient and joyful in their own skin</li><li>Inclusive and empathetic toward others</li><li>Critical thinkers about race and inequity</li><li>Racial justice advocates</li></ul>
Each goal includes three key practices in which caregivers and children can collaboratively engage, and each practice has a dedicated action guide (12 total) with tips, information, and links to supplemental resources intended to promote thoughtful and brave conversations.
A color-brave caregiver works as a committed guide, compassionate self-examiner, brave learner, and antiracist advocate who is committed to racial equity. To learn more about the Color-Brave Caregiver Framework, visit the<a href="https://www.embracerace.org/caregiver-framework" rel="nofollow"> EmbraceRace</a> website.  
Related item: CBX featured the EmbraceRace guide Addressing Structural Racism With Children in the <a href="https://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/article/2023/october/guide-for-addressing-structural-racism-with-children/c228e3081b417510145dedf7624bcb49" rel="nofollow">October 2023 issue</a> and the guide 16 Ways to Help Children Become Thoughtful, Informed, and BRAVE About Race in the <a href="https://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/article/2022/july-august/parent-guide-offers-tips-for-talking-with-children-about-race/2ee8ba211b241550bca18512f54bcbce" rel="nofollow">July/August 2022 issue</a>.

Upcoming conferences and events on child welfare and adoption include the following: March Trauma-Informed Parenting for Adoptive Parents (Part1) National Council for Adoption and Dave Thomas Foundation

Upcoming conferences and events on child welfare and adoption include the following:
March
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://adoptioncouncil.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zQAMwPy0ST6k9B5aM3qJ_A#/registration" rel="nofollow">Trauma-Informed Parenting for Adoptive Parents (Part1)</a> National Council for Adoption and Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Virtual, March 5 </li><li><a href="https://maine.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e5_MiEzQRX2ZTKSYpaCudw?utm_source&#61;Center&#43;for&#43;Tribes&#43;Outreach#/registration" rel="nofollow">&#34;Contracting With Data System Vendors,&#34;</a> Part 3 of the Tribal Child Welfare Data System Procurement Webinar Series The Children&#39;s Bureau Division of State Systems and the Capacity Building Center for Tribes Virtual, March 13 </li><li><a href="https://www.ncjfcj.org/events/2024-national-conference-on-juvenile-justice" rel="nofollow">2024 National Conference on Juvenile Justice</a> National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Cleveland, OH, March 17–20 </li><li><a href="https://www.ffta.org/page/MarchLeadership" rel="nofollow">FFTA Leadership Summit</a> Family Focus Treatment Association (FFTA) Denver, CO, March 21</li></ul>
April
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://adoptioncouncil.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qF0YksAcS3OFuMAS2Y79wA#/registration" rel="nofollow">Trauma-Informed Parenting for Adoptive Parents (Part 2)</a> National Council for Adoption and Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Virtual, April 2 </li><li><a href="https://www.nicwa.org/conference/" rel="nofollow">42nd Annual Protecting Our Children Conference</a> National Indian Child Welfare Association Seattle, WA, and Virtual, April 7–10 </li><li><a href="https://web.cvent.com/event/4117ce2f-b72b-41fe-aa2e-3d5bcd072429/summary" rel="nofollow">ABA National Conference on Access to Justice</a> American Bar Association (ABA) Center on Children and the Law McLean, VA, April 9–10</li></ul>
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://web.cvent.com/event/4117ce2f-b72b-41fe-aa2e-3d5bcd072429/summary" rel="nofollow">ABA Parent Representation Conference</a> ABA Center on Children and the Law McLean, VA, April 11–12</li></ul>
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://amchp.org/amchp-conference/" rel="nofollow">AMCHP 2024 Annual Conference</a> Association of Maternal &amp; Child Health Programs (AMCHP) Oakland, CA, April 13–16</li></ul>
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://www.cwla.org/cwla2024/" rel="nofollow">CWLA 2024 National Conference</a> Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) Washington, DC, April 17–19</li></ul>
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://dcyfcjc.com/" rel="nofollow">29th Children’s Justice Conference</a> Washington State’s Children’s Justice Task Force Spokane, WA, April 22–23</li></ul>
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://www.adoptnaa.org/page/NationalConference" rel="nofollow">NAA 2024 National Conference</a> National Adoption Association (NAA) Los Angeles, CA, April 25–26</li></ul>
May
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/human-services-workforce-development-evaluation-symposium-registration-756317464897?aff&#61;oddtdtcreator" rel="nofollow">2024 Human Services Workforce Development Evaluation Symposium</a> UCLA Agile Visual Analytics Lab Los Angeles, CA, May 1–3 </li><li><a href="https://www.ffta.org/page/PPI2024" rel="nofollow">FFTA 20th Annual Public Policy Institute</a> FFTA Washington, DC, May 6–7 </li><li><a href="https://vermontcwtp.org/2024-national-title-iv-e-roundtable/" rel="nofollow">2024 National Title IV-E Roundtable</a> Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership Burlington, VT, May 21–23</li></ul>
June
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://www.aphsanationalsummit.com/" rel="nofollow">APHSA National Human Services Summit 2024</a> American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) Arlington, VA, June 9–12 </li><li><a href="https://www.apsac.org/2024-colloquium-registration" rel="nofollow">31st APSAC Colloquium</a> The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) New Orleans, LA, June 9–13 </li><li><a href="https://adoptioncouncil.org/ncfa-conference/" rel="nofollow">National Adoption Conference</a> National Council for Adoption Fort Worth, TX, June 26–28</li></ul>

The intersection between policy, systemic inequalities, racial disparities, and children’s health and development is the topic of a recent webinar hosted by the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard

Webinar Explores Racism's Impact on Child Development

The intersection between policy, systemic inequalities, racial disparities, and children’s health and development is the topic of a recent webinar hosted by the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University.
In this 1-hour recorded webinar, Dr. Stephanie Curenton, associate professor in the Educational Leadership &amp; Policy Studies Department at Boston University Wheelock College of Education &amp; Human Development and the director of the Center on the Ecology of Early Development, leads a conversation with a diverse panel of experts that explores how racism gets “under the skin” to impact children’s development and contributes to inequity in the places where children live and grow.
Dr. Curenton and the following panelists share their latest research and strategize ways to dismantle systemic barriers and promote healthy child development:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Dr. Nathaniel Hartnett, director of the Neurobiology of Affective and Traumatic Experiences Laboratory at McLean Hospital and assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School</li><li>Dr. Mavis Sanders, senior research scholar of Black children and families at Child Trends</li><li>Dr. Natalie Slopen, assistant professor of social and behavioral sciences at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health</li></ul>
The webinar is part of the Place Matters Webinar Series, which expands upon the Center’s work to understand how influences from our environments play a role in shaping early childhood development beginning before birth. It highlights scientific and community expertise and offers strategies to work towards fairness of place and create conditions that encourage children to thrive.
Access the webinar <a href="https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/understanding-racisms-impact-on-child-development/" rel="nofollow">“Understanding Racism’s Impact on Child Development: Working Toward Fairness of Place in the United States”</a> to learn more.
Related item: We highlight the Harvard paper Place Matters: The Environment We Create Shapes the Foundations of Healthy Development in the Child Welfare Research section of this issue of CBX.

A new learning community, hosted by the National SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression) Center and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, focuses on the

New Learning Community on Safe and Effective LGBTQ+ Data Collection

A new learning community, hosted by the National SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression) Center and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, focuses on the safe and effective collection of sexual orientation and gender identity data. The Learning Community on Safe and Effective LGBTQ&#43; (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, or Other Gender or Sexual Identity) Data Collection was created for providers and state-level agencies working to improve their data collection methods, and it presents guidance from experts on serving LGBTQ&#43; populations.
Eleven <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list&#61;PLmnqbpAK_1s8mermyb-WVMrZaV2ukV8TO" rel="nofollow">recorded webinars</a> are available and cover topics such as the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li>Creating a client experience that communicates safety and respect</li><li>Discussing SOGIE data with children, youth, and families</li><li>Proper SOGIE data documentation</li><li>Safeguarding SOGIE data in anti-LGBTQ&#43; climates</li><li>Coaching providers on discussing SOGIE in affirming and appropriate ways</li></ul>
For more information on each presentation, view the companion <a href="https://sogiecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023_SOGIE_DataCollectionResources_.pdf" rel="nofollow">resource guide</a>. Information on the learning community is also available on the <a href="https://sogiecenter.org/offerings/data-collection/" rel="nofollow">SOGIE Center website</a>.

March 2024Vol. 25, No. 2Toolkit Provides Equity Improvement Strategies for Courts and Justice Systems