August 2007Vol. 8, No. 7Children's Bureau QIC Series
Representatives from six child welfare Quality Improvement Centers (QICs) funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Children's Bureau met in June to share updates on their work and evaluations. The four original QICs were first funded in 2001 as regional centers to develop evidence-based knowledge about effective practices in child protective services and adoption. Their work has covered a range of areas, including culturally appropriate services, strengthening families with substance abuse issues, adoption from foster care, and improving clinical supervision. These organizations include:
- Frontline Connections QIC, operated by the Northwest Institute for Children and Families, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Rocky Mountain QIC, operated by the American Humane Association, Englewood, CO
- QIC on Adoption, operated by United Methodist Family Services, Richmond, VA
- Southern Regional QIC, operated by the University of Kentucky College of Social Work, Training Resource Center, Lexington, KY
They were joined by two more recently funded national QICs:
- QIC on the Privatization of Child Welfare Services, operated by the University of Kentucky College of Social Work, Training Resource Center, Lexington, KY
- QIC on Nonresident Fathers and the Child Welfare System, operated by the American Humane Association and its partners, the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law and the National Fatherhood Initiative
As the original QICs come to the end of their funding period, they are sharing evaluations and lessons learned in the field from their subgrantees. Some of these findings were shared at the June meeting, and many can be found on their websites.
Over the next few months, Children's Bureau Express will run a series of articles focusing on individual QICs, their subgrantees, and their findings to date. Look for these articles to learn more about the important contributions these organizations are making to child welfare practice.
For more information on the Children's Bureau QICs, contact Melissa Lim Brodowski, Federal Project Officer in the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect: