A new resource from the Children's Bureau provides a framework for using the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs) to advance racial equity. Round 4 of the CFSRs will focus on using data and evidence

Advancing Equity and Inclusion Through the Child and Family Services Reviews

A new resource from the Children&#39;s Bureau provides a framework for using the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs) to advance racial equity. Round 4 of the CFSRs will focus on using data and evidence to identify disparities in services and outcomes, understanding the child welfare system&#39;s role in those disparities, and using those data to develop systemic improvements. <a title="Advancing Equity and Inclusion Through the Child Family Services Reviews" href="https://www.cfsrportal.acf.hhs.gov/announcements/new-resource-advancing-equity-and-inclusion-through-cfsrs" rel="nofollow">Advancing Equity and Inclusion Through the Child Family Services Reviews</a> recommends applying an equity lens to CFSRs to accurately assess, identify, and address systemwide improvements.
This publication emphasizes the importance of engaging individuals from diverse backgrounds and with lived experience in the design and operation of the child welfare system. It also calls out the need for awareness of potential evidence of disparities in programs and policies that can contribute to outcome inequities for historically underserved and marginalized populations.
Because states are at different stages of applying equity and inclusion frameworks and action plans, this publication provides questions centered on equity and inclusion that states can ask during different phases of the CFSR. These questions focus on several areas, including the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li>Who is and is not at the discussion table</li><li>Who is selecting individuals and the process for selection</li><li>How collected data and findings affect populations</li><li>Selecting sites that are challenged by overrepresentation and outcome disparities</li><li>How findings are presented and shared</li><li>Including those most affected by a problem in developing program improvement plans</li></ul>
Access <a href="https://www.cfsrportal.acf.hhs.gov/announcements/new-resource-advancing-equity-and-inclusion-through-cfsrs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Advancing Equity and Inclusion Through the Child Family Services Reviews</a> for more detail on the framework.

September 2023

Cowritten by Aysha E. Schomburg, Associate Commissioner, Children's Bureau, and Maria Harker, senior advisor for kinship care, Children's Bureau Think for a moment about the people who have loved you and

We Thank You, A Message From the Associate Commissioner

Cowritten by Aysha E. Schomburg, Associate Commissioner, Children&#39;s Bureau, and Maria Harker, senior advisor for kinship care, Children&#39;s Bureau
Think for a moment about the people who have loved you and cared for you throughout your life—those who have met your physical needs, nurtured your emotional well-being, and comforted you and guided you when you needed it most—whether they are family, friends, neighbors, professors, coaches, partners, or other community members. We all need support. Children especially need care to develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally. They also need unconditional encouragement from family throughout their lives.
Grandparents, uncles, aunts, and siblings, as well as close family friends, have long stepped up to care for children when parents are temporarily unable to do so. It is estimated that 2.7 million children in the United States live with kin caregivers without a parent living in the household. Extensive research shows that kin placements have a higher likelihood of long-term stability. When placed with kin, children are more likely to preserve what belongs to them: their connections to family, community, and culture.
Kin caregivers often start caring for children on a moment’s notice. They receive a call, maybe in the middle of the night, asking them to step up. Life suddenly changes. Daily routines, life projects, and family dynamics need to be adapted to take care of that child. Kin caregivers may also find themselves relying on their own financial resources and support network as they navigate new challenges that can range from managing homework assignments to helping the child’s parents with efforts to reunify. Kinship families are more likely to be economically disadvantaged, single-headed, less educated, older, and underemployed when compared with families in which at least one parent is present.
A “kin-first” approach means prioritizing safe, loving, respectful, and culturally appropriate placements for children with relatives or close family friends while offering comprehensive support to help these families thrive. This approach includes proactively asking parents and youth about their relatives and network, recognizing the various roles that kin can play within the child’s life as main caregivers or as an extended network, and removing unnecessary barriers to access equitable supports. The Administration for Children and Families’ Information Memorandum titled <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/policy-guidance/im2302#:~:text&#61;This%20Information%20Memorandum%20%28IM%29%20informs,to%20require%20equal%20foster%20care" rel="nofollow">&#34;Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Separate Relative Foster Family Home Licensing Standards&#34;</a> would make it easier for kin to help children in their family by enabling states to adopt separate licensing standards for all kinship foster family homes and requiring jurisdictions to provide kin families with financial assistance that is equitable to nonrelative resource families.
Children placed with kin are more likely to report that they always feel loved. Kin play a significant role in maintaining family bonds, preserving cultural identity, and promoting familial healing, which is what the child welfare system should prioritize when, in the worst-case scenario, a family is separated.
To those kin caregivers who have stepped up to hold the world of a child, temporarily or permanently: We want you to know that we see you. We acknowledge you. We thank you.

In advance of round 4 of the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs), the Children's Bureau developed a brief based on a series of focus groups in which young people with lived child welfare experience

Engaging Young People With Lived Experience in the Child and Family Services Reviews

In advance of round 4 of the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs), the Children&#39;s Bureau developed <a title="a brief" href="https://www.cfsrportal.acf.hhs.gov/resources/round-4-resources/cfsr-round-4-process/engaging-young-people-lived-experience-in-cfsrs" rel="nofollow">a brief</a> based on a series of focus groups in which young people with lived child welfare experience were asked about recruiting, engaging, supporting, and retaining young people in all aspects of the CFSRs. Results from the focus groups revealed the following key considerations for states when engaging youth:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Intentionality, authenticity, and equal partnership</li><li>Early and ongoing engagement opportunities</li><li>Diversity, equity, and inclusion</li></ul>
The brief outlines young people&#39;s potential roles when participating in the statewide assessment and onsite reviews. The voices of young people are critical to improving the child welfare system, so involving them in the CFSRs offers a collaborative way to initiate positive change. The brief suggests several opportunities for state CSFR teams to partner with young people with lived experience.
The brief also provides recommendations for states working toward engaging youth, such as the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Create state-level roles for young people</li><li>Conduct ongoing outreach and recruitment</li><li>Allow young people to choose their roles</li><li>Compensate young people appropriately</li><li>Prepare, support, and train young people</li><li>Provide multiple ways for young people to give input on the CFSRs</li><li>Communicate with young people continuously</li><li>Create training roles for young people to help prepare state CFSR teams</li></ul>
Engagement of young people with lived experience in the CFSRs should occur through all phases of the assessment and include youth of all ages, when developmentally appropriate; those currently in care; and those no longer in care.
Read <a href="https://www.cfsrportal.acf.hhs.gov/resources/round-4-resources/cfsr-round-4-process/engaging-young-people-lived-experience-in-cfsrs" rel="nofollow">Engaging Young People With Lived Experience in the CFSRs: Key Considerations, Roles, and Recommendations</a> for more details.

Written by Linda Mitchell, Team Leader (retired), Child and Family Services Review Unit, Children's Bureau and Jennifer Haight, Director, Division of Performance Measurement and Improvement Anyone who

The Child and Family Services Review: Catalyst for Change

Written by Linda Mitchell, Team Leader (retired), Child and Family Services Review Unit, Children&#39;s Bureau and Jennifer Haight, Director, Division of Performance Measurement and Improvement
Anyone who has worked at any level of child welfare for any length of time will tell you it is incredibly difficult work. Whether in a public or private agency, the demands of keeping children safe, strengthening families, and navigating multiple complex systems are often frustrating and easily dispiriting. The core of everyday work for caseworkers, supervisors, administrators, and judges is the ability to accurately assess the challenges families encounter and to provide necessary and adequate services to create enduring change for those in our communities who are the most vulnerable and disenfranchised.
Congress wanted an improved oversight process when it passed Public Law 103-432 in 1994. In the 23 years since the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) process was created, the federal government has articulated a clear role for the Children’s Bureau (CB) in assisting states to look deeply into their practice and develop plans and opportunities for meeting federal child welfare requirements and improving critical outcomes for children and families in need. Specifically, the CFSR process has enabled states to develop and improve continuous quality improvement frameworks, data collection standards, and hone their use of data. With these improved capacities, states are able to understand performance, observe where there is notable variation, offer feedback, strengthen communication mechanisms with community partners, build staff training models, and perhaps most importantly, identify leadership strategies to manage the sometimes-overwhelming complexities of the child welfare landscape.
The 23 years of the CFSR process has taught us the importance of having a common language to discuss where we have succeeded and where we need to do more creative thinking and exercise more collective will to make needed changes. Engaging in a process of mutual respect for each other’s best intentions can open pathways for change and innovation. Using the CFSR process as a diagnostic and planning tool has given state child welfare agencies a durable foundation on which to build and improve. Interpretations of the evidence and opinions on what to do can often differ, but at the end of the day most will agree that a process that provides a format for improvement is better than none at all.
Through the CFSRs, we have had the opportunity to see first-hand the successes of agencies as they promote innovative practices and implement positive change, often with few resources or uncertain supports. We’ve also seen dedicated frontline staff working to help parents care for their children, while challenged with making difficult decisions that balance the safety of children and with the prospect of removal from home. The CFSRs are part of a process that opens records, engages with case participants, and interviews community partners to identify what’s working—and what is not working—in meeting federal requirements and getting positive outcomes for children and families. During those reviews, we’ve also seen the gaps and the poor practices that need to be addressed in order to achieve better results.
We’re often asked why, after 23 years of CFSRs, we aren’t seeing better results; the answer is complex. At the end of Round 1 CFSR, CB implemented Program Improvement Plans (PIP) and established national data standards. We undertook qualitative interviews with states that had achieved the most improvement in outcomes to identify PIP strategies employed, as well as contextual factors in PIP development and implementation. This was not a rigorous research project, but it gave the child welfare field an understanding of critical factors, such as: engaging local offices, courts, tribes, and youth in change; the importance of leadership and agency culture; the need to consider budgets and allocation of resources; and intentionally managing and sustaining change. There are also other common and current challenges impacting improvements, including workforce challenges; constant leadership changes; and shortage of appropriate, available, and culturally sensitive mental/behavioral health treatment and other services that address the increasingly complex and variable needs of children and families coming to the attention of child welfare. Improvement can sometimes seem like a slippery slope. When positive change is made, sustaining it can be derailed by economics, politics, leadership change, and other factors.
There is much more to learn and always improvements to be made. CB can offer guidance and technical assistance to states, but the responsibility to address the findings of the CFSR and implement practice and systems change rests with each state. And the work requires leadership that engages broadly with state and community partners, representative community members, legislatures, and policymakers to provide the necessary supports to improve the lives of families. We are often humbled by the dedication of states and their staff as they diligently and relentlessly work with families and implement innovative practices and changes to improve their outcomes. As part of their PIPs, states have embraced the need to better engage parents in case planning and services, improve outreach and support to relatives, ensure comprehensive training for staff, and include the voice of youth with lived experience. 
In the end, we’re only as strong as our collective efforts to listen to and learn from the children, youth, and families being served by child welfare. The CFSR continues to be a mechanism that allows us to do just that. But we must have the courage of our conviction to act on what we learn so that we can make positive changes to the system. If we do not, then we are not only failing those from whom we learned, but also, we risk abandoning the improvement principles we say we value.

A factsheet from the Children's Bureau written especially for legal and judicial professionals provides an overview of the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs), helps these professionals better understand

The Courts and the Child and Family Services Reviews

A <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/cfsr-fact-sheet-legal-judicial" rel="nofollow">factsheet from the Children&#39;s Bureau</a> written especially for legal and judicial professionals provides an overview of the Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs), helps these professionals better understand the important role they play in the CFSR process, and includes suggestions on how they can be active and engaged participants.
Part of what the CFSRs assess is the court&#39;s role in child welfare, presenting an opportunity to examine legal and judicial involvement and make systemic improvements. The partnership between child welfare and legal professionals is crucial to addressing the needs of children who have been maltreated and helping them and their families attain positive outcomes.
The factsheet examines the seven outcomes assessed and the seven systemic factors reviewed in the CFSRs. It walks judicial professionals through the CFSR process, focusing on legal and judicial representatives&#39; roles during the statewide assessment, onsite review, and Program Improvement Plan development. Additional information and resources on the relationship between the legal community, child welfare system, and CFSRs are also provided.
To learn more, read <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/cfsr-fact-sheet-legal-judicial" rel="nofollow">Round 4 Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs): Fact Sheet for Legal and Judicial Communities</a>.

On Tuesday, September 12, the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI) and the Children’s Bureau will cohost a 1-hour virtual Child Welfare Worker Recognition Event to celebrate the professionals

Reminder: September Child Welfare Workforce Events

On Tuesday, September 12, the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI) and the Children’s Bureau will cohost a 1-hour virtual Child Welfare Worker Recognition Event to celebrate the professionals who work to ensure the well-being of families involved with the child welfare system. This event is part of Child Welfare Worker Appreciation Week, September 11 to September 15, 2023. Visit the <a title="NCWWI website" href="https://ncwwi.org/workforce-development-month/" rel="nofollow">NCWWI website</a> for this year’s recognition event kit, including templates, graphics, and registration information.
On Thursday, September 21, the Children’s Bureau’s Capacity Building Center for States will host the 2023 Child Welfare Virtual Expo (CWVE). The theme of this year’s CWVE is &#34;Recruit, Retain, and Support: Strategies for Strengthening the Child Welfare Workforce.&#34; The 1-day virtual event brings together professionals from federal, state, tribal, and local organizations across the country and experts with lived experience, young people, families, and other partners to discuss how child welfare agencies are addressing today’s child welfare workforce challenges and the innovations they are implementing to recruit, retain, and support a diverse child welfare workforce and create an equitable workplace. For more information, visit the <a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/virtualexpo" rel="nofollow">CWVE 2023 website</a>. You can also <a href="https://onlinexperiences.com/scripts/Server.nxp?LASCmd&#61;AI:4;F:QS!10100&amp;ShowUUID&#61;A0B78643-EDD7-42E4-AA95-46FE2CE928E4&amp;Referrer&#61;https%3A%2F%2Fcapacity.childwelfare.gov%2F" rel="nofollow">register here</a>.

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. Recent additions

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. 
Recent additions or updates to the site include the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/monitoring/child-family-services-reviews/round4" rel="nofollow">Round 4 of the CFSRs</a> [Webpage update]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/cfsr-volume-17-issue-3" rel="nofollow">Child and Family Services Reviews Update, Volume 17, Issue 3, June 2023</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/law-regulation/compilation-related-sections-security-act" rel="nofollow">Compilation of Titles IV-B, IV-E and Related Sections of the Social Security Act</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/report/father-engagement-child-welfare-lessons-fatherhood-programs?utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_source&#61;govdelivery" rel="nofollow">Father Engagement in Child Welfare: Lessons for Fatherhood Programs</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/training-technical-assistance/ccwis-ta-monitoring-reviews" rel="nofollow">“Lessons Learned: CCWIS Technical Assistance Monitoring Reviews Webinar”</a></li><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/virtualexpo" rel="nofollow">Registration</a> is open for the Child Welfare Virtual Expo on Thursday, September 21, 2023</li><li><a href="https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?c&#61;&amp;ch&#61;&amp;oeidk&#61;a07ejubezg7b47cdfab&amp;oseq&#61;&amp;utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_source&#61;ncwwiworkdevevent071323" rel="nofollow">Registration</a> is open for the Child Welfare Worker Recognition event on Tuesday, September 12, 2023</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/policy-guidance/title-iv-e-foster-care-eligibility-reviews-2024-schedule" rel="nofollow">Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Reviews 2024 Schedule</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/report/using-rapid-cycle-learning-build-momentum-change-two-generation-service-delivery?utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_source&#61;govdelivery" rel="nofollow">Using Rapid Cycle Learning to Build Momentum for Change in Two-Generation Service Delivery</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/policy-guidance/national-minority-mental-health-awareness-month-2023" rel="nofollow">ACF-DCL-23-09: Advancing Mental Health Supports for Youth of Color Experiencing Homelessness and Other Youth Populations Critically in Need of Services and Supports</a> [Dear Colleague Letter]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/policy-guidance/thank-you" rel="nofollow">ACF-DCL-23-10: Thank you to Tribal Program Leadership and Grantees</a> [Dear Colleague Letter]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/policy-guidance/human-services-workforce-recruitment-and-retention-implications" rel="nofollow">ACF-DCL-23-11: Human Services Workforce Recruitment and Retention Implications</a> [Dear Colleague Letter]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/outreach-material/children-and-youth-advancements-under-assistant-secretary-contreras-leadership?utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_source&#61;govdelivery" rel="nofollow">Children and Youth Advancements Under Assistant Secretary Contreras’ Leadership</a> [Dear Colleague Letter]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/policy-guidance/reminders-social-security-representative-payee-program?utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_source&#61;dcl081723" rel="nofollow">Reminders to State and Tribal Title IV-E agencies about the Social Security Representative Payee Program and the Title IVE Federal Foster Care Program</a> [Dear Colleague Letter]</li><li><a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USACFCWIG/2023/08/03/file_attachments/2574408/DearColleagueLtr_TANF-CW-.pdf" rel="nofollow">Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Learning Community Focused on TANF and Child Welfare Collaboration</a> [Dear Colleague Letter]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/policy-guidance/childrens-bureau-letter-about-equity-disaster-plans?utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_source&#61;dcl081523" rel="nofollow">Using Your Disaster Plan to Advance Equity in Disaster Response</a> [Dear Colleague Letter]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/blog/2023/08/economic-mobility-horizon-child-welfare-social-workers-puerto-rico" rel="nofollow">“Economic Mobility is on the Horizon for Child Welfare Social Workers in Puerto Rico”</a> [The Family Room blog]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/blog/2023/08/media/improving-access-acf-programs-and-services?utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_source&#61;govdelivery" rel="nofollow">“Improving Access to ACF Programs and Services”</a> [The Family Room blog]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/blog/2023/08/media/proud-acfs-actions-lgbtqi-families-and-youth" rel="nofollow">“Proud of ACF’s Actions for LGBTQI&#43; Families and Youth”</a> [The Family Room 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.

On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, the Capacity Building Center for States will host the virtual event “Keeping Youth at the Center of Kinship Care Practice: Prioritizing Relationships, Community, and Culture,”

Webinar Prioritizes Youth Voice in Kinship Care Practice

On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, the Capacity Building Center for States will host the virtual event <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lnpvb21nb3YuY29tL21lZXRpbmcvcmVnaXN0ZXIvdkpJdGNPaWdwandwRzhYMzdWZzZmeFE3RDZIQkJYVEZUa1k_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPSZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fbmFtZT0mdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1wZ2xlYWRtZXNzYWdlIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDgyMy44MTUzODM2MSJ9.Ab47i__jDQqEA1cXTqaGIN0-sUagkd1R7N8SomxVVYU/s/2940650097/br/224677119968-l" rel="nofollow">“Keeping Youth at the Center of Kinship Care Practice: Prioritizing Relationships, Community, and Culture,” </a>which was developed to help raise awareness of promising practices that support kinship caregivers and the youth in their care.
Participants will learn about meaningful youth engagement and engagement strategies, such as including young people in kinship and youth advisory boards, and more. Presentations from several state and tribal kinship navigator programs will provide valuable insight into the work currently underway to support kin families.
To join the event, register <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lnpvb21nb3YuY29tL21lZXRpbmcvcmVnaXN0ZXIvdkpJdGNPaWdwandwRzhYMzdWZzZmeFE3RDZIQkJYVEZUa1k_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPSZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fbmFtZT0mdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1wZ2xlYWRtZXNzYWdlIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDgyMy44MTUzODM2MSJ9.83VR0nwMtpStsIotR0XmyE6mxju5bw9X6DGHqrMarqY/s/2940650097/br/224677119968-l" rel="nofollow">here</a>.

Comprehensive Child Welfare Information Systems (CCWIS) regulations (45 CFR § 1355.52) support continuous improvement and effective program management. CCWIS are more than data repositories and should

Comprehensive Child Welfare Information Systems: Did You Know?

Comprehensive Child Welfare Information Systems (CCWIS) regulations (45 CFR § 1355.52) support continuous improvement and effective program management. CCWIS are more than data repositories and should be dynamic tools that evolve to support changing program needs. As such, agencies are encouraged to integrate CCWIS compliance strategies with the agency’s strategic initiatives, such as the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) Program Improvement Plan. Project and system strategies that support CCWIS, as well as strong practice and CFSR performance, may include the following:
<ul><li>Inclusive involvement of people with lived experience in project plans and implementation</li><li>Automation to support timely, accurate, and complete data</li><li>Innovative and easy-to-use contact and visit logs</li><li>Real-time placement data access to ease system adoption and improve data accuracy</li><li>Ease of correcting placement data and inserting placement episodes</li><li>Portals for older youth, families of origin, foster families, and providers to improve data accuracy and involvement in case planning</li><li>Actionable and accurate data reports to understand factors correlated with positive or poor program outcomes</li><li>Service or case planning and monitoring that effectively supports agency staff and families and efficiently provides the data needed for prevention and foster care reporting</li></ul>
Agencies are encouraged to view the CCWIS <a title="Technical Bulletin #7: Technical Assistance, Self-Assessment Tools, and Monitoring Reviews" href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/training-technical-assistance/ccwis-tb-7" rel="nofollow">Technical Bulletin #7: Technical Assistance, Self-Assessment Tools, and Monitoring Reviews</a>. The most critical parts of the tools are the program goals and first sections that ask agencies to provide evidence the system supports efficient and effective program management and service data. The CCWIS self-assessment tools align with program needs and many of the CFSR objectives. In particular, these tools may offer agencies opportunities to streamline improvement efforts to meet shared CFSR program and CCWIS compliance goals.
<ul><li>Appendix B: Case Management</li><li>Appendix C: Foster Care and Service Provider Management</li><li>Appendix G: Data Quality</li><li>Appendix J: Data Reporting</li><li>Appendix L: User Experience</li></ul>
 If you have questions about CCWIS compliance evidence, please contact your <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/training-technical-assistance/state-and-tribal-assignments" rel="nofollow">assigned analyst</a>.

The Children’s Bureau recently updated its Tribal Title IV-B Supports toolkit webpage to include the up-to-date guide Tribal IV-B Guide: Navigating Federal Child Welfare Services Funding From the Children’s

The Children’s Bureau recently updated its <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/programs/state-tribal-cfsp/tribal-toolkit" rel="nofollow">Tribal Title IV-B Supports toolkit webpage</a> to include the up-to-date guide <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/title-iv-b-guide" rel="nofollow">Tribal IV-B Guide: Navigating Federal Child Welfare Services Funding From the Children’s Bureau</a>.
The guide provides resources to help tribes develop their Child and Family Services Plans and Annual Progress and Services Reports, including federal guidance and information about documents that must be submitted. It also provides information and recommendations to tribes for accessing and maintaining title IV-B funding. It breaks down the programs funded by the Children&#39;s Bureau, including program descriptions, funding eligibility, and match requirements. Examples of how the different fund sources can be used and guidance on reporting, grants, and costs are also included.
The toolkit webpage features a series of instructional videos that supplement the guide and provide tribal program staff with additional information on portions of the guide that may need extra clarification, including a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v&#61;9Szx_WR88bc&amp;t&#61;0s" rel="nofollow">general introduction</a> to tribal title IV-B funding, how a tribe&#39;s population affects funding, the tribal IV-B funding life cycle, and collaboration and joint planning.
Additional federal guidance and other resources, including expenditure calculators, templates, and a reporting schedule, are also available.
Explore the <a title="Tribal Title IV-B Supports webpage" href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/programs/state-tribal-cfsp/tribal-toolkit" rel="nofollow">Tribal Title IV-B Supports webpage</a> for more information and to access the guide and supplemental resources. 
<div> </div>

Those charged with producing child welfare products for indigenous communities require specific guidance and insights to accurately reflect tribal culture and values. To help support these efforts, the

Guidance for Developing Culturally Responsive Tribal Child Welfare Products

Those charged with producing child welfare products for indigenous communities require specific guidance and insights to accurately reflect tribal culture and values. To help support these efforts, the Center for Native Child and Family Resilience and the Children’s Bureau developed the <a href="https://cncfr.jbsinternational.com/sites/default/files/uploads/CNCFR_Cultural_Guide.pdf" rel="nofollow">Cultural Guide for the Development of Tribal Child Welfare Products</a>. 
The guide outlines the ways in which organizations and product developers can learn about and work with tribal communities to better support and represent them. It provides strategies for retrieving and incorporating cultural knowledge by highlighting questions and considerations across the following 12 domains:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li>Respect for tribal sovereignty</li><li>Historical trauma and historical strengths</li><li>Respect for tribal values</li><li>Language</li><li>Leadership</li><li>Indigenous ways of knowing and cultural protocols</li><li>Relationship building</li><li>Cultural appropriation</li><li>Cultural applicability and cultural tailoring</li><li>Reciprocity</li><li>Spiritual protocol</li><li>Targeted community service provider review of tools</li></ul>
The document was developed as part of a series to formalize, implement, and evaluate tribal child welfare prevention and intervention strategies. More information is available on the <a href="https://cncfr.jbsinternational.com/" rel="nofollow">Center for Native Child and Family Resilience website</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

More CB Training and Technical Assistance Updates

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/pubs/expecting-parenting-youth/" rel="nofollow">Expecting and Parenting in Care: Tips for Youth </a></li><li><a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/trafficking-caseworkers/" rel="nofollow">Human Trafficking and Child Welfare: A Guide for Caseworkers</a></li><li><a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/trafficking-agencies/" rel="nofollow">Human Trafficking and Child Welfare: A Guide for Child Welfare Agencies</a></li><li><a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/support-expecting-parenting/" rel="nofollow">Improving Services for Expectant and Parenting Youth in Care </a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/child-welfare-information-gateway/?utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_source&#61;linkedinlaunch061523" rel="nofollow">Information Gateway is Now on LinkedIn!</a></li><li><a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/participacion-jovenes/" rel="nofollow">Priorizar la voz de los jóvenes: la importancia de la participación auténtica de los jóvenes en la planificación de casos</a> (Prioritizing Youth Voice: The Importance of Authentic Youth Engagement in Case Planning) [Spanish Bulletin for Professionals]</li><li><a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/service-array/services-disabilities/" rel="nofollow">Services for Children and Youth With Disabilities</a> [Webpage update]</li><li>Spanish resources are now available in the <a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/sgm/" rel="nofollow">State Guides and Manuals Search </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-type: circle; list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/cfsr-measures-crosswalk" rel="nofollow">CFSR Measures Crosswalk</a></li><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/virtualexpo" rel="nofollow">Child Welfare Virtual Expo 2023</a> [Information and registration]</li><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/guide-on-reflecting-on-racial-equity-and-prevention" rel="nofollow">Reflecting on Racial Equity and Prevention-Focused Systems Discussion Guide</a></li><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/reflecting-on-racial-equity-and-ffpsa-guide" rel="nofollow">Reflecting on Racial Equity and the Family First Prevention Services Act Discussion Guide</a></li><li><a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USACFCBCS-365b5b6?wgt_ref&#61;USACFCBCS_WIDGET_1" rel="nofollow">Spotlight On Collaborating to Strengthen and Enhance Tribal-State Relationships</a></li><li><a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USACFCBCS-36cb8de?wgt_ref&#61;USACFCBCS_WIDGET_1" rel="nofollow">Spotlight On Cultivating a Diverse Child Welfare Workforce</a></li></ul>
</li></ul>
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li>Center for Tribes Tribal Information Exchange
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="circle"><li><a href="https://maine.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mAJdmcceTbyV9gXeEH-NNQ?utm_source&#61;Center&#43;for&#43;Tribes&#43;Outreach&amp;utm_campaign&#61;bfecb7bcd4-activeeffortsemail_COPY_01&amp;utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_term&#61;0_c52045c6a7-bfecb7bcd4-380834570#/registration" rel="nofollow">“Incorporating Cultural Values and Traditions into Policy, Procedure &amp; Practice”</a> [Webinar registration]</li><li><a href="https://tribalinformationexchange.org/index.php/2023/06/29/trauma-informed-supervision-in-tribal-child-welfare-adaptive-leadership-reflective-practice-part-2-of-2/" rel="nofollow">“Part 2: Adaptive Leadership &amp; Reflective Practice”</a> (from the Trauma-Informed Supervision in Tribal Child Welfare series) [Webinar recording]</li><li><a href="https://tribalinformationexchange.org/index.php/understandingandovercomingbias/" rel="nofollow">“Understanding and Overcoming Bias”</a> [E-learning]</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/birth-foster-module/" rel="nofollow">&#34;Birth Parent &amp; Foster Caregiver Partnerships: A Family Systems Perspective&#34;</a> [Learning module]</li><li><a href="https://cblcc.acf.hhs.gov/topic-areas/engaging-communities/" rel="nofollow">Engaging Communities</a> [Webpage update]</li><li><a href="https://cblcc.acf.hhs.gov/topic-areas/families-impacted-by-incarceration/" rel="nofollow">Families Impacted by Incarceration</a> [Webpage update]</li><li><a href="https://cblcc.acf.hhs.gov/topic-areas/trauma-and-healing/redressing-the-wrongs-of-history/" rel="nofollow">&#34;Redressing the Wrongs of History&#34;</a> [Digital dialogue]</li><li><a href="https://cblcc.acf.hhs.gov/topic-areas/trauma-and-healing/supporting-children-and-youth-coping-with-unresolved-loss/" rel="nofollow">&#34;Supporting Children and Youth Coping With Unresolved Loss&#34;</a> [Digital dialogue]</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/july-2023-cbcap-peer-learning-call-communicating-to-strengthen-families-dos-and-donts-of-effective-campaign-planning-for-preventing-early-adversity/" rel="nofollow">“Communicating to Strengthen Families: Do’s and Don’ts of Effective Campaign Planning for Preventing Early Adversity”</a> [Webinar recording]</li><li><a href="https://friendsnrc.org/resources/special-populations-session-1-father-engagement/" rel="nofollow">Special Populations Discussion Series, “Session 1: Father Engagement”</a> [Webinar recording]</li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://friendsnrc.org/" rel="nofollow">FRIENDS National Resource Center website</a> for more.
 
National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI)
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Celebrate-Your-Workforce-This-September.html?soid&#61;1103622714543&amp;aid&#61;9Y_SH03NTRM" rel="nofollow">August 2023 National eUpdate, “What’s Trending”</a> [Newsletter]</li><li><a href="https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Celebrate-Your-Workforce-This-September.html?soid&#61;1103622714543&amp;aid&#61;9Y_SH03NTRM" rel="nofollow">July 2023 National eUpdate, “Celebrate Your Workforce This September”</a> [Newsletter]</li><li><a href="https://ncwwi.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Measuring-Child-Welfare-Workers-Physiological-Stress.pdf" rel="nofollow">Measuring Child Welfare Workers Physiological Stress</a></li><li><a href="https://ncwwi.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cross-Site-Leadership-Academy-Report-2023.pdf" rel="nofollow">NCWWI Leadership Academy: Cross-Site Final Evaluation Report, Pre-Training to 6-Month Follow-Up</a></li><li><a href="http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk&#61;a07ejubezg7b47cdfab&amp;llr&#61;pfnuq9dab" rel="nofollow">Registration Is Open for the Child Welfare Worker Recognition Event</a></li><li><a href="https://ncwwi.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NCWWI-1-pager-The-Center-for-Regional-and-Tribal-Welfare-Studies-1.pdf" rel="nofollow">The Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare Studies: Systems Change Through a Relational Anishinaabe Worldview</a></li><li>What Makes a Good Learning Culture?</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;262" rel="nofollow">Florida Study of Professionals for Safe Families (FSPSF)</a> [Dataset]</li><li><a href="https://www.ndacan.acf.hhs.gov/about/updata/ndacan-updata-vol-62-summer-2023-06-23.pdf" rel="nofollow">Summer 2023 issue of The NDACAN Updata</a> [Newsletter]</li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://www.ndacan.acf.hhs.gov/index.cfm" rel="nofollow">NDACAN 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/products/lessons-learned/lessons-learned-3/" rel="nofollow">QIC-EY Lessons Learned #3</a></li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://qic-ey.org/" rel="nofollow">QIC-EY 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/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Federal-Funding-for-Gender-Affirming-Materials-Tool.pdf" rel="nofollow">Tool for Child Welfare Staff: Federal Funding for Gender Affirming Materials for Transgender &amp; Nonbinary Youth in Foster Care</a></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.
 
Quality Improvement Center for Workforce Development (QIC-WD)
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://www.qic-wd.org/umbrella-summary/job-crafting" rel="nofollow">Umbrella Summary: Job Crafting</a></li><li><a href="https://www.qic-wd.org/umbrella-summary/job-design" rel="nofollow">Umbrella Summary: Job Design</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/personality-tests" rel="nofollow">Umbrella Summary: Personality Tests</a></li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://www.qic-wd.org/" rel="nofollow">QIC-WD website</a> for more.
 
AdoptUSKids
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://professionals.adoptuskids.org/bridges-across-borders/" rel="nofollow">“Bridges Across Borders”</a> [Article]</li><li><a href="https://professionals.adoptuskids.org/how-can-we-reduce-congregate-care-placements-lessons-from-south-carolina/" rel="nofollow">“How Can We Reduce Congregate Care Placements? Lessons From South Carolina”</a> [Article]</li><li><a href="https://blog.adoptuskids.org/good-grief-finding-strength-in-facing-grief-and-loss-as-an-adoptive-parent/" rel="nofollow">“Good Grief: Finding Strength in Facing Grief and Loss as an Adoptive Parent”</a> [Blog post]</li><li><a href="https://blog.adoptuskids.org/not-your-style-think-again-trauma-responsive-parenting-really-works/" rel="nofollow">“Not Your Style? Think Again. Trauma-Responsive Parenting Really Works.”</a> [Blog post]</li><li><a href="https://blog.adoptuskids.org/parents-adopt-6-siblings-from-foster-care-the-love-is-forever/" rel="nofollow">“Parents adopt 6 siblings from foster care: ‘The love is forever’”</a> [Blog post]</li><li><a href="https://professionals.adoptuskids.org/the-importance-of-race-and-culture-in-adoption-permanency-decisions/" rel="nofollow">“The Importance of Race and Culture in Adoption Permanency Decisions”</a> [Webinar recording]</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/continuous-quality-improvement-change-packages/" rel="nofollow">Continuous Quality Improvement Change Packages</a></li><li><a href="https://www.jbassoc.com/resource/family-spirit-program-profile/" rel="nofollow">Family Spirit Profile</a></li><li><a href="https://www.jbassoc.com/resource/infant-and-early-childhood-mental-health-consultation-in-home-visiting/" rel="nofollow">Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation in Home Visiting</a></li><li><a href="https://www.jbassoc.com/resource/latin-american-youth-centers-promotor-pathway-profile/" rel="nofollow">Latin American Youth Center’s Promotor Pathway Profile</a></li><li><a href="https://www.jbassoc.com/resource/peer-health-exchange-profile/" rel="nofollow">Peer Health Exchange Profile</a></li><li><a href="https://www.jbassoc.com/resource/program-manuals-for-child-welfare-interventions-an-overview-of-the-development-process/" rel="nofollow">Program Manuals for Child Welfare Interventions: An Overview of the Development Process</a></li></ul>
Visit the <a href="https://www.jbassoc.com/" rel="nofollow">James Bell Associates website</a> for more.

The Quality Improvement Center on Engaging Youth in Finding Permanency (QIC-EY) released the third lesson in its Lessons Learned series. The lesson presents the findings from a literature review that identified

New Lesson Learned: Core Professional Characteristics for Engaging Children and Youth

The Quality Improvement Center on Engaging Youth in Finding Permanency (QIC-EY) released the <a href="https://qic-ey.org/products/lessons-learned/lessons-learned-3/" rel="nofollow">third lesson</a> in its <a title="Lessons Learned series" href="https://qic-ey.org/products/lessons-learned/" rel="nofollow">Lessons Learned series</a>. The lesson presents the findings from a literature review that identified the three core professional characteristics—commitment, self-awareness, and flexibility—the child welfare workforce needs to authentically engage with the children and youth in its care.
The lesson details these important characteristics, asking readers to think critically about what they mean to their agencies and staff, and it outlines the associated competencies that can help facilitate effective engagement. A tool for understanding and strengthening each characteristic is also included.
To learn more, read <a href="https://qic-ey.org/products/lessons-learned/lessons-learned-3/" rel="nofollow">Lessons Learned #3</a> on the QIC-EY website.

The Capacity Building Center for States recently updated the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) State Data Profile Quick Reference tip sheet, part of its CFSR Statewide Data Indicators series. The

Updated Tip Sheet: Child and Family Services Review State Data Profile, Round 4

The Capacity Building Center for States recently updated the <a title="Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) State Data Profile Quick Reference" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAzMTUuNzMzNzI1MDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NhcGFjaXR5LmNoaWxkd2VsZmFyZS5nb3Yvc3RhdGVzL3Jlc291cmNlcy9jZnNyLWRhdGEtcHJvZmlsZS1xdWljay1yZWZlcmVuY2UtcHVibGljYXRpb24_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPSZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fbmFtZT0mdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1jYXBuZXdzbWFyMjMifQ.JlnQ2fq5sVxhOf-VSBFfNc17MTD8-qETEmwLknhqJwI/s/2973473021/br/156175131734-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) State Data Profile Quick Reference</a> tip sheet, part of its <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAzMTUuNzMzNzI1MDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NhcGFjaXR5LmNoaWxkd2VsZmFyZS5nb3Yvc3RhdGVzL3RvcGljcy9jZnNyL2Nmc3ItZGF0YS1zeW50YXgtdG9vbGtpdD91dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249JnV0bV9jb250ZW50PSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9uYW1lPSZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWNhcG5ld3NtYXIyMyJ9.mQe4NAHGr8eewCHpeFxE6RAuD0wopFpxQVj8p2IJ1zo/s/2973473021/br/156175131734-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">CFSR Statewide Data Indicators</a> series.
The tip sheet, updated for round 4 of the CFSRs, helps build an understanding of the different elements of the CFSR Data Profile and supports the interpretation of state performance on statewide data indicators. It includes visualizations of the risk-standardized performance, national performance, and observed performance, as well as information on the seven statewide data indicators:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Permanency in 12 months (entries)</li><li>Permanency in 12 months (12–23 months)</li><li>Permanency in 12 months (24&#43; months)</li><li>Reentry to foster care</li><li>Placement stability</li><li>Maltreatment in care</li><li>Recurrence of maltreatment</li></ul>
State child welfare agency leaders, staff, and other partners can use these data profiles to assess the strengths and improvement needs as part of strategic planning, reporting, and continuous quality improvement efforts.
The tip sheet—used together with the <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.qb09FM4O2yj5nMwEvAPptfAIwFMNHrSFlxs-9stTzBU/s/2973473021/br/156175131734-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Guide for Using the State Data Profile and Context Data</a> and <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.fmPR5X9p2HfaL0DaC4sgDWGUsYFhaDyTj6So-io7vYg/s/2973473021/br/156175131734-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">application example</a> from the <a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMjIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAzMTUuNzMzNzI1MDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NhcGFjaXR5LmNoaWxkd2VsZmFyZS5nb3Yvc3RhdGVzL3RvcGljcy9jZnNyL3BsYW5uaW5nLXRvb2xzP3V0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj0mdXRtX2NvbnRlbnQ9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX25hbWU9JnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Y2FwbmV3c21hcjIzIn0.CjSyVEo0HXpfagwbkmspCrPTrC1sf3i5g4-UlACFK1o/s/2973473021/br/156175131734-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">CFSR Round 4 Planning and Implementation Tools</a> series—can help state teams prepare for the CFSR Statewide Assessment and examine and disaggregate state data to better understand experiences and outcomes of children and young people served by the child welfare system.

Child Trends recently updated its comprehensive child welfare resource providing state-level data intended to represent and explain the condition of child welfare in the United States. Data span various

Using Updated State-Level Data to Understand U.S. Child Welfare

Child Trends recently updated its <a title="comprehensive child welfare resource" href="https://www.childtrends.org/publications/state-level-data-for-understanding-child-welfare-in-the-united-states" rel="nofollow">comprehensive child welfare resource</a> providing state-level data intended to represent and explain the condition of child welfare in the United States. Data span various aspects of the child welfare system and can be used to help policymakers understand how many children and youth come in contact with the child welfare system and why.
The interactive tool allows users to select a state and one of five categories: child maltreatment, foster care, kinship care, permanency, and older youth. Within each category, the resource features several data points, some of which are presented visually using graphics. The following are some of the statistics included:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Number and rate of maltreated children and children entering foster care</li><li>Demographics</li><li>Postresponse services</li><li>Reasons for entering foster care</li><li>Number of children placed with relatives</li><li>Number of children exiting foster care to guardianship</li><li>Number of children adopted from foster care by relatives</li><li>Funding for guardianship</li><li>Placement stability among children exiting to permanency</li><li>Length of stay in foster care</li><li>Reason for entering care among older youth</li></ul>
In addition to the interactive data presentations, Child Trends developed a companion guide and glossary to accompany the resource. The companion guide includes recommendations for ways that policymakers, advocates, researchers, and reporters can use the resource, as well as descriptions of the various data sources used.
Explore <a title="State-Level Data for Understanding Child Welfare in the United States" href="https://www.childtrends.org/publications/state-level-data-for-understanding-child-welfare-in-the-united-states" rel="nofollow">State-Level Data for Understanding Child Welfare in the United States</a> on the Child Trends website for more information.

Older youth and young adults in foster care have unique needs and require specialized services. A recent resource from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Fostering Youth Transitions 2023: State and National

Report Provides Data on Older Youth in Foster Care

Older youth and young adults in foster care have unique needs and require specialized services. A recent resource from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, <a href="https://www.aecf.org/resources/fostering-youth-transitions-2023" rel="nofollow">Fostering Youth Transitions 2023: State and National Data to Drive Foster Care Advocacy</a>, examines the experiences of teens and young adults in foster care using the most recent data available from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
The resource includes an overview brief, state profiles, data tables, and source notes. It is an expansion of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s first Fostering Youth Transitions brief, which was published in 2018. Unlike the 2018 brief, this new iteration provides state data profiles that trace the experiences of young people ages 14 to 21 who were in foster care between 2006 and 2021, including how they were faring before and after they left foster care. The brief also includes information about the following topics:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li>The challenges that young people face while in and exiting care</li><li>How youth in foster care are faring in each state as they transition to adulthood</li><li>Ways systemic shortcomings lead to young people not having access to resources and opportunities</li><li>How gaps in service delivery have a negative effect on youth in transition</li><li>How the state profiles can be used to make improvements</li></ul>
The resource was designed to help advocates, policymakers, and practitioners raise national awareness of the unmet needs of older youth who experience foster care. Its main takeaway is that systems are not connecting young people to the resources and connections necessary to successfully navigate adulthood. Advocates and policymakers can use the brief and state data to assess their state&#39;s performance against national trends and build strategies to help young people lead healthy, happy lives after foster care, regardless of their background and experience.
Visit the <a title="Annie E. Casey website" href="https://www.aecf.org/resources/fostering-youth-transitions-2023#summary" rel="nofollow">Annie E. Casey website</a> for more information.

Lack of equitable access to concrete resources and support is a major contributor to child welfare system involvement. In response to this challenge, many child welfare prevention efforts are focused on

Policy Tool on Economic Supports as a Maltreatment Prevention Strategy

Lack of equitable access to concrete resources and support is a major contributor to child welfare system involvement. In response to this challenge, many child welfare prevention efforts are focused on providing these resources and services to families so they can get help before child welfare system intervention becomes necessary.
With the goal of reducing child welfare system involvement, Chapin Hall and the American Public Human Services Association created a new tool featuring both research and potential policy options. The tool, <a href="https://www.chapinhall.org/wp-content/uploads/FINAL-ECS-Tool-with-Intro_6.14.23.pdf" rel="nofollow">Evidence to Impact: State Policy Options to Increase Access to Economic &amp; Concrete Supports as a Child Welfare Prevention Strategy</a>, was released in June 2023.
The tool features state policy options and findings from peer-reviewed research for the following forms of support, which are organized by type (macroeconomic supports, concrete supports, and public assistance programs):
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li>Earned Income Tax Credit</li><li>Child Tax Credit</li><li>Minimum wage</li><li>Paid family leave</li><li>Employment and job creation</li><li>Child care</li><li>Housing</li><li>Health care</li><li>Flexible funds</li><li>Direct cash transfers</li><li>Public assistance programs</li><li>Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)</li><li>Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)</li><li>Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)</li></ul>
Jurisdictions can use the tool to assess current policies and consider future opportunities to expand access to economic and concrete supports as a primary prevention strategy.

By Mary-Kate Myers and Julia Mueller (Consultants at the Center for States) and Center for States Staff Meaningfully engaging young people and families with lived experience in efforts to improve child

Engaging Young People and Families in the CFSR and Agency CQI

By Mary-Kate Myers and Julia Mueller (Consultants at the Center for States) and Center for States Staff
Meaningfully engaging young people and families with lived experience in efforts to improve child welfare systems, such as the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) and other agency continuous quality improvement (CQI), helps agencies better identify challenges that communities face, strategize solutions, and draw attention to potential unintended harm. Such engagement represents a unique opportunity for agencies to begin or build on ongoing, sustainable relationships with these partners. (For more information on the CFSR, please visit the Children’s Bureau’s <a href="https://www.cfsrportal.acf.hhs.gov/" rel="nofollow">CFSR Information Portal</a> and the Capacity Building Center for States<a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/topics/cfsr" rel="nofollow"> CFSR topic page</a> and review the Center’s <a href="https://www.cfsrportal.acf.hhs.gov/resources/round-4-resources/2020/cfsr-technical-bulletin-12" rel="nofollow">Child and Family Services Review Technical Bulletin #12</a>.)
Despite the benefits of engaging people with lived experience in all aspects of the CFSR and agency CQI, child welfare agencies often face challenges doing so sustainably, including not knowing how to identify or reach out to new partners, preparing agency staff as well as families and young people for engagement, and sharing data and information in a relatable, digestible way.
Best Practices for Sustaining Engagement of Young People and Families in the CFSR and Other CQI efforts
The following best practices identified by people with lived experience and examples from child welfare agencies can help you build new relationships and support ongoing engagement with young people and families with lived experience:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Engage with partners early and often. Before beginning CFSR tasks as a team, consider who else can be at the table to better reflect the communities served. Also take this time to identify ways to compensate partners appropriately for their time.</li><li>Prioritize and support ongoing racial equity conversations at every agency level. By doing so, everyone understands the benefits of team representation of people from the racial, ethnic, and intersectional groups in the communities the agency serves.</li><li>Welcome new partners, diverse perspectives, and honest feedback. While this may mean that the agency sometimes hears negative feedback or opposing views, these are essential to child welfare system improvement efforts. For the same reason, try to not rely on one or two recurring partners with lived experience for most of your feedback—seek out new partners with lived experience and multiple perspectives from all the communities an agency serves.</li><li>Facilitate goal alignment and transparency within the group, especially regarding the purpose of engagement, expectations, timeframes, and activities. This can include creating team norms, collaboratively identifying team responsibilities and tasks, or setting up time to share expectations, ask questions, and offer considerations.</li><li>Enable team member participation by offering support. If you are able, offer smaller, local meetings as well as hybrid options for team meetings. Consider whether partners with lived experience have barriers to participation—such as speaking English as a second language; lacking access to transportation, technology, or childcare; or other barriers—and then work together to identify strategies to overcome these barriers. For example, agencies can offer a translator and documents in multiple languages, provide a ride share or transportation voucher, provide internet access and laptop, and allow individuals to bring older children to meetings.</li><li>Set preparation and group debriefing times as needed and appropriate to encourage authentic engagement. Provide partners with easy-to-understand background information (e.g., <a href="https://www.cfsrportal.acf.hhs.gov/announcements/new-round-4-cfsr-overview-video" rel="nofollow">CFSR overview video</a> or <a href="https://www.cfsrportal.acf.hhs.gov/resources/round-4-resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-youth" rel="nofollow">factsheets for youth</a> or <a href="https://www.cfsrportal.acf.hhs.gov/resources/round-4-resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-parents-and-caregivers" rel="nofollow">parents and caregivers</a>) to increase their understanding and offer opportunities for discussion with all team members.</li><li>Create data visualizations and share information in plain language. By showing the data in different ways and using common language, the team can appeal to more participants, increasing engagement and sustainability.</li><li>Identify an agency and team champion or champions to prioritize ongoing engagement with people with lived experience.</li></ul>
Engagement Strategies From Jurisdictions
Several states and jurisdictions currently participating in CFSR Round 4 have implemented some of the above strategies to successfully engage with young people and families. Some examples include:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Hosting focus groups to collect qualitative data to support ratings for the Statewide Assessment and to prepare for Program Improvement Plan development—these were available to various partner groups, both internally and externally, at various times of the day and different days of the week to better meet availability and increase participation</li><li>Integrating partners and creating roles within workgroups to be responsible for different portions of the Statewide Assessment, composed of various internal and external partners, including those with lived experience and those from legal and judicial communities</li><li>Using accessible methods to collect quantitative and qualitative data to increase participation and response—some states have turned inquiry forms and surveys into QR codes, printed them on fliers, and shared the fliers in public locales such as the laundromat, public transportation terminals, food pantries, local universities or trade schools, agency offices, community boards, and virtually</li></ul>
Additional Resources
Initiating and sustaining meaningful engagement of people with lived experience in the CFSR, agency CQI, and other agency processes is key to advancing system change in child welfare. The new Center for States resource, <a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/preparation-checklist-for-engagement-of-young-people-and-families-in-the-cfsr" rel="nofollow">Preparation Checklist for Engagement of Young People and Families in the CFSR</a>, is a fillable tool that can help you identify and put in place needed infrastructure and supports that set the stage for meaningful and ongoing engagement practices. For more information, explore the following resources:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/cfsr-round-4-planning-tool" rel="nofollow">CFSR Connections and Integration. CFSR Round 4 Planning and Implementation Tool</a>, Center for States</li><li><a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/management/reform/engaging/" rel="nofollow">Engaging a Diverse Group of Individuals, Perspectives, and Partners in Child Welfare</a>, Child Welfare Information Gateway (webpage)</li><li><a href="https://www.cfsrportal.acf.hhs.gov/resources/round-4-resources/cfsr-round-4-process/engaging-young-people-lived-experience-in-cfsrs" rel="nofollow">Engaging Young People With Lived Experience in the CFSRs: Key Considerations, Roles, and Recommendations</a>, Childrens Bureau</li><li><a href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/47f62cae96710d1fa13b0f590f2d1b03/lived-experience-brief.pdf" rel="nofollow">Methods and Emerging Strategies to Engage People With Lived Experience</a>, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</li><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/strategic-planning-meaningful-engagement" rel="nofollow">Strategic Planning in Child Welfare: Strategies for Meaningful Youth, Family, and Other Partner Engagement</a>, Center for States</li></ul>

When relatives step in as caregivers to help family members in need, they don’t always receive the resources and support they need. To increase support for kin families, the Recognize, Assist, Include,

National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers: Recommendations for States and Communities

When relatives step in as caregivers to help family members in need, they don’t always receive the resources and support they need. To increase support for kin families, the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Act Family Caregiving Advisory Council and the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren developed the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers.
As part of the strategy, the advisory councils released a <a title="document" href="https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/RAISE_SGRG/NatlStrategyFamCaregivers_ActionsSCO.pdf" rel="nofollow">document</a> outlining more than 150 suggested actions that states, communities, and other organizations can take to holistically recognize, assist, include, support, and engage family caregivers. The actions were developed in 2022 based on focus groups, interviews with caregivers, research, surveys, and more. They are neither prescriptive nor all-inclusive and are intended to provide a variety of options for jurisdictions and other organizations.
The actions are designed to support the strategy’s five major goals identified by the advisory councils:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li>Achieve greater awareness of and outreach to family caregivers</li><li>Advance partnerships and engagement with family caregivers</li><li>Strengthen services and supports for family caregivers</li><li>Improve financial and workplace security for family caregivers</li><li>Improve actions to expand data, research, and evidence-based practices to support family caregivers</li></ul>
To learn more, read <a href="https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/RAISE_SGRG/NatlStrategyFamCaregivers_ActionsSCO.pdf" rel="nofollow">2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers: Actions for States, Communities, and Others</a>.

Creating a Family, a national adoption and foster care education and support nonprofit, has a new webpage that provides back-to-school resources in a variety of formats for foster, adoptive, and kinship

Back-to-School Resources for Adoptive, Foster, and Kinship Families

Creating a Family, a national adoption and foster care education and support nonprofit, has a new <a href="https://creatingafamily.org/backtoschool/" rel="nofollow">webpage</a> that provides back-to-school resources in a variety of formats for foster, adoptive, and kinship families. For many children and families, especially those who have experienced trauma or are involved with the child welfare system, the beginning of the school year can be an emotional and challenging time.
To help ease this transition, Creating a Family curated helpful resources for parents, caregivers, and the children in their care. Information is evidence-based and trauma-informed and includes topics such as cultivating resilience, managing intrusive questions, advocating for your child at school, navigating special education and the Individualized Educational Program (IEP) and 504 process, helping your adopted child handle microaggressions, and more.
Visitors to the website can explore a variety of school-related yet topically broad episodes from the Creating a Family podcast and a selection of related articles. A free, online back-to-school “packaged” <a href="https://www.creatingafamilyed.org/bundles/back-to-school-package" rel="nofollow">course</a> tailored to adoptive and foster parents is also available and includes the following expert-led courses:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>“Back to School With Foster &amp; Adopted Kids”</li><li>“Building Resilience: Helping Our Kids Overcome a Traumatic Background”</li><li>“Handling Screens and Technology as a Family”</li><li>“Parenting Adopted Teens and Young Adults”</li></ul>
To learn more, visit the <a href="https://creatingafamily.org/backtoschool/" rel="nofollow">Creating a Family website</a>.

Child Welfare Information Gateway recently published the factsheet for families Child Maltreatment and Brain Development: A Primer for Caregivers. This publication provides caregivers—including parents,

Factsheet for Families Explores the Impact of Maltreatment on the Developing Brain  

Child Welfare Information Gateway recently published the factsheet for families <a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/brain-dev-caregivers/" rel="nofollow">Child Maltreatment and Brain Development: A Primer for Caregivers</a>. This publication provides caregivers—including parents, kin caregivers, foster parents, and others—with an introduction to child and youth brain development. It explores the short- and long-term effects abuse and neglect can have on the developing brain, which can often manifest as academic, behavioral, emotional, and other difficulties. The factsheet also highlights the presence and importance of resilience and gives tips to help caregivers work with child welfare staff and others to make sure their child and family receive appropriate services and supports.
A complementary issue brief, <a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/issue-briefs/brain-development/" rel="nofollow">Child Maltreatment and Brain Development: A Primer for Child Welfare Professionals</a>, provides child and family-serving professionals with a similar review of brain development, the varied effects of child maltreatment, and the implications and considerations for child welfare practice.

Upcoming conferences and events on child welfare and adoption include the following: September Child Welfare Worker Recognition Event 2023 National Child Welfare Workforce Institute and the Children's

Upcoming conferences and events on child welfare and adoption include the following:
September
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a title="Child Welfare Worker Recognition Event 2023" href="http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk&#61;a07ejubezg7b47cdfab&amp;llr&#61;pfnuq9dab" rel="nofollow">Child Welfare Worker Recognition Event 2023</a> National Child Welfare Workforce Institute and the Children&#39;s Bureau Virtual, September 12 </li><li><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lnpvb21nb3YuY29tL21lZXRpbmcvcmVnaXN0ZXIvdkpJdGNPaWdwandwRzhYMzdWZzZmeFE3RDZIQkJYVEZUa1k_dXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPSZ1dG1fY29udGVudD0mdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fbmFtZT0mdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1wZ2xlYWRtZXNzYWdlIiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDgyMy44MTUzODM2MSJ9.Ab47i__jDQqEA1cXTqaGIN0-sUagkd1R7N8SomxVVYU/s/2940650097/br/224677119968-l" rel="nofollow">&#34;Keeping Youth at the Center of Kinship Care Practice: Prioritizing Relationships, Community, and Culture&#34;</a> Capacity Building Center for States Virtual, September 13 </li><li><a href="https://abuse.publichealth.gsu.edu/ga-conference-on-child-abuse-neglect/" rel="nofollow">Georgia&#39;s 2023 Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect</a> Prevent Child Abuse Georgia Peachtree City, GA, September 14 </li><li><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6gcTPahLS1Cx_hm2QV5Ikg#/registration" rel="nofollow">&#34;Making Moments Matter: Transforming Child Welfare One Moment at a Time&#34;</a> Quality Improvement Center on Engaging Youth in Finding Permanency Virtual, September 14 </li><li><a href="https://www.zerotothree.org/event/learn-conference-2023/" rel="nofollow">ZERO TO THREE LEARN Conference 2023</a> ZERO TO THREE Minneapolis, MN, September 19–20 </li><li><a href="https://naccchildlaw.org/conference/46th-national-child-welfare-law-conference/" rel="nofollow">46th National Child Welfare Law Conference</a> National Association of Counsel for Children Virtual, September 20–22 </li><li><a title="2023 Child Welfare Virtual Expo" href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/virtualexpo" rel="nofollow">2023 Child Welfare Virtual Expo</a> Capacity Building Center for States Virtual, September 21</li></ul>
October
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a title="2023 International Virtual Conference: A Call to Action to Change Child Welfare" href="https://web.cvent.com/event/be05eaa3-d278-4c28-88d7-713f1b9fe95e/websitePage:ad184207-d7a3-4448-837e-f74dfa457683" rel="nofollow">2023 International Virtual Conference: A Call to Action to Change Child Welfare</a> The Kempe Center Virtual, October 2–5 </li><li><a title="SPARK 2023 Conference" href="https://www.social-current.org/event/spark23/" rel="nofollow">SPARK 2023 Conference</a> Social Current Bethesda, MD, October 16–17 </li><li><a title="NSDTA Annual Education Conference" href="https://www.nsdtaconference.com/" rel="nofollow">NSDTA Annual Education Conference</a> National Staff Development and Training Association (NSDTA), an affi­nity peer group of the American Public Human Services Association Pittsburgh, PA, October 22–25 </li><li><a title="29th Annual Prevent Child Abuse Illinois Statewide Conference" href="https://www.preventchildabuseillinois.org/pca-conference" rel="nofollow">29th Annual Prevent Child Abuse Illinois Statewide Conference</a> Prevent Child Abuse Illinois Naperville, IL, October 26–27</li></ul>
November
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a title="19th Annual Fatherhood Is Leadership National Conference" href="https://www.nativeamericanfathers.org/2023filnationalconference" rel="nofollow">19th Annual Fatherhood Is Leadership National Conference</a> Native American Fatherhood &amp; Families Association Mesa, AZ, November 7–9</li></ul>

A free e-learning course from the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) explores the human services value curve (HSVC) framework, which provides professionals, leaders, and policymakers with

Free Training Helps Professionals "See" Service Delivery Through the Eyes of Service Recipients

A free <a title="e-learning course" href="https://thrive.matrixlms.com/user_dashboard" rel="nofollow">e-learning course</a> from the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) explores the human services value curve (HSVC) framework, which provides professionals, leaders, and policymakers with a lens—or a perspective—for seeing human services delivery through the eyes of those who receive the services.
&#34;The Human Services Value Curve: An Introduction&#34; describes the HSVC framework in detail, including its benefits, role in decision-making, and use as a tool for actualizing transformational change. The course also provides examples and real applications using case scenarios.
This training and others are located in APHSA’s learning management system, THRIVE. Users must create a free account to access the course. After doing so, the self-paced training can be completed in multiple sessions as progress is tracked and can be resumed at participants’ leisure.

September 2023Vol. 24, No. 7Back-to-School Resources for Adoptive, Foster, and Kinship Families