Kinship foster families who are thinking about taking the next steps to legal permanency have many options to consider and decisions to make for their child and family’s well-being. These include selecting

Updated State-by-State Resources Help Families Understand Permanency Options

Kinship foster families who are thinking about taking the next steps to legal permanency have many options to consider and decisions to make for their child and family’s well-being. These include selecting the most appropriate permanency option based on the child’s unique situation, family preferences, and available resources. Because adoption and guardianship laws are developed and implemented at the state, tribal, and local levels, it’s important that families understand what the paths to permanency look like in their specific locality so they can make the best-informed decision.
Generations United’s <a href="https://www.gu.org/resources/adoption-and-guardianship-for-children-in-kinship-foster-care/" rel="nofollow">newly updated state-specific comparison charts</a> provide important details about what adoption looks like in all 50 states and the District of Columbia as compared to guardianship. Kinship foster families can use their state’s comparison chart to help guide their permanency decisions and learn how their locality addresses the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Rights and responsibilities</li><li>Financial and legal assistance</li><li>Public benefits</li><li>Health insurance</li><li>Federal and state tax credits</li><li>Caregiver successor planning and death benefits for children</li><li>College and independent living</li></ul>
The charts present information about each state’s adoption and guardianship options in a question-and-answer format to walk users through some of the intricacies of the decision-making thought process. All those involved in a permanency decision—including relative caregivers, older children, birth parents, and caseworkers—can review these important details to better understand each option.
The state-specific charts are part of a suite of Generations United resources focused on permanency options for children in kinship care. These resources include a <a href="https://www.gu.org/app/uploads/2021/10/2021-Grandfamilies-Adoption-Guardianship-Chart.pdf" rel="nofollow">national comparison chart</a> offering a broad national overview of the paths to adoption and guardianship and a <a href="https://www.gu.org/app/uploads/2018/12/Grandfamilies-Adoption-Guardianship-Brief.pdf" rel="nofollow">brief</a> that provides comprehensive information about permanency options, outlines key differences between these options, and highlights trends in state laws that affect families navigating the foster care system.
Find the chart for your locality and access the complete suite of resources on the <a href="https://www.gu.org/resources/adoption-and-guardianship-for-children-in-kinship-foster-care/" rel="nofollow">Generations United website</a>.
Related item: Learn more about the brief in the <a href="https://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/article/2023/november/permanency-options-for-children-in-kinship-foster-care/bd06f7a11bf1bd5042d56577624bcbbc" rel="nofollow">November 2023 issue</a> of CBX.

November 2024

Written by Commissioner Rebecca Jones Gaston Each November, we celebrate National Adoption Month by raising awareness of the many children in foster care awaiting loving, permanent homes. This month is

Cultivating Connections: A Message From Commissioner Rebecca Jones Gaston

Written by Commissioner Rebecca Jones Gaston
Each November, we celebrate National Adoption Month by raising awareness of the many children in foster care awaiting loving, permanent homes. This month is also a time to celebrate the professionals who support these young people on their paths to permanency and the families who provide loving, lasting bonds. The theme for this year&#39;s National Adoption Month is all about those connections: &#34;Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds.&#34;
Connections are crucial on the path to permanency. They can help youth stay linked to their cultures and traditions, nurture a sense of belonging, and provide guidance as youth mature into adulthood. For many young people, having someone they trust can buffer the effects of trauma. When we think about connection, we should view it through the lens of a kin-first culture and promote young people&#39;s relationships with relatives, their communities, and those who share their racial and ethnic identities. These include parents, grandparents, siblings, friends who feel like family, mentors, and peers. Connections should not be limited to legal permanency only; for many young people, relational permanency—lifelong connections with supportive adults—can be just as important.
Within a kin-first culture, nurturing youths&#39; connections also means supporting their supporters. We know that many families&#39; challenges stem from unmet needs. To help them be there for the young people in their lives, we must address the root causes of their challenges. We can holistically support the whole family unit by improving equitable access to economic and concrete supports, combatting disparities and disproportionality driven by discrimination and systemic racism, removing barriers for kin caregivers, and partnering with community-based services and programs. These efforts can promote family preservation, permanency, and stability.
In our pursuit of lasting bonds, we must not forget that professionals can be an important source of connection for young people involved with child welfare. During our National Adoption Month webinar in September, we learned from youth with lived experience that the relationship with their caseworker is sometimes one of the strongest relationships a young person has. By showing up and believing in a young person, we can help them learn to trust and rely on others. We can be the person who listens, who celebrates accomplishments, and who asks questions like &#34;What does permanency look like for you?&#34; or &#34;What goals would you like to achieve?&#34; Caseworkers can also help youth nurture or identify connections that can offer lifelong support and could even become permanency options. Demonstrating love, consistency, and support can prepare youth to build caring and reliable support networks. We should treat it as one of our most important jobs.
I encourage you to explore the resources on the <a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/adoptionmonth/" rel="nofollow">National Adoption Month webpage</a> to learn more about how we can support youth on their journey to permanency, including key statistics, stories from youth and adoptive families, and an outreach toolkit to raise awareness. The webpage includes links to helpful tip sheets, webinars, discussion guides, and more to inform your work supporting young people and their families. Join me this month and throughout the year as we elevate efforts to holistically support all children and families.

A recent report from the National Center for Enhanced Post-Adoption Support, Post-Permanency Services: A Worthwhile Investment, emphasizes how critical postpermanency services are in promoting child well-being

New Report Emphasizes Importance of Postpermanency Services

A recent report from the National Center for Enhanced Post-Adoption Support, <a href="https://postadoptioncenter.org/resource-library/post-permanency-services-a-worthwhile-investment/" rel="nofollow">Post-Permanency Services: A Worthwhile Investment</a>, emphasizes how critical postpermanency services are in promoting child well-being and long-term permanency for adoptive and guardianship families. The publication highlights key research findings on the challenges these families face and how tailored services can provide stability, improve child outcomes, and enhance family functioning.
Adoptive and guardianship families often encounter unique challenges that differ from those of other families. Research shows that children who are adopted, especially those with experience in foster care or institutional settings, frequently have histories of trauma, adversity, and inconsistent caregiving. As a result, families may need ongoing support to navigate emotional and behavioral challenges. The report highlights that nearly 40 percent of adopted children have special health-care needs, and adoptive and guardianship families are three times more likely to require clinical support compared to families formed through birth.
Postpermanency services, including mental health care, educational support, and caregiver support groups, can improve family well-being. These services help reduce behavior challenges, prevent placement disruptions, and enhance family cohesion. Families with access to such support report fewer disruptions, higher levels of family functioning, and more positive outcomes for children.
Additionally, the report underscores the role of postpermanency services in supporting recruitment efforts. Prospective adoptive and guardianship families are more likely to move forward with placements when they know they will have access to needed support after finalization. The availability of services can help alleviate concerns that might otherwise prevent families from adopting children from foster care. 
Investing in postpermanency services benefits children and families and reduces costs for child welfare systems by preventing placement disruptions and reentry into care. The report concludes that comprehensive, adoption-competent services are essential for promoting true permanency and stability for children in adoptive and guardianship placements.

The National Council for Adoption recently released a report, Profiles in Adoption: Adult Adoptee Experiences, based on a large-scale survey of 1,247 adults who were adopted. The report sheds light on

What Do Adult Adoptees Think About Adoption?

The National Council for Adoption recently released a report, <a href="https://adoptioncouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Profiles_in_Adoption_-_Adult_Adoptee_Experiences_-_Final.pdf" rel="nofollow">Profiles in Adoption: Adult Adoptee Experiences</a>, based on a large-scale survey of 1,247 adults who were adopted. The report sheds light on the experiences and perspectives of adoptees in the United States, offering vital insights for professionals and adoptive families alike.
The report explores adoptees&#39; advice to future adoptive parents, with many respondents emphasizing the importance of open, honest communication. Adoptees share that transparency about their adoption from an early age fosters trust and strengthens a child&#39;s sense of belonging. Another common theme is the importance of supporting adoptees&#39; connections to their birth families, where appropriate, and allowing space for adoptees to process their complex emotions.
Additionally, the report delves into what adoptees wished their parents had done differently. A recurring theme is the desire for more emotional openness and sensitivity to the unique challenges faced by people who were adopted. Some respondents note their parents struggled to fully understand the complexities of adoption, including feelings of loss or curiosity about biological families. Adoptees also call for adoptive parents to seek out resources, such as counseling or support groups, to better navigate these challenges.
This research highlights the need for professionals to encourage adoptive parents to engage in adoption education and seek out supportive communities. Adoption professionals can use this information to better prepare families for challenges that may arise.
For a deeper discussion of the report&#39;s findings, listen to the August 2024 episode <a href="https://creatingafamily.org/adoption-category/adoption-radio-shows/what-do-adoptees-think-about-adoption/" rel="nofollow">&#34;What Do Adoptees Think About Adoption?&#34;</a> of the Creating a Family: Talk About Adoption &amp; Foster Care podcast. The episode, which features the National Council for Adoption&#39;s President and CEO Ryan Hanlon and Director of Research Kacy Mixon, explores adoptee perspectives and provides actionable advice for adoptive families.

The 2024 National Adoption Month campaign website has launched on Child Welfare Information Gateway. This year's theme, "Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds," emphasizes the importance

The <a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/adoptionmonth/" rel="nofollow">2024 National Adoption Month campaign website</a> has launched on Child Welfare Information Gateway. This year&#39;s theme, &#34;Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds,&#34; emphasizes the importance of uplifting and genuinely listening to the voices of children and youth who are adopted and helping them create lasting connections that embrace and affirm their identity and background. Nearly 109,000 children were waiting to be adopted in 2022, and the average time in care for all children waiting to be adopted was almost 3 years. Of children waiting to be adopted, Black or African American, multiracial, and American Indian/Alaska Native children were overrepresented. Historically, families of color often have challenging relationships with the child welfare system, which include distrust and lost connections to heritage.
This year&#39;s theme highlights the need to honor the experiences and perspectives of youth as they navigate the adoption process. The campaign encourages professionals and families to focus on building supportive, enduring relationships. These connections are vital for helping children feel valued and understood throughout their journey toward a permanent home—and after. Lasting, permanent relationships with families of origin, fictive kin, and communities directly affect well-being and contribute to positive outcomes for all adoption triad members.
The campaign also emphasizes the importance of finding adoptive families for older youth, who often face significant challenges in achieving permanency. Research indicates that youth who age out of foster care without a stable family are at greater risk for adverse outcomes, including homelessness and mental health issues. Child welfare agencies and advocates can play a crucial role in improving these outcomes by fostering lasting bonds.
The National Adoption Month website offers resources designed to support child welfare professionals, advocates, and prospective adoptive families. Available materials include a toolkit for community outreach, social media graphics, and templates that can be used to raise awareness. The site also features firsthand stories from youth who have experienced adoption. These stories offer insight into their journeys, the critical need for truly listening to youth and family voices, and the impact of solid and permanent bonds.
For more information and to access resources to support adoption efforts, visit the <a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/adoptionmonth/" rel="nofollow">2024 National Adoption Month website</a>.

Written by Children's Bureau Division of State Systems staff Many adoption agencies are leveraging technology to support better adoption matches, streamline paperwork, and promote more efficient communication.

Supporting the Adoption Process Through Technology

Written by Children&#39;s Bureau Division of State Systems staff
Many adoption agencies are leveraging technology to support better adoption matches, streamline paperwork, and promote more efficient communication. To implement these innovations, some agencies build their own forms of technology, such as mobile apps, with adoptive families in mind. Other agencies contract out these services or partner and collaborate with private adoption organizations, such as <a href="https://www.adoptuskids.org/" rel="nofollow">AdoptUSKids</a>, to expand their technology solutions. Other technology innovations include the following:
External-Facing Portals: When state, territory, or tribal law allows, some agencies have implemented a Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System external-facing portal, sometimes called an adoption registry, that allows adoptees who have reached the age of majority to locate their families of origin and find other information, such as their medical history.
Real-Time Communication: Today’s technology enables seamless communication between adoption professionals, prospective parents, and families of origin. Video calls and instant messaging facilitate ongoing conversations to help everyone be well-informed and emotionally prepared. Whether it’s clarifying doubts or sharing updates, real-time communication fosters trust and transparency.
Digital Portfolios: Technology has also revolutionized the way adoption stories are documented and shared. Adoption websites can provide digital portfolios, including photos, videos, and personal stories, for both children and prospective parents to view. This approach allows those involved to transcend geographical boundaries, meet virtually, and potentially connect for adoption purposes.
Online Learning Platforms: Adoption-focused online learning platforms offer courses, workshops, and modules on various relevant topics. Prospective parents can learn about specific topics, such as cross-cultural adoption and adoption&#39;s legal aspects, from the comfort of their homes. These platforms often include expert-led sessions, interactive quizzes, and discussion forums.
Webinars and Podcasts: Webinars and podcasts can also provide on-demand access to expert insights. In these forums, adoption professionals, psychologists, and experienced adoptive parents share their knowledge and practical advice. Technology allows sessions to be recorded, archived, and made easily accessible to anyone seeking information.
Social Media: Social media platforms, blogs, and YouTube channels can amplify adoption stories and experiences, allowing adoptive parents and potential adoptive parents to share their journeys, gain insight into the adoption process, or offer encouragement to others embarking on the same path. These digital platforms can do the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Provide information on adoption-related topics</li><li>Allow adults to share their successes and challenges</li><li>Inspire others to consider adopting children and youth</li><li>Create a sense of community where families can find help or camaraderie</li></ul>
Technology plays a crucial role in encouraging adoption and improving efficiency during the adoption process. By embracing these advancements, agencies create a safer and more reliable environment for children and families embarking on their adoption journeys.

The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its Child and Family Development Research: Fiscal Year 2023 report summarizing important

New Report Highlights Child and Family Development Research

The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released its <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/report/child-and-family-development-research-fy-2023" rel="nofollow">Child and Family Development Research: Fiscal Year 2023</a> report summarizing important research projects that seek to improve services for children and families. For child welfare professionals, several of these projects offer valuable insights to help enhance service delivery and outcomes. 
One project is the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being. This longitudinal survey, currently in its third cohort, collects data on the well-being, service needs, and outcomes of children and families involved with the child welfare system and how these outcomes relate to experiences with the system, family characteristics, community environment, and other factors. It includes reports from children, parents, caregivers, caseworkers, and teachers to help child welfare professionals better understand children&#39;s experiences in care and improve outcomes through evidence-based policy and practice.
Another project highlighted in the report is the Child Welfare Study to Enhance Equity With Data (CW-SEED). It examines how child welfare agencies use data to promote equity in service delivery and outcomes. The project explores barriers and promising practices across data collection, analysis, and reporting. It engages community partners, child welfare professionals, and policymakers to inform its findings. CW-SEED will produce a research agenda and report to guide future efforts in improving data use to address inequities in child welfare systems.
The annual report summarizes over 40 projects that focus on various topics within child welfare:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Cross-cutting early childhood research</li><li>Child care: raising quality and supporting parental employment</li><li>Head Start and Early Head Start: enhancing child development, health, and human services for families with low income</li><li>Promoting child welfare</li><li>Human trafficking: improving services for survivors</li><li>Recognizing cultural diversity and promoting equity</li></ul>
These research efforts offer data and insights that can guide improvements in practice, create more equitable services, and ultimately support better outcomes for vulnerable children and families. These initiatives can help shape more effective child welfare policies and programs by prioritizing data-driven decision-making and focusing on equity.
For more information on these and other initiatives, read the full report on the <a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/report/child-and-family-development-research-fy-2023" rel="nofollow">OPRE website</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. 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:
Children’s Bureau:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://cwoutcomes.acf.hhs.gov/cwodatasite/?utm_medium&#61;email&amp;utm_source&#61;nfcb_cwodatasite092524" rel="nofollow">Child Welfare Outcomes Data Site—Updated With 2018–2022 Data</a></li><li>Title IV-E Foster Eligibility Reviews:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/illinois-primary-title-iv-e-foster-care-eligibility-review-2024" rel="nofollow">Illinois Primary Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Review (2024)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/louisiana-primary-title-iv-e-foster-care-eligibility-review-2024" rel="nofollow">Louisiana Primary Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Review (2024)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/maryland-primary-title-iv-e-foster-care-eligibility-review-2024" rel="nofollow">Maryland Primary Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Review (2024)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/maryland-title-iv-e-foster-care-eligibility-review-report-addendum-2024" rel="nofollow">Maryland Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Review Report Addendum (2024)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/new-jersey-primary-title-iv-e-foster-care-eligibility-review-2024" rel="nofollow">New Jersey Primary Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Review (2024)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/north-dakota-primary-title-iv-e-foster-care-eligibility-review-2024" rel="nofollow">North Dakota Primary Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Review (2024)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/south-carolina-primary-title-iv-e-foster-care-eligibility-review-2024" rel="nofollow">South Carolina Primary Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Review (2024)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/vermont-primary-title-iv-e-foster-care-eligibility-review-2024" rel="nofollow">Vermont Primary Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility Review (2024)</a></li></ul>
</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/programs-expenditure-caseload-data-2023" rel="nofollow">Title IV-E Programs Expenditure and Caseload Data 2023</a></li></ul>
Administration for Children and Families:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/blog/2024/09/acf-promotes-strategies-lived-experience-grant-reviews" rel="nofollow">“ACF Promotes Strategies for Involving People with Lived Experience in Grant Reviews”</a> [The Family Room Blog]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/blog/2024/10/acf-releases-inaugural-data-strategy" rel="nofollow">“ACF Releases Inaugural Data Strategy to Improve Services for Children and Families”</a> [The Family Room Blog]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/acf-data-research/acf-data-strategy" rel="nofollow">Administration for Children &amp; Families Data Strategy</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/fact-sheet/benefits-vot" rel="nofollow">Benefits for Victims of Human Trafficking Fact Sheet</a>:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle; list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/fact-sheet/benefits-vot-chinese" rel="nofollow">Factsheet – Chinese</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/fact-sheet/benefits-vot-french" rel="nofollow">Factsheet – French</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/fact-sheet/benefits-vot-haitian-creole" rel="nofollow">Factsheet – Haitian Creole</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/fact-sheet/benefits-vot-hindi" rel="nofollow">Factsheet – Hindi</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/fact-sheet/benefits-vot-korean" rel="nofollow">Factsheet – Korean</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/fact-sheet/benefits-vot-portuguese" rel="nofollow">Factsheet – Portuguese</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/fact-sheet/benefits-vot-spanish" rel="nofollow">Factsheet – Spanish</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/fact-sheet/benefits-vot-tagalog" rel="nofollow">Factsheet – Tagalog</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/fact-sheet/benefits-vot-thai" rel="nofollow">Factsheet – Thai</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/fact-sheet/benefits-vot-vietnamese" rel="nofollow">Factsheet – Vietnamese</a></li></ul>
</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/media/press/2024/new-funds-strengthen-early-childhood" rel="nofollow">Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Funds to Strengthen Early Childhood Programs</a> [Press release]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/media/press/2024/during-national-diaper-needs-awareness-week-159-million-support-diaper" rel="nofollow">During National Diaper Needs Awareness Week, $15.9 Million in Support for the Diaper Distribution Pilot Announced</a> [Press release]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/blog/2024/09/evidence-based-recommendations-policy-and-practice" rel="nofollow">“Evidence-based Recommendations for Policy and Practice”</a> [OPRE Insights Blog]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/blog/2024/10/gen-z-refugees-share-lived-experiences-and-create-lasting-connections" rel="nofollow">“Gen Z Refugees Share their Lived Experiences and Create Lasting Connections”</a> [The Family Room Blog]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/blog/2024/10/investing-economic-mobility" rel="nofollow">“Investing in Economic Mobility”</a> [The Family Room Blog]</li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/otip/faq/otip-recipient-faqs-working-child-welfare" rel="nofollow">Office on Trafficking in Persons Recipient FAQs: Working With Child Welfare</a></li><li><a href="https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/blog/2024/09/preventing-and-addressing-intimate-partner-violence-healthy-marriage-and" rel="nofollow">“Preventing and Addressing Intimate Partner Violence in Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Programs: Spotlighting the Strategies To Respond to Intimate Violence Effectively (STRIVE) Project”</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.

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978 outlines guidance and regulations that govern child welfare practice involving American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children. It upholds the rights and cultures

New Toolkit Provides Guidance on Understanding and Applying ICWA

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978 outlines guidance and regulations that govern child welfare practice involving American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children. It upholds the rights and cultures of AI/AN families by outlining protections to keep children with their families, cultures, and tribes. To help professionals apply ICWA to their work, the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare released a new toolkit. It is designed for child welfare, substance use, legal, and health-care professionals who work with AI/AN families affected by substance use.
The ICWA Active Efforts Support Toolkit includes a <a href="https://ncsacw.acf.hhs.gov/files/ICWA-active-efforts-guide.pdf" rel="nofollow">guiding document</a>, the <a href="https://ncsacw.acf.hhs.gov/files/ICWA-active-efforts-tool.pdf" rel="nofollow">Active Efforts Support Tool</a>, and the following learning modules:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Module 1: <a href="https://youtu.be/jrq0hzfXbUo" rel="nofollow">&#34;An Introduction to the Indian Child Welfare Act and Active Efforts&#34;</a></li><li>Module 2: <a href="https://youtu.be/5_3Dzn_FDH8" rel="nofollow">&#34;An Introduction to the Five Points of Family Intervention&#34;</a></li><li>Module 3: <a href="https://youtu.be/YaoMgX1KhpE" rel="nofollow">&#34;The Role of Collaborative Partners in the Implementation of Active Efforts&#34;</a></li><li>Module 4: <a href="https://youtu.be/b8np9V0XlSU" rel="nofollow">&#34;An Introduction to the ICWA Active Efforts Support Tool&#34;</a></li></ul>
&#34;Active efforts&#34; refers to an ICWA provision requiring professionals to make affirmative, active, thorough, and timely efforts to maintain or reunite AI/AN children with their families before involuntary foster care placement or termination of parental rights. These efforts should be customized for each family and be consistent with the tribe&#39;s social and cultural conditions and way of life.
While ICWA was established in response to a traumatic history of <a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/tribal-child-welfare/" rel="nofollow">family separation</a> in AI/AN families in the United States, its principles of taking active, intentional steps to preserve families can be applied to work with many families involved with child welfare, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
Explore the <a href="https://ncsacw.acf.hhs.gov/topics/american-indian-alaska-native/ICWA-active-efforts-series/" rel="nofollow">toolkit</a> and share it with your networks to work toward improved outcomes for AI/AN families.

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

A new training tool from the Children's Bureau's Capacity Building Center for States encourages partnerships between child welfare professionals and families with lived experience in child welfare. The

Family-Agency Leadership Academy Brings Families and Professionals Together for Systems Change

A new training tool from the Children&#39;s Bureau&#39;s Capacity Building Center for States encourages partnerships between child welfare professionals and families with lived experience in child welfare. The <a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/topics/workforce-development/FALA/home" rel="nofollow">Family-Agency Leadership Academy</a> (FALA) is an online resource offering a compilation of videos, tip sheets, podcasts, toolkits, and more to support family-serving agencies and organizations in engaging parents and youth with lived experience.
Those with lived experience in child welfare have valuable insights that help transform the system for the better and improve the outcomes and well-being of other children and families. The academy offers a collection of resources that help organizations integrate this valuable expertise into policies, practices, and programs. FALA resources, available in a variety of formats, include the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/resources/fala-assessment-tool" rel="nofollow">Family-Agency Leadership Academy Assessment Tool</a></li><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/topics/workforce-development/FALA/assessment" rel="nofollow">&#34;Family Agency Leadership Academy: Creating Sustainable Change&#34;</a> [Video]</li><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/topics/workforce-development/FALA/foundational" rel="nofollow">&#34;Family-Agency Leadership Academy: Introduction to Family Engagement and Empowerment&#34;</a> [Podcast]</li><li><a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/topics/workforce-development/FALA/foundational" rel="nofollow">&#34;Family-Agency Leadership Academy: Meaningful Partnerships Between Agencies and Families&#34;</a> [Video]</li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v&#61;R4kUsEd2mE8" rel="nofollow">&#34;Family Agency Leadership Academy: Peer-to-Peer Support&#34;</a> [Video]</li></ul>
Explore FALA on the <a href="https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/states/topics/workforce-development/FALA/home" rel="nofollow">Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative website</a>.

By Mary Wichansky, director, National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services When children and families who have experienced the child welfare system address their mental health needs, they

Building Bridges to Improve Mental Health

By Mary Wichansky, director, National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services
When children and families who have experienced the child welfare system address their mental health needs, they shouldn’t face insurmountable barriers that impede their ability to achieve good outcomes. Families should be able to receive services from a workforce with the knowledge, skills, and experience to effectively meet their needs. Mental health providers must be able to understand the impact of families&#39; experiences with abuse, neglect, trauma, and loss, and their work must be culturally and linguistically responsive. Being skilled is an important part of the equation, but mental health services must also be accessible to those who need them. Positive mental health outcomes for children and families can be achieved when both child welfare and mental health systems work in partnership so a skilled workforce is available to all. We must transform our systems to better deliver what children and families need.
I’m excited to see so many people across the country showing a desire to learn more about developing a mental health workforce that is equipped to serve this population, strengthening collaboration between child welfare and mental health systems, and increasing equitable access to quality child welfare-competent mental health services. The National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services is committed to providing information and resources about evidence-informed practices and strategies you can use, upcoming learning and peer-to-peer connection opportunities, insights from our technical assistance (TA) work, and other relevant resources to support you in your work.
Whether you are looking for specific strategies and tips to use in your work or more indepth help to make transformational change, you have come to the right place! Funded through a 5-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services&#39; Children&#39;s Bureau, our National Center provides a continuum of free services and resources. These can help you increase your system&#39;s capacity to provide accessible and culturally competent mental health services to youth and families who have been involved in the child welfare system through stronger, sustained collaboration between child welfare and mental health systems.
Our National Center&#39;s approaches leverage deep expertise and experience and strong relationships with all of <a href="https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/about-us/partners/" rel="nofollow">our partnering organizations</a>, modeling the collaboration between child welfare and mental health leaders and a commitment to racial equity and youth and family voices that we know are essential to moving this work forward.
We are excited to support states, tribes, and territories in multiple ways, such as providing expertise and evidence-informed training and universal TA services, facilitating active engagement in our <a href="https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/hub/" rel="nofollow">Knowledge Hub</a> to share best practices in child welfare and mental health, and delivering <a href="https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/technical-assistance/intensive-technical-assistance/" rel="nofollow">intensive and tailored onsite TA</a>. I invite you to explore our website to access great information and find out more about how we can help you in your work. Please feel free to contact us to discuss how we can partner with you.

Youth who are involved with child welfare, juvenile justice, and related systems may not receive the same support as their peers in pursuing education and career opportunities. The national Learn and Earn

Evaluation of National Initiative to Improve Educational and Work Outcomes for Systems-Involved Young People

Youth who are involved with child welfare, juvenile justice, and related systems may not receive the same support as their peers in pursuing education and career opportunities. The national Learn and Earn to Achieve Potential (LEAP) initiative from the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF) works to provide that support for youth and young adults ages 14 to 25 who have experienced foster care, the juvenile justice system, or homelessness by building and expanding pathways to education and employment.
AECF published <a href="https://assets.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/equalmeasure-aholisticapproach-2024.pdf" rel="nofollow">an evaluation of the initiative</a> in June 2024. The evaluation was conducted in partnership with <a href="https://www.equalmeasure.org/" rel="nofollow">Equal Measure</a> and is based on surveys from leaders at six LEAP partnerships and interviews with five LEAP national partners. The partnerships include family-serving organizations such as Covenant House Alaska, a service provider for youth who have run away or are experiencing homelessness in Alaska, and the Coalition for Responsible Community Development, a Los Angeles-based corporation that provides workforce development programming and housing for young people. The LEAP national partners are organizations that provide technical assistance and expertise to the LEAP partnerships.
The evaluation outlines the six strategies for systems change that LEAP partnerships are implementing:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Taking a holistic approach</li><li>Supporting youth leadership</li><li>Partnering across public and other systems</li><li>Advocating and implementing policy change</li><li>Sharing learnings</li><li>Scaling</li></ul>
According to the evaluation, the primary strategy being implemented is taking a holistic approach. LEAP partners embrace this approach by considering the whole person and their surroundings, including root causes of disconnection and societal barriers to education and career pathways. The evaluation outlines the following three concrete examples of holistic approaches by LEAP partnerships:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Creating &#34;one-stop shops&#34; where young people can access multiple services</li><li>Providing one-to-one case management, mentoring, and navigation for youth involved with multiple systems</li><li>Providing or connecting youth with concrete supports including food, clothing, health services, and housing</li></ul>
Cross-sector partnerships are an important element of a holistic approach, as one organization may be able to provide services or supports that another is not able to provide. Another important aspect of a holistic approach is youth engagement—specifically, listening to young people and supporting youth leadership. This places youths&#39; voices at the forefront of efforts to improve education and career access at the individual level, as well as the policy and program improvement level. 
Explore the report, <a href="https://www.aecf.org/resources/centering-a-holistic-approach-for-systems-involved-young-people" rel="nofollow">Centering a Holistic Approach to Expand Education and Employment Pathways for Systems-Involved Young People</a>, for more information about how the LEAP initiative is holistically supporting youth.

A research brief from Child Trends explores how the racial and ethnic identities of adolescents and young adults may shift over time. Foster Care and the Development of Racial and Ethnic Identity delves

Exploring Shifts in Young People's Racial and Ethnic Identities

A research brief from Child Trends explores how the racial and ethnic identities of adolescents and young adults may shift over time. <a href="https://www.childtrends.org/publications/foster-care-development-racial-ethnic-identity" rel="nofollow">Foster Care and the Development of Racial and Ethnic Identity</a> delves into the experiences of young people in foster care whose racial and ethnic identities changed at some point in time. It also presents research on racial and ethnic identity development and factors that influence identity development. 
The brief begins by acknowledging that adolescent years are formative for a young person&#39;s identity development. Several factors can influence one&#39;s racial and cultural identity, including racial socialization—the process of receiving and internalizing messages about racial identity and heritage. Youth in foster care may have unique or complicated experiences developing their racial and ethnic identity because of their child welfare system involvement. They may live in foster or adoptive homes with caregivers of different races and ethnicities, they may be unaware of their heritage or learn about it at an older age, and they may not spend time with those who share their racial and ethnic background.
Recognizing the unique factors that influence the racial and ethnic identity development of youth in foster care, researchers interviewed 29 young people who experienced foster care and a racial or ethnic identity change. These include changes from monoracial to biracial, from biracial to monoracial, from monoracial to a more specific identity (for example, from broadly Hispanic or Latino to Mexican American), and more. Interviewees reported the following four influences for their racial and ethnic identity changes:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>The child welfare system (79 percent)</li><li>Family (45 percent)</li><li>School (45 percent)</li><li>Employment practices (21 percent)</li></ul>
The most frequently reported reasons for the change include the following:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>They were responding to existing societal biases (48 percent).</li><li>They had learned new information about their family of origin (38 percent).</li><li>They had experienced a stronger sense of identity with a particular racial and ethnic group (24 percent).</li></ul>
The young people shared how the child welfare system, including their placements and caseworkers, played a role in their identity development and sense of belonging. They were also asked to share their experiences after choosing to shift their racial or ethnic identity, which many acknowledged they were still processing.
The brief concludes with practice and research implications, including how both practitioners and researchers can better apply an equity lens to their work and recognize that racial and ethnic identities can be fluid, especially among youth who might have limited knowledge of their heritage.
For more information, including quotes from the study participants, explore the brief on the <a href="https://www.childtrends.org/publications/foster-care-development-racial-ethnic-identity" rel="nofollow">Child Trends website</a>.

Much of the existing research on parenting benefits, challenges, and demographics is focused on cisgender, heterosexual parents. A new report expands this research by compiling data from various sources

Sociodemographic Characteristics of LGBTQ Parents in the United States

Much of the existing research on parenting benefits, challenges, and demographics is focused on cisgender, heterosexual parents. A new report expands this research by compiling data from various sources to provide a sociodemographic portrait of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer&#43; (LGBTQ) parents in the United States.
In the report, <a href="https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/LGBTQ-Parenting-Jul-2024.pdf" rel="nofollow">LGBTQ Parenting in the US</a>, the term &#34;parent&#34; includes any biological, adoptive, or foster parent or stepparent of a child younger than age 18 who is living in the same household. The report includes data on demographics, marriage and relationship status, economics, and family formation and stressors. The following are some of the main findings:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>18 percent of LGBTQ adults are parenting children.</li><li>35 percent of married LGBTQ adults are parenting children.</li><li>75 percent of LGBTQ parents are cisgender bisexual women (61 percent) and lesbian women (14 percent).</li><li>Approximately 5 million children are being raised by LGBTQ adults.</li><li>Regardless of age, LGBTQ adults are less likely to be parenting than non-LGBTQ adults.</li><li>LGBTQ parents are more likely to be living in poverty than LGBTQ non-parents and straight cisgender parents.</li><li>78 percent of LGBTQ parents became parents through current or previous sexual relationships, 20 percent as stepparents, and 6 percent through adoption.</li><li>Approximately 30 percent of LGBTQ parents are not legally recognized or are unsure of their legal status as parents.</li></ul>
A discussion of the findings highlights policy implications. Lower rates of parenting among LGBTQ adults compared to non-LGBTQ adults may be a result of a lack of access to opportunities and resources to become parents. This suggests there is a need to address barriers to accessing reproductive technology and adoption services. Economic instability points to the need for policies and services that address economic inequities. There is also a need to recognize parental rights among LGBTQ parents, especially for those in same-sex couples who are not biologically related to their children.
Explore the full report for more information about the demographics and characteristics of LGBTQ parents as well as policy and research implications.

Organizations with healthy relational cultures promote relationship-building with young people so they have the nurturing, support, and guidance they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Relational cultures

Tool Assesses Relational Culture in Organizations

Organizations with healthy relational cultures promote relationship-building with young people so they have the nurturing, support, and guidance they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Relational cultures are embedded in the core mindsets, skills, practices, and supporting structures present at all levels of an organization. Relationship-rich organizations are intentional about building relationships, inclusive of all youth, and equitable in meeting youths&#39; needs.
Search Institute&#39;s <a href="https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/relational-culture-check-up" rel="nofollow">Relational Culture Checkup</a> is a self-reflection tool designed to help leaders and staff assess the relational culture of their organization. Based on Search Institute&#39;s <a href="https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/the-rooted-in-relationships-model" rel="nofollow">Rooted in Relationships Model</a>, the tool guides users through two components of relational culture:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Relational climate: the social atmosphere of a particular setting, including its intentionality, inclusiveness, and equitability</li><li>Supporting structures: the infrastructure and tangible inputs required to prioritize developmental relationships, including data use, resource allocation, and hiring practices</li></ul>
The online tool can be completed by individuals or groups. <a href="https://d2pck61xhq74q6.cloudfront.net/Search-Institute_Relational-Culture-Checkup_Group-Guide.pdf" rel="nofollow">Relational Culture Checkup: A Group Guide</a> provides considerations and directions for those who choose to take the assessment as a group. It outlines the roles of group members, an agenda, and conversation questions to facilitate the process.  
Note that the check-up was designed as a tool for self-reflection and conversation, not compliance, rating, or performance.
Related item: More information about the benefits of developmental relationships with supportive adults is available in the CBX article <a href="https://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/article/2024/july-august/examining-the-importance-of-developmental-relationships-for-young-people/cd976335872ec650978775d9cebb35f3" rel="nofollow">&#34;Examining the Importance of Developmental Relationships for Young People.&#34;</a>

Youth in foster care who are expecting or parenting face the compounded challenges of navigating foster care while also navigating a pregnancy or parenthood. Caseworkers and other professionals who support

Strategies to Support Pregnant and Parenting Youth in Foster Care

Youth in foster care who are expecting or parenting face the compounded challenges of navigating foster care while also navigating a pregnancy or parenthood. Caseworkers and other professionals who support these youth must be prepared to meet their complex needs. A new brief from Casey Family Programs, <a href="https://www.casey.org/pregnant-parenting-strategies/" rel="nofollow">What Strategies Support Pregnant and Parenting Teens in Foster Care?</a>, explores how to best support this population.  
The challenges that pregnant and parenting teens in foster care face include lower educational attainment, mental health challenges, unemployment, homelessness, multiple placements, trauma, and limited knowledge of parenting skills and child development. They may also experience barriers to receiving effective and equitable services due to insufficient data, insufficient sex education, stigmas and stereotypes, and limited placement options. Youth engagement and equal partnership are important steps to overcoming these nuanced challenges and barriers. The brief addresses some off the things caseworkers and professionals should consider when working with expectant and parenting teens:
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li>Support their dual realities by addressing their needs as young people while respecting them as parents and emerging adults.</li><li>Recognize their diverse identities and discern potential strengths and barriers resulting from intersecting identities, including race, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical and mental abilities, and immigration status.</li><li>Center young people&#39;s voices and choices related to parenting, placements, and needed supports.</li><li>Ensure youth understand their parental rights.</li><li>Improve two-generational outcomes.</li><li>Provide unbiased guidance and support.</li></ul>
The brief provides information about what makes an effective program for teen parents and their children, such as focusing on healthy development for both the teen parent and the child and promoting strong parent-child relationships. It also offers examples of programs that achieve these goals, such as the <a href="https://flocritco.org/" rel="nofollow">Florence Crittenton Services</a> resource center in Denver, CO, and <a href="https://stannes.org/" rel="nofollow">St. Anne’s Family Services</a> in Los Angeles, CA. 
For more information on expectant and parenting youth in foster care, explore Child Welfare Information Gateway&#39;s bulletin for professionals <a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/improving-services-expectant-and-parenting-youth-care/" rel="nofollow">Improving Services for Expectant and Parenting Youth in Care</a> and factsheet for families <a href="https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/expecting-and-parenting-care-tips-youth/" rel="nofollow">Expecting and Parenting in Care: Tips for Youth</a>—both also available in Spanish.

A recent article featured on the AdoptUSKids Blog discusses the benefits of bibliotherapy—the use of books and reading as medicine. The author presents insights from staff at the Oregon Post Adoption Resource

A recent <a href="https://blog.adoptuskids.org/reading-as-healing-how-bibliotherapy-can-benefit-families/" rel="nofollow">article</a> featured on the AdoptUSKids Blog discusses the benefits of bibliotherapy—the use of books and reading as medicine. The author presents insights from staff at the Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center library who have witnessed first-hand the healing power of books among children, youth, and families, especially those touched by foster care and adoption.
Books can create opportunities for comfort, healing, and understanding, particularly when they represent the varied life experiences and needs of their readers. For example, parents and caregivers can use stories and their descriptive language and imagery to help articulate difficult and/or complex topics, like trauma and attachment, to children.
The article emphasizes the therapeutic value of books that elevate lived experience, diverse perspectives and identities, and cultural connectedness. Visit the AdoptUSKids <a href="https://blog.adoptuskids.org/reading-as-healing-how-bibliotherapy-can-benefit-families/" rel="nofollow">website</a> to learn more and view a list of recommended reading for younger children, older youth, and families who have experienced child welfare system involvement.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently updated its webpage What You Can Do to Protect Children from Environmental Risks. The information, intended for parents and all individuals who care

Protecting Children From Environmental Risks

<div>
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently updated its webpage What You Can Do to Protect Children from Environmental Risks. The information, intended for parents and all individuals who care for children, is provided in short, bulleted lists of digestible tips and guidance and spans a variety of topics such as air quality, biting insects, noise pollution, pesticides and chemicals, storms and floods, sun and heat exposure, and more. Supplemental resources are hyperlinked throughout. Learn about keeping children and families safe in their environments on the EPA <a href="https://www.epa.gov/children/what-you-can-do-protect-children-environmental-risks" rel="nofollow">website</a>.
</div>

A recent webinar from the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) within the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University presents a discussion of capstone projects from its certificate program

Creating an Inclusive Organizational Culture to Support LGBTQ+ Youth

A recent <a href="https://cjjr.georgetown.edu/certificate-programs/supporting-lgbtq-youth/not-just-for-show-webinar/" rel="nofollow">webinar</a> from the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) within the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University presents a discussion of capstone projects from its certificate program for supporting youth who are LGBTQ&#43; (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or other gender or sexual identity). The projects focused on creating inclusive cultures for LGBTQ&#43; youth in their home communities. LGBTQ&#43; children and youth face a lot of unique challenges—for example, they are more likely to be bullied or rejected by others, including their own family, which can lead to higher rates of running away and truancy. They also often receive more severe punishments at school and in secure facilities or are held in secure detention for relatively minor offenses. It is essential to create a safe, affirming, and inclusive environment for these youth.
Panelists discussed the experiences, challenges, and lessons learned from justice agencies and community organizations that have created supportive environments for LGBTQ&#43; youth. One featured project focused on reducing homelessness rates for LGBTQ&#43; young adults by reuniting them with their families. Faith-based communities were a core partnership with the program, and training and understanding conversations with church leaders coupled with youth-driven listening sessions were an important step in creating buy-in and affirming environments.
The other featured project worked at a systemic level to create a more understanding environment that considered the holistic identities of youth to better meet their needs. Panelists discussed strategies for identifying and engaging the right partners at different levels to create a well-represented team, their two-tier approach to training, and the importance of valuing and involving the voices of those with lived experience.
Panelists addressed how they created spaces in which people felt comfortable hearing new ideas and approaches—even if they were initially hesitant about new strategies or engaging with youth about their LGBTQ&#43; identities. Strategies included working with a community advocate, giving people the space to understand and process without being pushed, and providing data that concretely shows the problem.
They also discussed details about what the trainings look like, how trainings were rolled out, and advice for jurisdictions, organizations, and communities looking to engage and do similar work. Watch the webinar for free on the <a href="https://cjjr.georgetown.edu/certificate-programs/supporting-lgbtq-youth/not-just-for-show-webinar/" rel="nofollow">CJJR website</a>.

Upcoming conferences and events on child welfare and adoption include the following: November 2024 Together We Can Conference Together We Can Coalition Members Lafayette, LA, November 6–8 National Association

Upcoming conferences and events on child welfare and adoption include the following:
November
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://latwc.org/index.html" rel="nofollow">2024 Together We Can Conference</a> Together We Can Coalition Members Lafayette, LA, November 6–8 </li><li><a href="https://www.naeyc.org/events/annual" rel="nofollow">National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Annual Conference</a> NAEYC Anaheim, CA, November 6–9 </li><li><a href="https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CkFVwSItQiK4Du3DAxF1kw#/registration" rel="nofollow">&#34;Bringing Your Diligent Recruitment Plan to Life: Developing a Meaningful Implementation Plan&#34;</a> National Center for Diligent Recruitment Virtual, November 7 </li><li><a href="https://cffutures.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IEy3ZOtoTqiXj7bjeWTm9A#/registration" rel="nofollow">&#34;Equipping Systems to Support American Indian and Alaska Native Families Affected by Substance Use&#34;</a> National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare Virtual, November 7 </li><li><a href="https://www.cffutures.org/ftc-practice-academy/sustained-recovery/" rel="nofollow">&#34;Sustained Recovery: Don’t Make Aftercare an Afterthought&#34;</a> Children and Family Futures Virtual, November 12 </li><li><a href="https://americanbar.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_w0abZiM1ThC84-VskWxIPQ#/registration" rel="nofollow">&#34;Understanding Judges’ Reasonable Efforts Decisions: Findings from the Reasonable Efforts Findings Study&#34;</a> James Bell Associates Virtual, November 13 </li><li><a href="https://naehcy.org/conference/2024-conference/" rel="nofollow">36th Annual National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) Conference</a> NAEHCY Orlando, FL, November 16–19 </li><li><a href="https://conference.familieslearning.org/" rel="nofollow">2024 Families Learning Conference</a> National Center for Families Learning November 18–20 </li><li><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Jow4R1GyRyG65dh9Lu9qCQ#/registration" rel="nofollow">&#34;Addressing the Complex Mental Health Needs of Children in Child Welfare&#34;</a> National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services Virtual, November 19 </li><li><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l-hrHlk8SG2Kcv4IR7QERw#/registration" rel="nofollow">&#34;It’s All About Relationships: Developing a System of Care for Families and Children Affected by Perinatal Substance Use&#34;</a> James Bell Associates Virtual, November 20 </li><li><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fostering-progress-crafting-spaces-that-center-youth-voice-feedback-registration-1042214731317?aff&#61;oddtdtcreator" rel="nofollow">&#34;Youth-Driven Design: Crafting Community Spaces that Center Youth Voice &amp; Feedback&#34;</a> Silver Lining Mentoring Virtual, November 22</li></ul>
December
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://www.schoolmentalhealth.org/annual-conference/" rel="nofollow">2024 Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health</a> National Center for School Mental Health Orlando, FL, December 5 </li><li><a href="https://adoptioncouncil.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eXgx81vnQOS8sgo-DX3Zcw#/registration" rel="nofollow">&#34;Completing and Preserving Adoptions for Children With Challenging Behaviors: Diving Deeper&#34;</a> National Council for Adoption and the Dave Thomas Foundation Virtual, December 5 </li><li><a href="https://web.cvent.com/event/27219b70-4ffc-4fd0-b5a7-81a2b206a908/summary" rel="nofollow">18th National Indian Nations Conference</a> Office for Victims of Crime Palm Springs, CA, December 10–13 </li><li><a href="https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/webinars/" rel="nofollow">&#34;Engaging Families in Child Welfare and Mental Health Services&#34;</a> National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services Virtual, December 17</li></ul>
January
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;" type="disc"><li><a href="https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/webinars/" rel="nofollow">&#34;Strategies for Engaging Lived Experience&#34;</a> National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services Virtual, January 21</li></ul>
February
<ul style="list-style-position: inside;"><li><a href="https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/webinars/" rel="nofollow">&#34;The Mental Health Needs of Children and Youth of Color&#34;</a> National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services Virtual, February 18</li></ul>

November 2024Vol. 25, No. 9Family-Agency Leadership Academy Brings Families and Professionals Together for Systems Change