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Home > Systemwide > Service Improvement/Systems Reform > Child Welfare Reform > Foster Care and Adoption Reform
Foster Care and Adoption Reform
Resources and information about reform efforts focused on foster care, adoption from foster care, or both. Resources include State and local examples.
Adopting Reform: The Need for Change in America's Family Court and Foster-Care System and a Survey of Reform Efforts
Bandow (2001)
Examines problems in the foster care and family court systems and proposals for reform.
Adoption Excellence Awards
Children's Bureau, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Recipients and nomination guidelines for the Adoption Excellence Awards, which recognize excellence in achieving the goals of safety, permanency, and well-being for children in out-of-home care.
Adoption Incentive Awards for FY 2007
Children's Bureau
Lists States that received Adoption Incentive Awards for the Fiscal Year 2006 earning period. Adoption Incentive Awards are given to States that were successful in increasing the number of adoptions from the public child welfare system above a baseline number of adoptions - particularly children over age 9 or children with special needs (as defined by the State). For more information on adoption incentives see http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/laws_policies/policy/im/2004/im0404.htm.
Children, Families, and Foster Care: Issues and Ideas. A Guide for Policymakers and the Press (PDF - 1900 KB)
Baron, Bass, Shields, & Martin-Mollard (Eds.)
Future of Children, 2004
Proposes three reforms within the foster care system: regular assessment of the status of foster children, service integration, and customized case planning.
Children, Families, and Foster Care: A Synopsis (PDF - 1400 KB)
Bass, Shields, Lowe-Webb, & Lanz (2004)
Summarizes articles highlighting key issues for foster care policy, including safety and stability, family reunification, adoption and guardianship, kinship care, and services for older children.
Family to Family
Annie E. Casey Foundation
A foster care reform initiative. Includes principles, strategies, and tools to strengthen the network of families available to care for maltreated children in their own communities; build partnerships with at-risk neighborhoods; and track outcomes for children and families.
Fostering the Future: Safety, Permanence, and Well-Being for Children in Foster Care (PDF - 263 KB)
The Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care (2004)
Findings from a comprehensive assessment of two key aspects of the foster care system, the Federal financing structure and the court system, with recommendations for reform.
A Market Alternative to Child Adoption and Foster Care (PDF - 50 KB)
Blackstone & Hakim
Cato Journal, 22(3), 2003
Examines the success of privatization initiatives implemented in Kansas and Michigan to improve foster care and adoption services.
The Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care
An independent, nonpartisan entity dedicated to developing effective, practical policy recommendations to improve the foster care system.
Restructuring the Federal Child Welfare System: Assuring the Safety, Permanence and Well-Being of Infants and Toddlers in the Child Welfare System (PDF - 265 KB)
Zero to Three (2005)
Recommendations for early interventions for young foster children to counteract the effects of maltreatment and promote positive growth.
States at Work: Implementing the Adoption and Safe Families Act: Part III
American Public Human Services Association (2000)
View Abstract
How States are implementing ASFA, focusing on efforts to improve outcomes for children who are in foster care.
Strengthening Families and Communities: An Approach to Post-adoption Services: A White Paper (PDF - 537 KB)
Casey Family Services (2002)
Addresses the critical need for policy and practice aimed at achieving and sustaining stability and permanence for children through adoption.
Through the Eyes of the Child: Lessons Learned by the Project Directors of the Families for Kids Initiative (PDF - 662 KB)
Families for Kids (2001)
Shares lessons learned during the Families for Kids Initiative, a program providing 11 communities with grants to explore how to reform the child welfare system to focus on permanency.
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State and local examples
Building a Future for Washington's Children: Foster Care Improvement Plan (PDF - 217 KB)
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services & Casey Family Programs (2001)
Outlines an improvement plan for foster care in Washington State.
Forgotten Children: A Special Report on the Texas Foster Care System
Texas Comptroller (2004)
Details the results of an investigation conducted by the Texas Comptroller into the quality of the State's foster care system.
Pivot Point: Managing the Transformation of Child Welfare in NYC (PDF - 555 KB)
Center for an Urban Future & Milano Graduate School Center for New York City Affairs (2004)
Discusses the transformation of the foster care system in New York City.
Protecting Children and Strengthening Families: A Plan to Realign New York City's Child Welfare System
New York City Administration for Children's Services (2005)
View Abstract
Presents the New York City Administration for Children's Services' plan for realigning the foster care system by looking at capacity and census figures for 18 months.
Turning a Vision Into Reality: What it Takes to Improve a Child Welfare System. Lessons Learned by Massachusetts Department of Social Services and Casey Family Programs, 1999-2002
Edgar (2003)
View Abstract
Describes the work of a team in Massachusetts charged with making recommendations for State child welfare reform, particularly in the area of foster care.
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