Browse by Title

This chapter contains detailed information about each of the protective factors and tips for infusing them into programs and direct practice with families and children.
Este capítulo contiene información detallada sobre cada uno de los factores de protección y consejos para incorporarlos en programas y en la práctica directa con familias y niños.

This chapter contains detailed information about each of the protective factors and tips for infusing them into programs and direct practice with families and children. Este capítulo contiene información detallada sobre cada uno de los factores de protección y consejos para incorporarlos en programas y en la práctica directa con familias y niños.

This chapter contains detailed information about each of the protective factors and tips for infusing them into programs and direct practice with families and children.
Este capítulo contiene información detallada sobre cada uno de los factores de protección y consejos para incorporarlos en programas y en la práctica directa con familias y niños.

This chapter contains detailed information about each of the protective factors and tips for infusing them into programs and direct practice with families and children. Este capítulo contiene información detallada sobre cada uno de los factores de protección y consejos para incorporarlos en programas y en la práctica directa con familias y niños.

This chapter contains detailed information about each of the protective factors and tips for infusing them into programs and direct practice with families and children. Este capítulo contiene información detallada sobre cada uno de los factores de protección y consejos para incorporarlos en programas y en la práctica directa con familias y niños.

Presents a review of statutes and administrative codes related to how States address the issue of case planning for children and families that are receiving child welfare services. States generally require a case plan when a child is placed in out-of-home care or when a child and his or her family are receiving any kind of in-home services to prevent placement. Topics covered include requirements for when a case plan is needed, participants in the case-planning process, and the types of information that must be included in a plan. Laws for all States and territories are included.

Aims to build the knowledge base about caseload and workload issues and help State child welfare managers, administrators, and others learn how they can improve caseload and workload situations in their agencies. Large caseloads and excessive workloads in many jurisdictions can make it difficult for child welfare caseworkers to serve families effectively, and reducing and managing caseloads and workloads are not simple tasks for child welfare administrators. Nevertheless, agencies are addressing these challenges and successfully implementing a variety of strategies to make caseloads and workloads more manageable.

This study compared the findings of previous research about the incidence of child maltreatment in American Indian and Alaska Native families and analyzed data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) for this population. The research review revealed significant differences in findings because of problems with definitions and data collection methods. However, most of the previous studies documented a high incidence of neglect, violence, alcohol abuse, and foster care in American Indian and Alaska Native children. Positive trends include a decrease in adoption rates and lower rates of sexual and physical abuse. The secondary analysis of NCANDS data examined data for individual children rather than incidents of abuse. Findings indicated that American Indian and Alaska Native children were more likely than White children to be counted for more than one incident of maltreatment. Significant differences also were found between non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native children and Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native children on measures of sexual abuse and domestic violence. Maltreatment rates for Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native children were similar to Hispanic white children. This suggests a need to control for Hispanic ethnicity when analyzing data about child maltreatment. Data collection can be improved by involving Indian nations in the design of a comprehensive system that can be used to make policy decisions. 60 references, 7 figures, and 10 tables.

Presents statistics and information on child fatalities due to abuse and neglect in the United States during Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2016 as compiled and reported in Child Maltreatment 2016. This summary of national and State data includes information on fatalities due to abuse and neglect, child and perpetrator characteristics, and communities' responses to child fatalities.

This directory lists and briefly describes organizations that provide direct services and consultation for the prevention of child maltreatment. The groups conduct research and offer professional training, advocacy, technical assistance, and support to families, service providers, and policymakers. Contact information is provided, including e-mail and Web addresses when available.

This study examined the methods used by states to collect data about child abuse and neglect within the Native American population to determine the accuracy of national statistics. Interviews were conducted with representatives from 57 tribes and officials from 21 states about investigation procedures and the maintenance of statistics at the tribal and state level. An analysis of the interviews revealed that only a portion of child abuse and neglect cases in the American Indian community are recorded by the state. About one-fourth of Indian child abuse and neglect cases are investigated by the tribe only. Other cases are investigated by a combination of agencies including the tribe (65 percent); states (42 percent); counties (19 percent); Bureau of Indian Affairs (19 percent); and a consortium (9 percent). States and counties only report the cases in which they have been involved, which suggests that a maximum of 61 percent of all cases are tracked in the data collection system. Fewer than 20 percent of tribes have an automated record keeping system and only 3.5 percent forward reports to a national database, such as the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System. The tribes lack the technical and financial resources to develop a database of child abuse statistics and so must rely on the states and counties to report their information. The author recommends greater coordination in the collection of data and more support for tribes to establish their own recordkeeping systems. 43 references, 4 figures, 3 tables.

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2004. See a list of all Child Maltreatment Reports. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. Nationwide, approximately two-thirds of referrals received were accepted for investigation or assessment. Fifty-eight percent of the investigated cases were later classified as unsubstantiated. The maltreatment rate was 11.9 per 1,000 children in 2004. 64.5% of the children were neglected, 17.5% were physically abused, 9.7% were sexually abused, and 7% were emotionally maltreated. A nationally estimated 1,490 child deaths were related to abuse or neglect. Numerous tables and figures.

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2006. See a list of all Child Maltreatment Reports. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. During FFY 2006, an estimated 905,000 children in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. The rate and number of children who were victims of child abuse or neglect is lower for FFY 2006 than it was five years ago. During 2002, children were abused or neglected at a rate of 12.3 per thousand children in the population resulting in an estimated 910,000 victims; for 2006, the rate was 12.1, resulting in an estimated 905,000 victims. The rate and number of all children who received an investigation or assessment increased since 2002. For 2002, the rate was 43.8 children per thousand in the population, resulting in an estimated 3,240,000 children who received an investigation or assessment; for 2006, the rate was 47.8 resulting in an estimated 3,573,000 children. Nationally, 64.1 percent of child victims experienced neglect, 16.0 percent were physically abused, 8.8 percent were sexually abused, and 6.6 percent were emotionally or psychologically maltreated. Rates of victimization by maltreatment type have fluctuated only slightly during the past several years. For FFY 2006, a nationally estimated 1,530 children died of abuse or neglect -- a rate of 2.04 children per 100,000 in the national population, which is more than the rate of 1.96 children per 100,000 in the national population for FFY 2005. Numerous tables and figures.

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2007. See a list of all Child Maltreatment Reports. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. During FFY 2007, an estimated 794,000 children in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. Nationally, 59.0 percent of victims experienced neglect, 10.8 percent were physically abused, 7.6 percent were sexually abused, 4.2 percent were psychologically maltreated, less than 1 percent were medically neglected, and 13.1 percent were victims of multiple maltreatments. For FFY 2007, an estimated 1,760 children died due tochild abuse or neglect -- a rate of 2.35 children per 100,000 in the national population. Numerous tables and figures.

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2008. See a list of all Child Maltreatment Reports. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. During FFY 2008, an estimated 772,000 children in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. Nationally, 71.1 percent of victims experienced neglect, 16.1 percent were physically abused, 9.1 percent were sexually abused, 7.3 percent were psychologically maltreated, and 2.2 percent were medically neglected. For FFY 2008, an estimated 1,740 children died due tochild abuse or neglect -- a rate of 2.33 children per 100,000 in the national population. Numerous tables and figures.

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2009. See a list of all Child Maltreatment Reports. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. During FFY 2009, an estimated 510,675 children in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. Nationally, 78.3 percent of victims experienced neglect, 17.8 percent were physically abused, 9.5 percent were sexually abused, and 7.6 percent were psychologically maltreated. For FFY 2009, an estimated 1,770 children died due to child abuse or neglect -- a rate of 2.34 children per 100,000 in the national population. Numerous tables and figures.

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2010. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. During FFY 2010, an estimated 695,000 children in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. Nationally, 78.3 percent of victims experienced neglect, 17.6 percent were physically abused, and 9.2 percent were sexually abused. For FFY 2010, an estimated 1,560 children died due to child abuse or neglect -- a rate of 2.07 children per 100,000 in the national population. Numerous tables and figures.

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2011. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. During FFY 2011, 51 States reported (unique count) 676,569 victims of child abuse and neglect. Nationally, 78.5 percent of victims experienced neglect, 17.6 percent were physically abused, and 9.1 percent were sexually abused. For FFY 2011, an estimated 1,545 children died due to child abuse or neglect -- a rate of 2.10 children per 100,000 in the national population. Numerous tables and figures.

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2012. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. During FFY 2012, an estimated 686,000 children in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. Nationally, 78.3 percent of victims experienced neglect, 18.3 percent were physically abused, and 9.3 percent were sexually abused. For FFY 2010, an estimated 1,593 children died due to child abuse or neglect -- a rate of 2.20 children per 100,000 in the national population. Numerous tables and figures.

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2013. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. During FFY 2013, an estimated 679,000 children in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. Nationally, 79.5 percent of victims experienced neglect and 18.0 percent were physically abused. For FFY 2013, an estimated 1,520 children died due to child abuse or neglect -- a rate of 2.04 children per 100,000 in the national population. Numerous tables and figures.

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2014. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. During FFY 2014, an estimated 702,000 children in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. Nationally, 75.0 percent of victims experienced neglect and 17.0 percent were physically abused. For FFY 2014, an estimated 1,546 children died due to child abuse or neglect -- a rate of 2.13 children per 100,000 in the national population. Numerous tables and figures.

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2015. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. During FFY 2015, an estimated 683,000 children in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. Nationally, 75.3 percent of victims experienced neglect and 17.2 percent were physically abused. For FFY 2015, an estimated 1,670 children died due to child abuse or neglect -- a rate of 2.25 children per 100,000 in the national population. Numerous tables and figures.

This report summarizes child abuse statistics submitted by states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) during 2016. The data are presented in aggregate and by state, and trends are reported when available. Topics include sources of reports; time for response; victimization rates; types of maltreatment; age, race and gender of victims; age and gender of perpetrators; relationship of perpetrators to the victim; number of child fatalities; types of services provided; and additional research related to child maltreatment. During FFY 2016, an estimated 676,000 children in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect. Nationally, 74.8 percent of victims experienced neglect and 18.2 percent were physically abused. For FFY 2016, an estimated 1,750 children died due to child abuse or neglect -- a rate of 2.36 children per 100,000 in the national population. Numerous tables and figures.

Presents summarized information from Child Maltreatment 2016, a report based on data submissions by State child protective services agencies for Federal fiscal year 2016. Statistics include the number of allegations of mistreatment, the number and outcomes of investigations, characteristics of victims and perpetrators, fatalities, and services.

Key findings in the new Child Maltreatment report show the following:
The number of children who received a child protective services investigation or alternative response increased 10% from 2013 (3,184,000) to 2017 (3,501,000).
The number and rate of victims fluctuated during the past 5 years. The national rounded number of victims increased 2.7% from 2013 (656,000) to 2017 (674,000).
The percentage of child abuse and neglect victims with the caregiver alcohol misuse risk factor increased from 10.6% to 12.1% from 2015-2017. The percentage of victims with the drug abuse caregiver risk factor increased from 27.1% to 30.8% from 2015-2017.
Child Maltreatment 2017 includes information on reports made to child protective services (CPS) agencies, the demographics of the children involved, the types of maltreatment, CPS responses, the number of fatalities, child and caregiver risk factors, perpetrators of abuse and neglect, and available services.

Discusses the importance of prevention as a critical component of the nation’s child protection system and examines the history of child abuse prevention, the scope of the problem today, ways in which quality programs are identified and implemented, promising prevention strategies, and issues for future prevention efforts. It outlines programs and strategies that are proving beneficial in reducing the likelihood of child maltreatment, such as public awareness efforts, parent education, home visitation, and community prevention efforts.

In 1996 and 1997, the Children's Bureau funded 10 demonstration projects to address the prevention, intervention, and treatment needs of neglected children and their families. These projects implemented and evaluated a wide variety of service strategies with large numbers of children and families. Programs varied considerably in terms of theoretical model (psychosocial or ecological), target population, location (in-home or out-of-home), duration, and intensity. This publication provides an overview of services and outcomes, common challenges and successful strategies, and lessons learned for the 10 projects. Specific project and contact information is provided in the appendix for readers interested in learning more about individual projects.

This report presents a broad overview of issues related to child neglect in the United States. The report examines aspects of child neglect that can help people better understand its causes and effects, and provides information that can be used to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies. The report is divided into 7 main chapters that discuss the different definitions, causes, and effects of neglect; the incidence and prevalence of neglect; assessment, intervention, and prevention strategies and techniques that can be used by Child Protective Services and other agencies to treat and prevent neglect; and the implications for public policy that neglect, and the prevention of neglect, have on the development, provision, funding, and implementation of social programs and services.

Child protective services (CPS), a division within state and local social service agencies, is at the center of every communities' child protection efforts. In most jurisdictions, CPS is the agency mandated by law to conduct an initial assessment or investigation of reports of child abuse or neglect. CPS does not work alone. Many community professionals -- including law enforcement officers, health care providers, mental health professionals, educators, legal and court system personnel, and substitute care providers -- are involved in efforts to prevent, identify, investigate and treat child abuse and neglect. In addition, community and faith-based organizations, substance abuse treatment facilities, advocates for victims of domestic violence, extended family members, and concerned citizens play important roles in supporting families and in keeping children safe from harm. Typically, CPS is the lead agency in coordinating the efforts of the various disciplines working to protect children and to educate the community about the problems of child abuse and neglect.

Domestic violence is a devastating social problem that affects every segment of the population. While system responses are primarily targeted towards adult victims of abuse, increasing attention is now focused on the children who witness domestic violence. Studies estimate that 10 to 20 percent of children are at risk for exposure to domestic violence. Research also indicates children exposed to domestic violence are at an increased risk of being abused or neglected, and that a majority of studies reveal there are adult and child victims in 30 to 60 percent of families who experience domestic violence. This manual provides background on this complex topic and addresses the following practice issues: The overlap between child maltreatment and domestic violence; The basics of domestic violence; Modifying child protection practice with families experiencing domestic violence; Enhancing caseworker safety and support in child protection cases involving domestic violence; and Building collaborative responses for families experiencing domestic violence. Appendices include a glossary of terms, child, victim, and alleged perpetrator domestic violence assessments, safety plans, and information about developing a memorandum of understanding.

Research shows that children exposed to domestic violence are at increased risk of being abused or neglected. This manual discusses the intersection of child maltreatment and domestic violence with a focus on child protection practice.

This manual examines the roles and responsibilities of child protective services (CPS) workers. It describes the purposes, key decisions, and issues of each stage of the CPS process and strategies for casework supervision, training, and support.

This manual examines the roles and responsibilities of child protective services (CPS) workers. It describes the purposes, key decisions, and issues of each stage of the CPS process: intake, initial assessment/investigation, family assessment, case planning, service provision, evaluation of family progress and case closure. The manual also covers strategies for casework supervision, training, and support. Appendices include a glossary of terms, resource listings of selected national organizations, State toll-free telephone numbers for reporting child abuse, and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. 8 tables and 173 references.

This directory lists organizations that provide information about child sexual abuse, including professional societies, advocacy centers, and toll-free helplines. The organizations offer research services, training, technical assistance, and referrals for professionals and the public.

Most children in foster care are not living with their fathers at the time they are removed from their homes, and once in substitute care, these children may experience even less contact with their nonresident fathers. Yet fathers and their relatives represent half of a child's potential family connections and kin resources. If ignored, important social or financial support for the child may be missed as permanency planning is conducted. Fathers or their relatives may be potential substitute caregivers for the child, may support a reunification plan with child support, respite or other assistance, or may voluntarily relinquish parental rights in support of an adoption plan. Without contact from the caseworker, such potential contributions cannot be assessed. Consequently, child welfare and child support agencies have placed new emphasis on identifying, locating, and involving nonresident fathers of children served by the child welfare system. (Author abstract, modified)

Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to timely, practical resources that help child welfare, adoption, and related professionals protect children and strengthen families. A service of the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Information Gateway covers a wide range of child welfare topics, including child abuse prevention, family preservation, foster care, domestic and intercountry adoption, and much more.

Mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, this annual report analyzes the performance of state child welfare agencies on seven child welfare outcomes including the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, permanency planning, placement stability, and the safety of children in foster care. See a list of all Child Welfare Outcomes Reports. Data were obtained from state reports provided to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) in 2003 -- 2006. The report contains information on how the Department of Health and Human Services can and does use information from the Outcomes Reports and the CFSR to assist States in improving their efforts to achieve positive outcomes for children and families and the findings of the analyses of State data with regard to the seven outcome measures. Numerous tables.

Child Welfare Outcomes reports provide information on the performance of States in seven outcome categories. The outcomes used in this report reflect widely accepted performance objectives for child welfare practice.

Child Welfare Outcomes reports provide information on the performance of States in seven outcome categories. The outcomes used in this report reflect widely accepted performance objectives for child welfare practice.

Mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, this annual report analyzes the performance of state child welfare agencies on seven child welfare outcomes including the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, permanency planning, placement stability, and the safety of children in foster care. See a list of all Child Welfare Outcomes Reports. Data were obtained from state reports provided to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) in 2004 -- 2007. The report contains information on how the Department of Health and Human Services can and does use information from the Outcomes Reports and the CFSR to assist States in improving their efforts to achieve positive outcomes for children and families and the findings of the analyses of State data with regard to the seven outcome measures. Numerous tables.

Child Welfare Outcomes reports provide information on the performance of States in seven outcome categories. The outcomes used in this report reflect widely accepted performance objectives for child welfare practice.

Mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, this annual report analyzes the performance of state child welfare agencies on seven child welfare outcomes including the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, permanency planning, placement stability, and the safety of children in foster care. See a list of all Child Welfare Outcomes Reports. Data were obtained from state reports provided to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) in 2006 -- 2009. The report contains information on how the Department of Health and Human Services can and does use information from the Outcomes Reports and the CFSR to assist States in improving their efforts to achieve positive outcomes for children and families and the findings of the analyses of State data with regard to the seven outcome measures. Numerous tables.

Child Welfare Outcomes reports provide information on the performance of States in seven outcome categories. The outcomes used in this report reflect widely accepted performance objectives for child welfare practice.

Mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, this annual report analyzes the performance of state child welfare agencies on seven child welfare outcomes including the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, permanency planning, placement stability, and the safety of children in foster care. See a list of all Child Welfare Outcomes Reports. Data were obtained from state reports provided to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) in 2007 -- 2010. The report contains information on how the Department of Health and Human Services can and does use information from the Outcomes Reports and the CFSR to assist States in improving their efforts to achieve positive outcomes for children and families and the findings of the analyses of State data with regard to the seven outcome measures. Numerous tables.

Mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, this annual report analyzes the performance of state child welfare agencies on seven child welfare outcomes including the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, permanency planning, placement stability, and the safety of children in foster care. See a list of all Child Welfare Outcomes Reports. Data were obtained from state reports provided to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) in 2008 -- 2011. The report contains information on how the Department of Health and Human Services can and does use information from the Outcomes Reports and the CFSR to assist States in improving their efforts to achieve positive outcomes for children and families and the findings of the analyses of State data with regard to the seven outcome measures. Numerous tables.

Child Welfare Outcomes reports provide information on the performance of States in seven outcome categories. The outcomes used in this report reflect widely accepted performance objectives for child welfare practice.

Child Welfare Outcomes reports provide information on the performance of States in seven outcome categories. The outcomes used in this report reflect widely accepted performance objectives for child welfare practice.

Mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, this annual report analyzes the performance of state child welfare agencies on seven child welfare outcomes including the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, permanency planning, placement stability, and the safety of children in foster care. See a list of all Child Welfare Outcomes Reports. Data were obtained from state reports provided to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) in 2009 -- 2012. The report contains information on how the Department of Health and Human Services can and does use information from the Outcomes Reports and the CFSR to assist States in improving their efforts to achieve positive outcomes for children and families and the findings of the analyses of State data with regard to the seven outcome measures. Numerous tables.

Mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, this annual report analyzes the performance of state child welfare agencies on seven child welfare outcomes including the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, permanency planning, placement stability, and the safety of children in foster care. Data were obtained from state reports provided to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systems (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) in 2010 -- 2013. The report contains information on how the Department of Health and Human Services can and does use information from the Outcomes Reports and the CFSR to assist States in improving their efforts to achieve positive outcomes for children and families and the findings of the analyses of State data with regard to the seven outcome measures. Numerous tables.

Child Welfare Outcomes reports provide information on the performance of States in seven outcome categories. The outcomes used in this report reflect widely accepted performance objectives for child welfare practice.

The Child Welfare Outcomes Report provides information on national performance as well as the performance of individual states in seven outcome categories. The outcomes reflect a consensus of these groups regarding important performance objectives for child welfare practice.

The Child Welfare Outcomes Report is created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to meet requirements of Section 203(a) of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA).1ASFA created Section 479A of the Social Security Act (the Act) to require HHS to issue an annual report that assesses state performance in operating child protection and child welfare programs under Titles IV-B and IV-E of the Act.2 Child Welfare Outcomes 1998 was the first report created in the Child Welfare Outcomes series of reports. The present report, Child Welfare Outcomes 2010–2014, is the 15th report since the series’ inception. 1 See appendix A for the current specifications of Section 479A of the Social Security Act, as created by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 and amended by P.L. 112-34 and P.L. 113-183. The Children’s Bureau, within the Administration for Children and Families, HHS, is responsible for this report. 2 The Title IV-E agency is the state agency authorized to use federal Title IV-E funds to support foster care, adoption assistance, and kinship guardianship assistance. Title IV-E has been amended on several occasions to provide federal funding to support foster care, adoption, and kinship guardian assistance. Title IV-B provides preventative and protective services for children. For a more detailed understanding of the history and changes over time, please see http://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/resource/title-iv-e-legislation-policy.

The Child Welfare Outcomes Report provides information on national performance as well as the performance of individual states in seven outcome categories. The outcomes reflect a consensus of these groups regarding important performance objectives for child welfare practice.

Provides an overview of the intersection of child welfare and parental incarceration; highlights practices to facilitate parent-child visits during incarceration, include parents in case planning, and work toward reunification; and points to resources to help caseworkers in their practice with these children and families.

Includes contact information for all Child Welfare State Complaint Offices, when available.

Electronic copies of products developed by the National Technical Assistance and Evaluation Center for Systems of Care including: evaluation reports; a Policy Action Guide with fillable forms in PDF and Word; short action briefs on family involvement, establishing partnerships in child welfare, gaining staff buy-in, and leadership development; and infrastructure toolkits on various topics around implementing a System of Care. Distributed on a flash drive.

List of child welfare terms in English and Spanish for child welfare professionals who work with Spanish-speaking or bilingual persons. The list was created with the help of bilingual child welfare professionals, representatives from community and national organizations, and advisors at the Department of Health and Human Services.

On October 24-26, 2005, the Children's Bureau (CB) sponsored a Workforce Institute at the Hilton Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, VA, with approximately 250 invited participants. The Institute had several purposes: 1) to highlight productive/action-planning strategies for recruiting and retaining a stable and skilled workforce; 2) to share best practices; 3) to develop innovative solutions to common challenges, and 4) to build a shared knowledge base. Much of the impetus for the Institute came from a cluster of CB's discretionary grants on child welfare staff recruitment and retention as well as the findings of recent workforce-related studies conducted by national child-serving organizations and associations. Both indicating a need to highlight successes and challenges is hiring and retaining a qualified workforce. Institute participants included public and private non-profit child welfare agency representatives; state and local agency directors and administrators; university faculty members, researchers and educators; representatives of national organizations, human resources professionals; CB grantees, and CB training and technical assistance (T&TA) network representatives. The synthesis groups provided an opportunity for attendees to think critically about workforce-related issues, to discuss possible solutions to workforce challenges and to make recommendations to the field. The synthesis groups' recommendations were used to produce this report. (Author abstract, modified)

The Children’s Bureau funded these projects to build capacity among State, local, or Tribal child welfare agencies and early childhood systems. The goal was to maximize the identification, enrollment, attendance, and supports of infants and young children, ages birth to 5 years, in foster care or under the supervision of child welfare services, into comprehensive, high-quality early care and education services. Communities built infrastructure to enhance their capacity to deliver multidisciplinary interventions to improve the socio-emotional and behavioral well-being of young children and their families through collaborative service delivery.

Discusses laws that extend legal protection to children who may be harmed by witnessing acts of domestic violence in their homes. The issues examined include the circumstances that constitute "witnessing" domestic violence and the legal consequence to persons who commit the domestic violence, such as enhanced penalties and fines.

Responding to concerns about the over-representation of minority children in the child welfare system, particularly African-American children, the Children's Bureau sponsored an exploratory qualitative study of the child welfare system's response to children of color. The project was intended to gain insight into the issue of over-representation (or racial disproportionality) from the perspective of the child welfare community, including agency administrators, supervisors, and direct service workers, and to describe the strategies child welfare and child-welfare serving agencies use to meet the needs of children and families of color in the child welfare system. The project team conducted site visits to child welfare agencies to talk with agency administrators, supervisors, and workers, among others, regarding the issue of over-representation, and to find out more about the types of programs, practices, and strategies that are being implemented to meet the needs of children and families of color, particularly African-American children and families. Nine sites were selected for participation, including: one agency each in Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, California, North Carolina, Virginia, and Texas, and two agencies in Minnesota. Participants were asked to describe their own general perceptions of the issue of overrepresentation, the types of policies, procedures or practices they thought would enable their agency to better serve children and families of color, and their own agencies' ongoing programs and policies that address the needs of children and families of color. Across all sites, an overwhelming majority of participants at all levels cited poverty, and poverty-related circumstances, as primary reasons for the over-representation of minority children in the child welfare system. In terms of directions for change, the overwhelming emphasis among participants was for agencies to focus on prevention and provide more front-end or prevention programs and services to families. Current efforts of agencies to serve children of color included prevention programs, recruitment of minority foster and adoptive families, systems reform, collaboration and contracted services, developing councils on over-representation, and focusing on agency practices, including implementing practices related to training and supervision of staff and hiring a diverse staff to better represent the population. A literature review, implications for policy and practice, and recommendations for future research are provided. 111 references. (Author abstract modified)

The Children's Bureau centennial year begins April 9, 2012! Trends come and go, but some things never change. Many of the initiatives and values that formed the foundation of the Children?s Bureau in 1912 remain at the core of our work today.

This directory describes the services and activities of the Children's Bureau's Training and Technical Assistance Network, including the National Resource Centers.

Discusses what we know about chronic child neglect and reviews ways to work with families experiencing chronic neglect, including critical elements of successful casework practice, examples of what agencies are doing, and ways agencies can integrate child welfare approaches to chronic neglect with prevention and early intervention efforts. Examples of promising interventions and programs are included.

Discusses laws that require members of the clergy to report cases of suspected child abuse and neglect. The issue of whether a member of the clergy can claim privileged communications as a reason for not reporting also is discussed. Full-text excerpts of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Studies of former foster youth who age out of care find that these youth generally experience high unemployment, unstable employment patterns, and earn very low incomes in the period between ages 18 and 21. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) requested this study to examine employment and earnings outcomes for youth, through their mid-twenties, who age out of foster care. The key question and focus of the study is whether foster youth catch up or continue to experience less employment and significantly lower earnings than their peers even into their mid-twenties. The study linked child welfare, Unemployment Insurance (UI), and public assistance administrative data to assess employment outcomes and welfare receipt for youth who age out of foster care. Child welfare data allow researchers to identify youth who age out of foster care, while the UI data provide information on employment and earnings. Public assistance data reveal later welfare receipt. Information is linked between sources using youths' social security numbers. Analyses are conducted in three states: California, Minnesota, and North Carolina. The sample of interest is youth who were 17 years old and in foster care in one of the participating states on December 31, 1998, and who eventually aged out of care. A comparison group of youth from low-income families is created using the public assistance data, and baseline national estimates are derived from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY97). Descriptive, multivariate, and trajectory analysis techniques are employed. Youth outcomes are assessed from age 16 to the first quarter of age 24. (Author abstract)

This manual reflects the widespread recognition that coordinated multidisciplinary responses are needed to address the complex needs of today's children and families. It offers guidance on how diverse community agencies, organizations, and individuals can join together to provide a web of support for families and create safe, healthy environments for children to thrive. The manual describes the benefits of community partnerships, outlines the steps to establishing and sustaining partnerships, and provides information on how to measure results. It also describes ways in which child protective services can adapt their practices to engage families' natural support systems and increase community involvement in child protection. The importance of responsive, family-centered approaches is underscored throughout the manual. The appendices provide valuable resources, including checklists, sample forms, and success stories.

Each of the systems of care principles has individual importance and relational value. Together, they are building blocks that form the infrastructure upon which each community's individualized system of care is built. The keystone to that infrastructure and the system of care itself is a community-based approach. This principle secures the others and allows the infrastructure to stand. Realizing that youth thrive in the context of their homes and communities, child welfare agencies and their partners can support a common or integrated case plan that is culturally appropriate, engages and involves the youth and family, is built upon the strengths of that family, and draws upon the assets of the community. This issue of A Closer Look examines the elements of a successful community-based approach to serving children and families involved with the child welfare system.

Ofrece una visión general del sistema de bienestar de menores, sus propósitos y funciones. Explica lo que sucede cuando se denuncia posible abuso o negligencia, cómo se procesan las denuncias, y qué les sucede a los adultos y a los niños involucrados en el sistema de bienestar de menores. Un diagrama de flujo demuestra cómo casos individuales podrían proceder a través del sistema de bienestar de menores.
Provides an overview of the purposes and functions of child welfare systems. It explains what happens when abuse or neglect are reported, how those reports are processed, and what happens to the adults and children who are involved in the child welfare system. A flowchart illustrates how cases may move through the child welfare system.

Ofrece información acerca de cómo las comunidades y los ciudadanos pueden fortalecer a las familias, proteger a los niños y prevenir el abuso y la negligencia de menores. Esta hoja informativa aborda temas como estrategias de prevención y factores de protección e incluye una lista de recursos para obtener más información.
Provides information on how communities and individual citizens can strengthen families, protect children, and prevent child abuse and neglect. This factsheet addresses prevention strategies, protective factors, and includes a list of resources for more information.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the National Consortium for Post Legal Adoption Services, a coalition of child welfare agencies and mental health providers in Michigan, Arizona, Illinois, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, received an Adoption Opportunities grant to create a "concept model of post adoption services." This diagram is a model of the guiding principles of adoption support and preservation and the characteristics and outcomes of post-adoption services.

Presents an overview of State laws that provide for the development and implementation of an alternative permanency plan concurrently with efforts to reunify the child with his or her family. Compared to more traditional sequential planning for permanency, in which one permanency plan is ruled out before an alternative is developed, concurrent planning may provide earlier permanency for a child. Full-text excerpts of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

Explores concurrent planning research and practice. Examines the role of the courts, how to assess for the probability of family reunification, and caseworker training. Provides State and local examples of concurrent planning practice.

Explains the long-term physical, psychological, behavioral, and societal consequences of child abuse and neglect. Topics discussed include factors affecting the consequences of child abuse and neglect, as well as the physical health, psychological, behavioral, and societal consequences. Additional resources are also provided.
Explica las consecuencias físicas, psicológicas, de comportamiento y sociales a largo plazo del abuso y negligencia de menores. Los asuntos discutidos incluyen los factores que afectan las consecuencias del maltrato de menores, como también las consecuencias de salud física, psicológicas, de comportamiento y sociales. También se incluyen recursos adicionales.

Este conjunto incluye 21 hojas informativas escritas para ayudar a los proveedores de servicios a ofrecer orientación a los padres y cuidadores sobre asuntos específicos, al mismo tiempo que apoyan los factores conocidos de protección de las familias contra el riesgo del abuso y el abandono infantil. Cada hoja informativa de fácil lectura se enfoca en medidas concretas que los padres pueden tomar para cuidar más efectivamente de sus hijos y así fortalecer a sus familias.
This set includes nineteen tip sheets written to help service providers offer guidance to parents and caregivers on specific issues, while supporting factors known to protect families from the risk of child abuse and neglect. Each easy-to-read factsheet focuses on concrete steps parents can take to care more effectively for their children and strengthen their family.

Este conjunto incluye 21 hojas informativas escritas para ayudar a los proveedores de servicios a ofrecer orientación a los padres y cuidadores sobre asuntos específicos, al mismo tiempo que apoyan los factores conocidos de protección de las familias contra el riesgo del abuso y el abandono infantil. Cada hoja informativa de fácil lectura se enfoca en medidas concretas que los padres pueden tomar para cuidar más efectivamente de sus hijos y así fortalecer a sus familias.
This set includes 21 tip sheets written to help service providers offer guidance to parents and caregivers on specific issues, while supporting factors known to protect families from the risk of child abuse and neglect. Each easy-to-read factsheet focuses on concrete steps parents can take to care more effectively for their children and strengthen their family.

Este conjunto incluye 23 hojas informativas escritas para ayudar a los proveedores de servicios a ofrecer orientación a los padres y cuidadores sobre asuntos específicos, al mismo tiempo que apoyan los factores conocidos de protección de las familias contra el riesgo del abuso y el abandono infantil. Cada hoja informativa de fácil lectura se enfoca en medidas concretas que los padres pueden tomar para cuidar más efectivamente de sus hijos y así fortalecer a sus familias.
This set includes 23 tip sheets written to help service providers offer guidance to parents and caregivers on specific issues, while supporting factors known to protect families from the risk of child abuse and neglect. Each easy-to-read factsheet focuses on concrete steps parents can take to care more effectively for their children and strengthen their family.

Presents an overview of state laws regarding the proper execution of consent when a child is placed for adoption. Consent refers to the agreement by a parent, or a person or agency acting in place of a parent, to relinquish a child for adoption and release all rights and duties with respect to that child. The topics covered include the persons who must consent to a child's adoption, the child's consent to his or her adoption, timeframes for consent, and guidelines for revocation of consent. Summaries of laws for all states and U.S. territories are included.

Includes website links to county and local child welfare agency listings in all 50 States and the District of Columbia.

Written for new child protective services (CPS) caseworkers, professionals working with children and families, other professionals and concerned community members, this manual addresses the definition, scope, causes, and consequences of child abuse and neglect. It presents an overview of prevention efforts and the child protection process from identification and reporting through investigation and assessment to service provision and case closure. This manual is intended to accompany each profession-specific manual in the User Manual Series. Appendices include a glossary of terms, resource listings of selected national organizations concerned with child maltreatment, and State toll-free child abuse reporting numbers. 150 references.

Summarizes State laws that mandate the type and frequency of court hearings that must be held to review the status of children placed in out-of-home care. At these hearings, the court reviews the efforts that have been made to address the family issues that necessitated the out-of-home placement as well as efforts to achieve permanency for the child. This document also describes lists the persons who may attend the hearings and permanency options.

Presents an overview of state statutes that designate the appropriate jurisdiction and venue for adoption proceedings. Jurisdiction refers to the type of court that has the authority to hear adoption cases; venue refers to the geographic location of the court. Summaries of laws for all states and U.S. territories are included.

The Toolkit for Court Performance Measures in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases provides practical and comprehensive guidance on how dependency courts can institute a system of performance measurement and create more efficient and effective operations. The result of a collaborative, broad-based effort between the Children's Bureau of the Department of Health and Human Services and OJJDP, the Toolkit provides practical, comprehensive guidance on how to undertake performance measurement to improve child and family outcomes of safety, permanence, and well-being and move toward more efficient and effective dependency court operations. Three leading court reform organizations -- the American Bar Association, the National Center for State Courts, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges -- provided technical support, and 12 pilot sites in which the Toolkit was tested also provided critical feedback and input. The Toolkit is designed to help courts: * Establish their baseline of current practices; * Diagnose what areas of service delivery they need to improve; * Make improvements to their operations; * Track their efforts; and * Identify, document, and replicate positive results. The publication is divided into five volumes. This volume, Guide to Judicial Workload Assessment, is designed to help courts establish their baseline practices; diagnose what they need to improve; and use that information to make improvements, track their efforts, and identify, document, and replicate positive results. (Author abstract)

The Toolkit for Court Performance Measures in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases provides practical and comprehensive guidance on how dependency courts can institute a system of performance measurement and create more efficient and effective operations. The result of a collaborative, broad-based effort between the Children's Bureau of the Department of Health and Human Services and OJJDP, the Toolkit provides practical, comprehensive guidance on how to undertake performance measurement to improve child and family outcomes of safety, permanence, and well-being and move toward more efficient and effective dependency court operations. Three leading court reform organizations -- the American Bar Association, the National Center for State Courts, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges -- provided technical support, and 12 pilot sites in which the Toolkit was tested also provided critical feedback and input. The Toolkit is designed to help courts: * Establish their baseline of current practices; * Diagnose what areas of service delivery they need to improve; * Make improvements to their operations; * Track their efforts; and * Identify, document, and replicate positive results. The publication is divided into five volumes. This volume, Implementation Guide, provides practical advice on how to set up a performance measurement team, assess court capacity, collect data, and use the data to plan reforms. (Author abstract)

The Toolkit for Court Performance Measures in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases provides practical and comprehensive guidance on how dependency courts can institute a system of performance measurement and create more efficient and effective operations. The result of a collaborative, broad-based effort between the Children's Bureau of the Department of Health and Human Services and OJJDP, the Toolkit provides practical, comprehensive guidance on how to undertake performance measurement to improve child and family outcomes of safety, permanence, and well-being and move toward more efficient and effective dependency court operations. Three leading court reform organizations -- the American Bar Association, the National Center for State Courts, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges -- provided technical support, and 12 pilot sites in which the Toolkit was tested also provided critical feedback and input. The Toolkit is designed to help courts: * Establish their baseline of current practices; * Diagnose what areas of service delivery they need to improve; * Make improvements to their operations; * Track their efforts; and * Identify, document, and replicate positive results. The publication is divided into five volumes. This volume, Technical Guide, describes all 30 court performance measures for child abuse and neglect cases. (Author abstract)

The Toolkit for Court Performance Measures in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases provides practical and comprehensive guidance on how dependency courts can institute a system of performance measurement and create more efficient and effective operations. The result of a collaborative, broad-based effort between the Children's Bureau of the Department of Health and Human Services and OJJDP, the Toolkit provides practical, comprehensive guidance on how to undertake performance measurement to improve child and family outcomes of safety, permanence, and well-being and move toward more efficient and effective dependency court operations. Three leading court reform organizations -- the American Bar Association, the National Center for State Courts, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges -- provided technical support, and 12 pilot sites in which the Toolkit was tested also provided critical feedback and input. The Toolkit is designed to help courts: * Establish their baseline of current practices; * Diagnose what areas of service delivery they need to improve; * Make improvements to their operations; * Track their efforts; and * Identify, document, and replicate positive results. The publication is divided into five volumes. This volume, User's Guide to Nonautomated Data Collection, provides instructions on how to use instruments to measure court performance. Each chapter is devoted to a specific instrument and describes the purpose of the instrument, provides tips on how to use it, and explains how the data can be used to assess court performance on a national level. (Author abstract)

Brinda ayuda para los padres (biológicos, de crianza y adoptivos) y otros proveedores de cuidado para que puedan entender los retos que conlleva criar un niño que ha experimentado maltrato y conozcan acerca de los recursos a su disposición.Intended to help parents (birth, foster, and adoptive) and other caregivers better understand the challenges of caring for a child who has experienced maltreatment and learn about the resources available for support.

Analiza la naturaleza del trauma (particularmente trauma causado por abuso o negligencia), sus efectos en niños y jóvenes y las maneras de ayudar a un niño que ha experimentado trauma. Los padres biológicos o de crianza que no entienden las consecuencias del trauma pueden malinterpretar el comportamiento de su hijo, y sus intentos de lidiar con un comportamiento problemático pueden no ser efectivos y, en algunos casos, hasta pueden causar daño. Al aumentar su comprensión sobre el trauma, los padres biológicos y de crianza pueden apoyar mejor la sanación de su hijo, de la relación padre-hijo, y de su familia como un todo.Discusses the nature of trauma, especially abuse or neglect, the effects of trauma on children and youth, and ways to help a child who has experienced trauma. Parents or foster parents who do not understand the effects of trauma may misinterpret their child’s behavior, and attempts to address troubling behavior may be ineffective or, in some cases, even harmful. By understanding trauma, parents and foster parents can help support a child’s healing, the parent-child relationship, and their family as a whole.

Discute cómo los padres de crianza y adoptivos pueden ayudar a niños y adolescentes que han experimentado abuso sexual. Ofrece información básica sobre qué es el abuso sexual y enlaces a otra información para ayudar a los padres a aprender sobre el tema. La hoja informativa incluye sugerencias acerca de cómo establecer directrices para la seguridad y privacidad familiar, como también sobre cuándo se debe buscar ayuda profesional y dónde buscar tal ayuda. Discusses how foster and adoptive parents can help children and adolescents who have experienced sexual abuse. It provides basic information about sexual abuse and links to other information so that parents can educate themselves about the topic. The factsheet suggests ways to establish guidelines for safety and privacy in the family, and it offers suggestions about when to seek professional help and where to find such help.

This manual, part of the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect's User Manual Series, helps caseworkers improve their assistance to children and families in crisis. Sections present a brief overview of crisis; define crisis, identify the elements and phases of crises, highlight client feelings during a crisis, and discuss the psychological effects of crises; and outline the goals of crisis intervention and describe a nine-step crisis intervention model. The manual offers suggestions for involving the entire family in the crisis intervention assessment process; examines specific treatment approaches and techniques, including community systems, multimodal, cognitive behavioral, task-centered, family, and eclectic team approaches; addresses issues relevant to family situations involving marital conflict, step-parenting conflict, unrealistic expectations about children, substance abuse, spouse abuse, mental illness, multiple problems, and poverty; and gives suggestions for termination and follow-up. The manual also identifies the professional supports needed by crisis intervention workers and describes family-centered crisis response models, including Homebuilders, Families, Inc., intensive family services, the Family Crisis Program, and the Interagency Sexual Abuse Council. A glossary of terms and a list of resources are included. Numerous references.

Discusses State laws that authorize cross-reporting and information sharing among the agencies that must respond to reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. Typically, reports are shared among social services agencies, law enforcement departments, and prosecutors' offices. Full-text excerpts of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.

While today's child welfare administrators address the challenges of improving child safety, well-being, and permanency, they also must meet the needs of an increasingly culturally and ethnically diverse child welfare population. The disproportionate numbers of children of color who are part of the child welfare population represent only the tip of the iceberg in dealing with cultural issues. Children of color are overrepresented in almost every part of the child welfare system. However, child welfare systems are not alone in facing culturally significant issues such as disproportionality. This issue of A Closer Look defines cultural competency, reviews its history in public child welfare, and highlights strategies to operationalize cultural competency in a systems of care framework for change. The report draws on current research in the field as well as the knowledge and experiences of nine grant communities currently in the fifth year of a 5-year demonstration grant. (Author abstract)