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Summarizes the importance of obtaining as much thorough and accurate medical, genetic, and social history information as possible about prospective adoptive children. This factsheet addresses the questions prospective adoptive parents should ask their adoption agency, reasons some information may not be available, and where to find more information.

This Guide is designed to help you prepare your new caseworkers to participate in their Core training, enable them to successfully complete all the Common Core training components, and then to transfer what they learned in the Common Core to their job in your district/agency. The guide: (1) Describes the step-by-step process of preparation for and participation in the Common Core training, including the use of computer-based training and iLinc components; (2) Provides required on-the-job (OJT)/field training and transfer of learning (TOL) activities necessary for trainees to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom on the job; and (3) Provides tools to evaluate trainees' progress throughout their classroom and OJT/field training experiences. The guide is divided into 9 sections, plus the Appendices. The sections are:1. Development Process for New Child Welfare Caseworkers; 2. Common Core Training Overview Chart; 3. Review of Pre-, Mid- and Post-Core Caseworker Development Team Conference Process; 4. Common Core Training Performance Expectations and Guidelines; 5. Protocol for Administering the Common Core Pre-Test; 6. Computer-Based Training Components; 7. On-the-Job/Field Training Tasks; 8. Initial Child Welfare Caseworker Job Readiness Self-Assessment; and 9. Child Welfare Caseworker Job Readiness Review. (Author abstract modified)

Highlights one foster family that has taken in more than 200 children over the course of 27 years. Claudia and Lin already had three biological children when they decided to become a foster home in 1984. When they welcomed the first child into their care, it opened their eyes to the benefits fostering could provide. While fostering, Lin and Claudia served as advocates for their children and tried to help their children's biological families heal by including the birth parents in family activities and events. In 2008, Claudia and Lin were named Foster Parents of the Year by the Council of Governments in Washington, DC. Since retiring from her government job, Claudia has gone on to train other foster parents in Arlington, Virginia, and she authored the memoir, One BIG Family: A Foster Mother's Journey With 200 Children. This Real-Life Story was developed as part of National Foster Care Month 2019.

Presents the story of a woman who was formerly in foster care who overcame many struggles, including poverty, mental illness, and abuse. The statistics were stacked against her as she grew up in the foster care system and moved through 35 different placements and four failed adoptions. When she graduated from high school, she was 19 years old and living out of her car. But she found her inner strength and started teaching a social media class on compassion and change and created an immersive art piece titled, "My Sky Is Falling," which she performed on the street in front of the United Nations. She then took her files from her experience in the child welfare system and wrote, Little Wild Thing, a Diary. She is now a teacher at Columbia University. With the proper resources, she believes that any child in foster care can achieve change and success just as she did. This Real-Life Story was developed as part of National Foster Care Month 2019.

This two-page flier provides a brief listing of online adoption and foster care resources available from AdoptUsKids and Child Welfare Information Gateway. One side is printed in English; the other is printed in Spanish.

Ofrece una introducción a las muchas rutas disponibles para construir una familia a través de la adopción. Brinda una comprensión básica de los diferentes tipos de adopción e indica otros recursos para información adicional. Incluye información acerca de las leyes Estatales que rigen la adopción, cómo escoger una agencia o proveedor de servicios de adopción, cómo completar un estudio de hogar, el proceso de colocación y cómo completar los documentos legales necesarios. Provides a basic understanding of the different types of adoption and guides readers to relevant resources. It begins by describing the different types of adoption and goes on to discuss State laws governing adoption, choosing an agency or adoption services provider, completing the home study, being matched with a child, and completing the necessary legal documents.

This resource listing provides contact information for organizations that serve and have information about adult survivors of child abuse. Each entry includes a brief description of the organization.

Organizations that provide services to support and advocate for the children and families of incarcerated people. If you are aware of any others, please contact Child Welfare Information Gateway at OrganizationUpdates@childwelfare.gov. Specific resources about family centered services for incarcerated parents, their children, and families may be found on our website at: Supporting Children and Families Affected by Parental Incarceration.

This resource listing provides the contact information of select organizations that are concerned with child maltreatment. Each entry includes a brief description of the function of the organization and e-mail and web addresses. To find additional organizations, search the Information Gateway database at http://www.childwelfare.gov/organizations/.

This resource list provides the addresses and phone numbers of organizations that serve victims of family violence, professionals, and researchers. Each entry includes a brief description of the function of the organization.

This directory lists national organizations that disseminate information about child fatalities. The organizations provide advocacy, professional training, program development, public awareness, and research services.

This resource list provides the addresses and phone numbers of organizations that maintain information for professionals about legal issues regarding child welfare. A short description of each organization is included. The organizations address children's rights, the prosecution of child abuse, state court proceedings, child welfare policy analysis, and advocacy.

Includes selected national organizations that provide information and resources on immigration issues related to children and families.

This resource listing provides the addresses and phone numbers of organizations that maintain information about the substance abuse in the context of child welfare. Each entry includes a brief description of the function of the organization.

Includes resources for and about youth involved with child welfare.

In recent years, systems of care principles have been increasingly adopted because of their potential to support efforts to improve child welfare and other human service systems in ways that lead to increased safety, permanency, and well-being for children, adolescents, and their families. However, while the systems of care approach has become more widespread, a clear understanding of what defines a system of care and how it operates has not kept pace. This issue of A Closer Look defines systems of care and discusses how the approach might be best applied in public child welfare settings. (Author abstract)